A useful method to detect tool breakage suing neural network of cutting force signal is porposed and implemented in a basic cutting process. Cutting signal is gathered by tool dynamometer and normalized as a preprocessing. The cutting force signal level is continually monitored and compared with the predefined level. The neural network has been trained normalized sample data of the normal operation and cata-strophic tool failure using backpropagation learning process. The develop[ed system is verified to be very effective in real-time usage with minor modification in conventional cutting processes.