Abstract: An NC data execution method which permits an efficient checking of the validity/invalidity of NC data through a simple operation. In an NC data execution process, a processor of an automatic programming apparatus reads out NC data, block by block, from a memory (S2), and determines whether or not the read NC data block satisfies an NC data execution interrupt condition, e.g., whether or not the data block contains a specific code (S3). When the interrupt condition is fulfilled, the data block is displayed at an input display field on the screen (S4), and then the NC data execution, including a graphic display operation based on the content of the data block satisfying the interrupt condition, e.g., a display of a tool path and the reading and display of the next block, is automatically interrupted, whereby the operator is allowed to thoroughly check the data block satisfying the interrupt condition.

Abstract: A method for defining a profile in an automatic programming system containing previously designated figure elements. Only figure elements which intersect a designated starting point are provided for selection in defining a profile element. Upon selection of a figure element, only points which intersect the figure element along the direction selected are provided for selection of the endpoint of the profile element. Once the starting point and endpoint are selected, the profile element is stored as part of the profile. The endpoint is made a new starting point and the process is repeated until the endpoint selected is the original starting point, at which time the profile has been completely defined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a corner shape insertion method for inserting a corner shape such as a chamfered or rounded corner portion having prescribed dimensions at a corner of a profile (OLF) comprising a plurality of figure elements (S1-S8). When limits (indicated by the dashed-line segment) of the profile in which corner shapes are to be inserted is specified by designating two figure elements (S1, S5) of the prolfile (OLF), angles defined by mutually adjacent ones of the figure elements within the limits of the profile are obtained and it is determined whether the angles reside within set angular limits. If an angle lies within the set angular limits, the corner shapes (C2, C4) of prescribed dimensions are inserted between the figure elements.

Abstract: A method of creating coreless-machining NC data for wire-cut electric discharge machining is performed by an automatic programming device. After reading out a contour (C1) of a machining area (A1), a wire extension position (P0), and the maximum cutting amount from a part program, the programming device creates NC data used for moving a wire from the wire extension position (P0) to the central position (P1) of the machining area while effecting the electric discharge machining (S1), determines a spiral tool locus constituted by circular loci (PS1 to PS3) which are similar in shape to a pattern representing the machining area contour and which are separated from each other by the maximum cutting amount, and straight loci respectively connecting the circular loci to each other, and creates NC data effecting rough machining along the straight and circular loci which are located inside the inner circumferential curve (C2) of a finish machining area (S2).

Abstract: The invention includes defining a profile of a part having a plurality of similar shapes (F1, F2, F4, F5); creating a part program for machining a first similar shape (F1), serving as a reference, by a motion definition statement; specifying similar shapes (F2, F4, F5), which are to be machined under machining conditions identical with those of the first similar shape (F1), in a state where the profile of the part is displayed on a display screen; and creating part programs for the specified similar shapes (F2, F4, F5) using the part program of the first similar shape (F1).

Abstract: The method of the invention includes displaying on a display screen (CRT), a profile (A) and one or more figure elements (Sn, St, Ck) for specifying a shape added to the profile (A), designating a predetermined figure element (circular arc C.sub.1 ') of the profile (A) and designating the figure elements (Sn, St, Ck), which constitute the added shape, in order along a definition direction of the profile (A), and generating a new profile by connecting the added shape to the designated figure element (the circular arc C.sub.1 ') of the profile (A), and displaying the new profile on the display screen (CRT).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of setting the coordinate system (X.sub.D -Y.sub.D) of a figure drawn on a drawing (DRW) on a tablet surface (8c), and of setting scale. The method includes entering coordinates in a tablet coordinate system (X.sub.T -Y.sub.T) by selecting two points (P.sub.1, P.sub.2) whose coordinates are known in the drawing coordinate system, calculating the distance between the two points in the tablet coordinate system and the distance between the two points in the drawing coordinate system using the abovementioned coordinates and the known coordinates, and obtaining a scale S of the figure based on a ratio of the distances between the two points in both coordinate systems. The drawing coordinate system (X.sub.D -Y.sub.D) is placed upon the tablet surface based on the scale S and the coordinates of the two points (P.sub.1, P.sub.2) in each of the coordinate systems.

