Simple, real-time monitoring of small-diameter tool condition is possible In many machining operations, the most critical machining processes involve small-diameter tools. Until now, monitoring power was not considered a good way to control the integrity of such tooling because the monitoring systems available in the market simply did not allow it. Often including low-sensitivity sensors, like Hall effect sensors, Rogowski coils, or even Digital Drive Data (data values available on the control bus of the drive motor electronics), these systems were just not able to detect the power variations generated by small-diameter tools. Keep in mind that the power consumption of a 0.1mm drill in steel is only around 0.2 watts! When the resolution of the system you install is no better than 1 or 2 watts, there is no chance to detect anything about the tool.