Abstract
This study was focused on the prediction of the approprite tool life by clarifying the correlation between progressive drill wear and AE signal. on drilling SM45C the following results have been obtained; RMSAE, AE CUM-CNTS had a tendency to increase slowly according to wear size, at 1000rpm, 150mm/min However, these increased suddenly in the range of 0.20~0.22mm wear, about 102 holes and had a tendency to go up and down until the drilling was impossible. The sudden increase of AE signals shows that something is wrong and it is closely connected with drill wear and chipping. It also makes the working surface bad From the above results, AE signals could be used to monitor the drill's condition and to determine the right time to change tools.
