Abstract: A machine tool has a worktable slidably mounted on a bed for movement along a horizontal X axis opposite a spindle which is journalled for rotation about a horizontal Z axis perpendicular to the X axis, the spindle being slidably mounted on the bed for movement along the Z axis toward and away from the worktable and for movement along a vertical Y axis perpendicular to both the X and Z axes. A workpiece storage support is rotatably mounted on a frame adjacent to the worktable on the side thereof opposite the spindle. The worktable and workpiece storage support have guideways thereon for slidably receiving a pallet carrying a workpiece, the guideways being positioned so that they can be aligned to permit a pallet to be slid from the workpiece storage support to the worktable and vice versa along the Z axis. A pallet transfer bar is provided which is dimensioned on one end to fit in the spindle and is dimensioned on the other end to engage a pallet.

Abstract: by utilizing a set of program modification registers, a numerically controlled machining program can be written with loops and branches like a computer program. The order and action of the program blocks can be made dependent upon data contained in the program modification registers. The register data may be altered by the program as it runs or by external inputs to the control circuits.