Characterising the Energy Consumption of Machine Tool Actuator Components Using Pattern Recognition

The efficiency of energy usage, coupled with the cost and availability of energy, have a substantial impact on the competitiveness and economic viability of manufacturing enterprises. The current uncertainty associated with energy prices has a significant impact on the manufacturing sector as this industry is exposed to the cost of energy at every level of the supply chain. Energy effi ciency varies dramatically between different industries, processes, and even between different facilities manufacturing similar products. In terms of machine tool energy efficiency, the design, age, maintenance strategy, and operating parameters all impact on the ov erall efficiency. Developing a complete understanding of the energy consumed by individual machine components during machining facilitates the optimisation of machine tool design and also NC programs. This paper examines the application of pattern recognition techniques to the area of machine component recognition. Initially, an overview of commonly used pattern recognition systems is outlined before the design and application of a customised solution, applied to a complex manufacturing problem is described. The system design, implementation, and results are discussed before the paper concludes with some of the limitations associated with the implemented methodology.