In this paper, the dynamic characteristics of micro-drilling process under different cutting conditions and the resulting correlation to tool wear have been studied. Two types of drills, three spindle speeds and two kinds of workpiece materials were used. In-process cutting forces and accelerations were measured. The signals were analyzed in both the time and frequency domains. Some interesting phenomena were observed in the dynamic time-history response during drilling. Progressive functions with the proper order were obtained to describe the curve of the average thrust force with the number of the holes drilled. Dynamic features which were sensitive to tool wear were found. The changing trends of these dynamic features as the drill wear progresses show a feasibility to develop an on-line drill wear monitoring system by evaluating the changes in dynamic features.
