Abstract: A tabular form element arrangement data describing the arrangement of various component elements constituting a production system along the work flow in a combination of process identification names with component element names, is prepared. Element definition files describing programs for simulating the operations of various component elements are prepared. A program preparation unit sequentially reads component element names combined with process identification names from the element arrangement data and sequentially reads the element definition files corresponding to the read component element names. A variable array containing variables described in respective element definition files is prepared simultaneously along with an initial process program array containing programs described in respective definition files and a simulation program array.

Abstract: A tabular form element arrangement data 3, which describes the arrangement of various component elements constituting a production system along the work flow in a combination of process identification names with component element names, is prepared. Element definition files 4 describing programs for simulating the operations of various component elements are prepared for various component elements. Program preparation means 2 sequentially reads component element names combined with process identification names from the element arrangement data 3 and sequentially reads the element definition files 4 corresponding to the read component element names. Then, a variable array 6 containing variables described in respective element definition files 4 is prepared and at the same time, an initial process program array 8 containing programs described in respective definition files 4 and a simulation program array 9 are prepared.

Abstract: A machining data generator generates NC machining data specifying machining operations for shaping the external shape of a piston. The machining data generator uses a machining data sheet (provided by a spreadsheet software) describing noncircular part shape data on the shape of a noncircular part and condition data (machining condition data and shape data on shapes of parts other than the noncircular part necessary for shaping the overall shape of the piston). The machining data sheet is prepared beforehand. A machining data generation program reads the machining data sheet in step S4, recognizes directives “start cell” and “end cell” defining a cell region and described in the machining data sheet and fetches matrix data from the cell region in step S5, and fetches condition data other than the noncircular part shape data from the machining data sheet, and calculates NC machining data to be given to a NC machine tool on the basis of the condition data and the noncircular part shape data in step S6.

Abstract: A machining data generator generates NC machining data specifying machining operations for shaping the external shape of a piston. The machining data generator uses a machining data sheet (provided by a spreadsheet software) describing noncircular part shape data on the shape of a noncircular part and condition data (machining condition data and shape data on shapes of parts other than the noncircular part necessary for shaping the overall shape of the piston). The machining data sheet is prepared beforehand. A machining data generation program reads the machining data sheet in step S4, recognizes directives “start cell” and “end cell” defining a cell region and described in the machining data sheet and fetches matrix data from the cell region in step S5, and fetches condition data other than the noncircular part shape data from the machining data sheet, and calculates NC machining data to be given to a NC machine tool on the basis of the condition data and the noncircular part shape data in step S6.