Abstract: A numerical control system performs path interpolation calculations for the control of highly dynamic processes having different path contour geometries wherein a vector having a length L connects in linear form a first point P1 to a second point P2. These points are located in three dimensional Cartesian space having axes x, y, and z. Length L has Cartesian components X, Y and Z and is subject to an angular rotation C about the z axis. The system also has process parameters S and K wherein S is an address identifying the parameter to be modified and K identifies the modified parameter value. A coarse interpolator outputs the path elements L, X, Y, Z and C and the parameters S and K between path increments as course interpolations which are a function of the path contour geometry but are independent of time frame. A fine interpolator having an intermediate memory is connected downstream from the course interpolator. The fine interpolator outputs the path elements and parameters as fine interpolations.

Abstract: A servocontrol device for controlling a distance between an erosion electrode and a workpiece in an erosion machine calculates an error signal from an actual distance between the erosion electrode and the workpiece and a desired distance. The error signal undergoes low pass filtering, before it is used as a control signal for a drive connected to the erosion electrode to drive the latter. For optimizing the dynamic characteristics, the servocontrol device has a variable cutoff frequency, which is dependent on at least one parameter of a processing pulse supplied to the erosion electrode.

Abstract: A coarse interpolator is adapted for use in a numerical control system for performing path interpolation calculations for the control of highly dynamic processes. These processess have different path contour geometries wherein a vector having a length L connects in linear form a first point P1 to a second point P2. These points are located in three dimensional Cartesian space having axes X, Y, and Z, Length L has Cartesian components X, Y and Z and is subject to an angular rotation C about the z axis. The interpolator responds to a group of predetermined vector lengths, starting with the maximum length, in order to calculate the path elements L, X, Y, Z and C for the maximum length vector. A path error E is then determined for the path elements so calculated. The error E is then compared with a praedetemined maximum error value. If the error E does not exceed the maximum value, the calculated path elements are outputted.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for purging the eroding zone during electroerosive countersinking, in which one or more short-stroke second raising lowering movements of a tool electrode relative to a workpiece are performed in the dielectric between two first long stroke raising/lowering movements and the frequency and/or height of stroke of the raising/lowering movements is automatically adapted to the conditions in the working gap.