Abstract: An NC data editing method speedily and accurately edits NC data, e.g., for modification of the movement path of a controlled object. When three positional conversion command blocks are successively read from original data in a data conversion process following a data modification process, a position transformation matrix is calculated based on coordinate value data for three sets of reference points and corresponding points in the blocks (S211). For a mirror conversion command block, a mirror transformation matrix is calculated based on coordinate value data for two points stated in the block (215). An up-to-date composite transformation matrix is obtained by multiplying a previous composite transformation matrix by a now calculated transformation matrix (S213). Each time a movement command block is read, post-positional-conversion or post-mirror-conversion command point data is obtained by multiplying movement command point data in each block by the up-to-date composite transformation matrix (S217).

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: 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: 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: 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: A robot program checking method for editing a robot program accurately and rapidly. When types of a controller and a robot body to which an edit program is to be applied are specified after the edit program is created, a format table indicative of a format suitable for the controller and movable range data for an operating section of the robot body are transferred from a floppy disk to a working memory together with the edit program. If the edit program which is read out one block by one block is not stated in accordance with a predetermined format, or if a position data contained in the edit program and indicative of a target moving position of the operating section of the robot body falls outside the movable range, an error message indicative of a block number and a reason for the error are printed out. With reference to the error message, an operator corrects the edit program.

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: 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: A menu table (108b) having a number of menu items conforming to various methods of defining points, straight lines and circles is affixed to a tablet surface (108a). In a state where predetermined points, straight lines and circles are displayed on a CRT (106), a predetermined menu item (MN) on the menu table (108b) is picked by a tablet cursor (108c), thereby designating a method of defining a figure element. Next, figure element (S.sub.i, S.sub.j) displayed on the display screen are designated by a graphic cursor (GSC). In this way a new figure element (P.sub.m) is defined using the picked figure definition method and the picked figure elements (S.sub.i, S.sub.j), and the new figure element is stored in the RAM (103) and displayed on a display screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of creating NC data for machining the interior of an area. The method includes displaying, on a graphic display unit (106), contours (CNT1, CNT2) inputted in order to specify the area (AR.sub.M), recognizing the area (AR.sub.M), which is designated by a graphic cursor by manipulation of a tablet (108) and painting the interior of the area in a predetermined color, subsequently removing the paint in a linear area (AR.sub.1), having a width equivalent to a width of a tool, which connects a machining starting point (P.sub.S) and a machining end point (P.sub.E) designated by the graphic cursor, adopting the machining end point as the next machining starting point, thereafter inputting machining end points in succession, and creating NC data for machining the interior of the area (AR.sub.M) by traversing a finally designated machining starting point and machining end point while moving the tool linearly.