Abstract: A multiple-view hole shape display method in which the shapes of holes in workpiece are displayed in the form of multiple views on a display screen using hole shape data. Display colors and display patterns for displaying the holes are determined in dependence upon hole depth. In a case where hole shapes overlap one another in a side view or front view, the shapes of shallower holes are displayed preferentially on top of the shapes of deeper holes.

Abstract: A figure definition method including the steps of displaying a list (11) of the definition statements of already defined figure elements and graphic images (12) of the already defined figures on a display screen; successively displaying, one at a time in a form distinguishable from others, figure definition statements (11a, 11b, 11c . . . ) in the list (11), as well as the corresponding graphic images (12a, 12b, 12c . . . ), whenever a first element selection key (13a) is operated to select a first figure element; then successively displaying, one at a time in a form distinguishable from others, figure definition statements in the list (11), as well as the corresponding graphic images, whenever a second element selection key (13b) is operated, to select a second figure element; and defining another figure element using the selected first and second figure elements.

Abstract: In a case where a figure composed of already defined first and second figures (1, 2) is defined, it is determined whether the first and second figures (1, 2) have a point of intersection by designating the first and second figures (1, 2). If they do not, it is construed that a composite figure cannot be created and an error is displayed. If they do have a point of intersection, it is determined whether at least one of the first and second figures (1, 2) is an open figure. If neither is an open figure, closed figures obtained by combining the first and second figures (1, 2) are successively painted or displayed so as to be distinguishable from other figures. When a desired closed figure is displayed or painted, this closed figure is selected to define the composite figure. If one of the first and second figures is an open figure, open figures obtained by combining the first and second figures are successively displayed so as to be distinguishable from other figures.

Abstract: A predetermined figure element (C.sub.2) already defined is designated, and a figure definition statement of the designated figure element (C.sub.2) is revised to produce a figure element (C.sub.2 '). When an error occurs in the figure definition statement of another figure element (S.sub.1) owing to the revision of the above-mentioned figure definition statement, the figure definition statement (M) in which the error has occurred is displayed on a display screen (106) to make revision possible, namely the another figure element (S.sub.1) specified by the figure definition statement in which the error has occurred and a figure element (C.sub.3) defined using the another figure element (S.sub.1) are displayed in colors that differ from each other, and the figure definition statement in which the error occurred is revised.

Abstract: When a figure element (S.sub.1) of a profile (A.sub.0) displayed on a CRT is revised to a figure element (S.sub.1 '), a processor causes a revised profile (A.sub.0 ') that does not include corner shapes (E.sub.1, E.sub.2) to be displayed on a display screen and subsequently inserts the corner shapes (E.sub.1, E.sub.2) in the revised profile (A.sub.0 ') in order one at a time. If an error is generated at this time, or in other words, if it becomes impossible to insert a corner shape, a message (M.sub.1) relating to the dimensions of the corner shape (E.sub.1) at which the error has occurred is displayed on the display screen CRT to make revision possible, and the corner shape (E.sub.1) at which the error has occurred is displayed in a color different from that of the other portions of the profile. By revising the corner shape (E.sub.1) at which the error occurred, the revised corner shape is inserted in the new profile (A.sub.0 '), which is displayed.

Abstract: When a profile (A) has been defined, a part program in accordance with the definition is stored in advance. When a figure element (C.sub.1) constituting the profile has been revised to be another figure element (C.sub.1 ') figure elements (straight lines S.sub.1 and S.sub.2) defined utilizing the figure element (circular arc C.sub.1) are also changed to reflect the results of the revision in order to be converted into other figure elements (straight lines S.sub.1 ' and S.sub.2 '), thereby revising the profile to a profile (B).

Abstract: A code conversion system including a table (EIT) for converting an ISO code and an EIA code into an internal code. Characters and numerals which make common use of the ISO code and EIA code are converted into the same internal code, and characters and numerals which do not make common use of the ISO code and EIA code are converted into respective separate internal codes and stored. The code conversion system also includes a first internal code into the EIA code and a second internal code conversion table (ICT) for converting the internal code into the ISO code. At the time of output, one of the ISO code and EIA code is designated as an output code system, the internal code is output upon being the internal code conversion table corresponding to the designated output code system, and undefined codes are not output in the designated output code system.

