Abstract: A curve interpolation method capable of obtaining a curve approximating an original curve based on a sequence of command points within a tolerance set for the original curve, and performing interpolation on the obtained curve. Points Q1, . . . , Q2n are interpolated between respective two adjacent command points (P0, P1), (P1, P2), . . . , (Pn−1, Pn) as shape-defining points. The shape-defining points are positioned within a tolerance width 2w set to the original curve. One shape-defining point and shape-defining points surrounding the one shape-defining point are successively selected and an approximate curve for the selected shape-defining points is successively created. The one shape-defining point is moved towards the approximate curve to determine a modified shape-defining point for the one shape-defining point. A smooth curve passing a sequence of the modified shape-defining points is created and interpolation for machining is performed on the created curve.

Abstract: A plurality of paths controlled by a multi-path numerical control device is divided into several groups in advance. When an alarm or single block stoppage occurs in any one path while the multi-path numerical control device is being operated, the operations of all the paths in the group to which the path belongs are stopped, whereas the operations of paths belonging to other groups are not stopped but instead continued.

Abstract: Any commands, selected in a program, are set as a reference time data command, an elapsed time data command and a time data command. The program is read and original processing of the commands is performed, and if the reference time data command is read, a time then is stored as a reference time. If the elapsed time data command is read, elapsed time from the reference time is acquired and stored as execution elapsed time. If the time data command is read, the time then is stored as an execution time. Thus, it is possible to easily check the execution time of any program command.

Abstract: An indirect axis address command, “AX[controlled-axis number]=commanded movement amount”, which can designate a controlled axis to be commanded through a controlled axis number is used. The controlled axes number can be stored in a variable by “variable #100=AXNUM [axis address]”, for example. In this way, it is possible to cause different axes to carry out the same operations by the same program by changing the axis addresses stored in the variables. Because the controlled axis is designated by using the controlled axis number, operation can be performed.

Abstract: A curve interpolation method capable of obtaining a curve approximating an original curve based on a sequence of command points within a tolerance set for the original curve, and performing interpolation on the obtained curve. Points Q1, . . . , Q2n are interpolated between respective two adjacent command points (P0, P1), (P1, P2), . . . , (Pn−1, Pn) as shape-defining points. The shape-defining points are positioned within a tolerance width 2w set to the original curve. One shape-defining point and shape-defining points surrounding the one shape-defining point are successively selected and an approximate curve for the selected shape-defining points is successively created. The one shape-defining point is moved towards the approximate curve to determine a modified shape-defining point for the one shape-defining point. A smooth curve passing a sequence of the modified shape-defining points is created and interpolation for machining is performed on the created curve.

Abstract: Information of a machine control means to be selected for each system is inputted through a manual input unit and then stored in a storage unit for storing a selection state of the machine control means through a machine control means selecting unit. A machine control means execution unit executes the machine control means for each control system independently according to the selection state stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A three-dimensional cutter compensation system provides cutter compensation for machining a workpiece with a cutter having a round edge and an axis which is tiltable in any optional direction in three-dimensional space. The three-dimensional cutter compensation system includes a cutter direction vector calculating unit for calculating a cutter direction vector from present position control axes. The control axes control the tilt of the cutter. A cutter offset memory stores a radius of the cutter and a radius of an arc of the edge of the cutter while a programmed path calculating unit calculates a programmed path commanded by a machining program. A cutter compensation vector calculating unit calculates a cutter compensation vector from the cutter direction vector, the radius of the cutter and the radius of the arc of the edge of the cutter, and the programmed path. The cutter is then shifted in response to the cutter compensation vector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a numerical control apparatus for controlling a numerically controlled machine tool such as a hobbing machine and the like. An axis control circuit (14) provided with a synchronization control means (8) controls the rpm of a spindle motor (5) and the rpm of a servo motor (11) based on feedback pulses supplied from a position coder (7) connected to a hob axis (3), so that a ratio of the rpm of the hob axis (3) to the rpm of a C-axis (13) has a given value. A first internal counter (15a) monitors the number of feedback pulses supplied from the position coder (7) and a second internal counter (15b) monitors the number of pulses distributed to the C-axis (13), and when a ratio of the rpm of the hob axis (3) to the rpm of the C-axis (13) is to be changed, a correction pulse calculation means (9) calculates correction pulses based on the number of rotation pulses of the hob axis (3) and the number of the rotation pulses of the C-axis (13) counted by the first and second internal counters (15a, 15b).

Abstract: With a laser processing apparatus, the membrane of a membrane-covered film is accurately processed with a scanning laser beam linearly both in the direction of conveyance of the film and in a widthwise direction forming an angle with the direction of conveyance simultaneously, and particles splashed or scattered from the membrane by application of the laser beam are positively removed for protection of the film and the laser beam applying heads. A method of applying a scanning laser beam to a workpiece to be processed where the scanning beam is so formed that the portion of the workpiece which is processed with it shows a smooth boundary in the direction of processing.