Abstract: To optimize an automatically optimized machining time for machining a workpiece in a machine tool, an original parts program is loaded into a machine tool controller. The machining of the workpiece using the original parts program is simulated, where a motion path generated by the original parts program in the machine tool is determined. The motion path is classified into at least one area of potential optimization in which there is no workpiece contact. The at least one area of potential optimization is assigned a tolerance space. An optimized motion path is determined within the tolerance space. The machining of the workpiece using the modified parts program is simulated. The optimized motion path is displayed and marked. Once a user has approved the modification in the parts program, machining of the workpiece takes place using the modified parts program.

Abstract: A sub-program carried out by a numerical control unit that controls a production machine is disclosed. The numerical control unit transmits a piece of information identifying a program instruction, by means of which the sub-program was generated to a CAM system after the instruction is selected by a user through an operator interface. The numerical control unit receives, a parameterized description of the sequence of program instructions containing the selected program instruction from the CAM system. The numerical control unit outputs the parameterized description to the user via the operator interface and receives a modification of the parameterized description from the user. The numerical control unit then transmits the modified parameterized description to the CAM system and receives a modified sub-program corresponding to the modified parameterized description from the CAM system.

Abstract: A subroutine executable by the numeric controller to control a production machine is disclosed. A user selects at least one program instruction of the subroutine and the numeric controller outputs a parameterized description of the selected program instruction or of a sequence of program instructions that contains the selected program instruction to the user using the user interface. The user enters a change in the parameterized description and stores a modified subroutine that corresponds to the changed parameterized description. The numeric controller sends a message to a predetermined address identifying. the original subroutine and the change made in a form that can be evaluated in automated fashion. The CAM system that generated the subroutine uses the message to independently and automatically ascertain a data record on which the original subroutine is based and to modify the data record accordingly.