Abstract: In an automatic programming apparatus involving NC program data for wire-cut electric discharge machining according to the invention, data specifying an approach path and a departure path, as well as wire-cut machining conditions, are registered in advance. In automatic programming, rather than entering an approach path, departure path and machining conditions separately, only machining profiles (51, 52, . . . ) are successively defined, after which the machining profile data and the registered data are used to originate, for each and every machining profile (51, 52, . . . ), (i) approach NC data, (ii) NC data for moving a wire electrode along the machining profiles (51, 52, . . . ), and (iii) departure NC data.

Abstract: When an item (T.sub.1 or T.sub.2) for revising chamfering or rounding is selected from a menu table (108b) of a tablet device (108), all corner portions (E.sub.1 -E.sub.3) included in profile (A.sub.1) and pertaining to the revision item (e.g., the item for revision rounding) are displayed in a color different from the other portions of the profile. Thereafter, a corner portion (E.sub.1) requiring revision is designated by a graphic cursor (K), whereupon the corner portions (E.sub.2, E.sub.3) other than the designated corner portion return to the original color so that only the designated corner portion (E.sub.1) may be identified for revision. .

Abstract: In revising a figure element, the figure element (C.sub.2) to be revised is designated, the designated figure element (C.sub.2 ) is displayed by a type of line or and color different from those of other figure elements, the figure elements (S.sub.1, C.sub.1) used in defining the designated figure element (C.sub.2) are displayed by a line of a different type and color, a message (M) which includes definition statements of the figure elements (S.sub.1, C.sub.1), as well as a radius necessary for defining the figure element (C.sub.2), is displayed on a display screen, and revision of the figure element is executed by referring to the display.

Abstract: A method of creating NC data including storing various approach/withdrawal patterns in dependence upon a particular zone in which a turret index point/tool exchange position (P.sub.T) is present, the zone being one among zones (ZN.sub.1 -ZN.sub.3) defined by horizonal and vertical axes passing through a point (Q) specified by a safe position coordinate (Z.sub.S) in a longitudinal direction of a workpiece (WK) and a safe position coordinate (X.sub.S) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and in dependence upon a plane to which a cutting starting/end point (P.sub.S) belongs, the plane being one of a plane (LPS) in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece and a plane (TPS) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction belongs. A predetermined pattern is selected from among the stored approach/withdrawal patterns based on the zone to which the turret index point (P.sub.T) actually belongs and the plane to which the cutting starting/end point (P.sub.S) actually belongs.

Abstract: A method of displaying a structure (SML) three-dimensionally, in which a rectangular parallelepiped (RP), having on each of its sides distances (L.sub.x, L.sub.y, L.sub.z) between minimum and maximum positions along each axis of a structure (SML) is constituted by a set of a number of unit solids, e.g., unit cubes (UC), of the same shape and same dimensions. The structure is represented by information indicating whether each unit solid is part of the structure (SML). Individual ones of the unit solids constituting the structure (SML) are displayed in order starting from unit solids seen on a the front side of the structure. The face of a unit solid overlapping a face of a unit solid already displayed is not displayed; instead, only the visually foremost faces thereof are displayed, thereby displaying a perspective view of the three-dimensional structure (SML).

Abstract: A prescribed menu item on a menu table (108b) is picked to designate a method of defining a figure element, and a predefined figure element displayed on a display screen (106) is picked. A processor (102) defines a new figure element using the picked figure element definition method and the picked figure element, and defines a part profile using figure elements picked in the order of tool motion when the defining of all figure elements is completed. In this case, the processor expresses, in a first format based upon an automatic programming language, figure elements and the part profile as defined, and stores the figure elements and part profile in a storage ares (103b). Using a second format for the figure elements, each point is expressed as the coordinate values thereof, each straight line expressed as the coordinate values of two points, and each circle expressed as the coordinates of the center of the circle and the radius of the circular arc, are stored in a storage area 103c.