Abstract: A numerical control apparatus for controlling a cutting machine for cutting a workpiece according to a predetermined tool path wherein the tool path is defined relative to a coordinate system by a cutting program. The numerical control apparatus includes circuitry for generating data representing a coordinate system guide and a graphic display device for displaying the coordinate system guide so that a program designer can determine whether the tool path is defined relative to a desired coordinate system.

Abstract: A numerical control system in which possible interference between tools can be checked on a graphics display unit and corrected, and complex workpiece and cutting path shapes are displayed without interference. In accordance with the invention, actual tool shapes in simplified form are displayed for checking interference. Two display memories are provided so that, while one of the display memories is being used for active display, data can be written into or erased from the other. When the data entry and removal is complete, the display memories are switched over so that the time during which portions of the displayed image disappear from the screen is reduced to a negligible length. The workpiece shape is displayed as a shaded area, and any area in which a tool tip interferes is eliminated during simulated machining of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for displaying the configuration of a workpiece and the machining device of a numerical control machining apparatus in which it is possible to individually and simultaneously display enlarged images of selected portions. An input section of the numerical control apparatus is operated to input data indicative of the machining apparatus, the initial configuration of the workpiece, and the desired final configuration of the workpiece. This data is operated upon to obtain configuration data for display on the graphics display device. A selection number is then inputted for selecting the regions from the figure to be displayed. Viewing points representing centers of the various figures and images and scale factors for the plurality of regions to be displayed are then inputted. The images of the regions to be displayed are next scaled and clipped accordingly. The image data is then stored in the memory section for ultimate display on the graphics display device.

Abstract: A tool display method for a numerically controlled lathe with which the configuration of a tool which conforms very closely to that of the actual tool can be displayed. Data representing a plurality of tool configuration types and dimensions of configurations of cutters as functions of a reference dimension according to the tool configuration types is stored in a memory of a numerical control unit body. A plurality of items of tool data are then inputted by operation of an input section, and an optimum tool configuration is selected in accordance with the tool data thus inputted. Dimensions of a cutter configuration according to the tool data are then calculated with reference to the optimum tool configuration type which has been selected. A tool mounting direction and whether or not a tool edge should be displayed are determined in accordance with the tool data.

Abstract: A numerical control device stores dimensional details of a workpiece, a chuck, and a tailstock as coordinate data items in a memory, computes the positions and shapes of the workpiece, the chuck, and the tailstock based on the coordinate data items, and displays the workpiece, the chuck, and the tailstock as graphic patterns on a display unit based on the computed results. The computation is simplified by using coordinates of a relative coordinate system as the coordinate data items for graphic display.