ABSTRACT
Monitoring cutting forces during mechanical machining is needed for reducing geometric errors, improving efficiency and optimising and modelling the processing (Sukvittayawong and Inasak 1991). Methods which have been used include the deployment of strain gauges, piezoelectric devices and conductive polymer and magneto-elastic materials (Elbestawi 1999). Efforts have been made to integrate force sensors into machine tools (Byrne and O'Donell 2007). Piezoelectric force transducers are susceptible to electromagnetic interference and do not have the dynamic response needed for high-speed machining. Optical methods such as the use of optical fibres and photo-elasticity have been proposed (Jina et al. 1995).
