Design and fabrication of a triaxial cutting force dynamometer based on MEMS technique

This paper presents the design, fabrication and test of a triaxial cutting force dynamometer based on MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) technology. MEMS chip was utilized as transition element of the designed dynamometer because of its excellent sensitivity, favorable accuracy and high integration. In order to measure triaxial cutting forces, an innovative structure of two mutual-perpendicular octagonal rings was proposed and four MEMS chips were mounted on specified locations for sensing and generating force signals. Static calibration test illustrates that the dynamometer possesses favorable performances when compared to previous works; dynamic metal cutting experiment demonstrates that the dynamometer owns great potential for real time cutting force measurement in turning operation.