7. Different types of assistance

The role of machining assistants is framed by two main functions:

• main function: on a mesoscopic scale (tool/material interaction), to support the material removal process;

• auxiliary function: on a macroscopic scale (human/machine tool interaction), do not disadvantage HSE functionalities, machine tool technical functionalities and machined part technical functionalities.

An important point is that auxiliary functions can compromise the industrial use of machining assistance, even if the main functions are exceptional.

However, the fundamental role of a machining assistance system is to help the machining process to better remove material during an operation (main function). In fact, a machining assistance system should help in four ways, namely by assisting :...