Abstract: The invention relates to a part profile input method for inputting the profile elements of a part using arrow keys. When inputting a part profile, an angle (A.sub.i) defined by two mutually adjacent profile elements (EL.sub.i, EL.sub.i+1) is computed, and whether the corner is in outside corner or an inside corner is determined by comparing the angle of intersection and a set angle. In case of an outside corner, a preset chamfer dimension (DIM) is displayed. If the dimension is acceptable, an input key is pressed to input the chamfer profile (CF) at the corner portion. In case of an inner corner, a prompt display is presented inquiring whether a rounded profile is to be inserted. If insertion is required, a dimension is inputted and the input key is pressed to input the rounded profile.

Abstract: There is provided a numerical control unit having a processor (102a), a control program memory (102b), a memory (102c) for storing files, and input means (102d) for accessing the files. The processor (102a), in accordance with the control program, processes externally entered control data to numerically control a machine connected thereto. The arrangement is such that the name of a file to be protected is stored in the memory (102c) of the numerical control unit and, the name of an object file is compared with the protected file name in the memory (102c), when a modification command and the name of the object file are entered from the input means (102d). Processing for modifying the file is executed, on the condition that there is a processing confirmation input from the input means (102d), when the object is a file protected file.

Abstract: The process names of machining processes to be balance cut are registered in a parameter storage area (13a) in advance. If the name of the balance cutting process registered in the parameter storage area has been inputted in the machining process input step, a conversational frame calling for the tools of the first and second tool rests used in the balance cutting is displayed on a display unit (15) in the next used tool data input step.When there is a request to create first and second NC programs for respectively controlling the first and second tool rests using all of the conversationally inputted data, a processor (11) creates the first NC program for controlling the first tool rest in the order of the inputted machining processes, and inserts an instruction (e.g. a G-function instruction "G68") in front of NC data for executing the balance cutting process, which instruction is for moving its own tool rest in symmetrical fashion in synchronism with the other tool rest.

Abstract: The rotating direction of a spindle is stored in a tool data file storage area (101b) for each and every tool used.Data necessary for creating an NC program are stored in a RAM (105) conversationally using an operator's panel (108) and graphic display unit (102). Thereafter, a processor (103) creates the NC program using the data stored in the RAM.When a tool used in a predetermined machining process is decided during the creation of the NC program, a tool selection command for selecting the tool is outputted and, in addition thereto, a spindle rotating direction conforming to the selected tool is obtained from the tool data file storage area (101b) and a spindle rotating command for rotating the spindle in said direction is outputted.

Abstract: When NC programs of a simultaneous four-axis lathe have been prepared, a processor (11) obtains the machining times T.sub.1i, T.sub.2i of synchronized processes for each tool rest and obtains total machining time T.sub.m for machining performed by the simultaneous four-axis lathe by using the longer of the machining times for those synchronized processes carried out simultaneously by the tool rests. Next, the total machining time T.sub.m is divided by the number of characters C in the horizontal direction of a CRT (16d) used in displaying bar graphs, to calculate machining time t per character. The machining time of each synchronized process is divided by the obtained machining time t per character, to determine the number of characters necessary for displaying each machining time.

Abstract: In checking tool rests for interference, interpolative simulations are executed by interpolation simulators (103, 104) one block at a time in successive fashion based on first and second NC programs (101, 102). In a case where the tool rests interfere with each other, the interpolative simulations are halted and both tool rests are moved backward to the beginning of the blocks in which the interference occurred. Thereafter, with the interpolative simulation based on one NC program being kept in the halted state, the interpolative simulation based on the other NC program is executed to move the other tool rest separately along a path in the interfering block. If interference does not occur during this separate movement, sequence numbers N, M of the firt and second NC programs in the blocks in which the interference occurred are stored in a storage area (301a). Thereafter, a similar interference check is performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of editing NC programs for a four-axis lathe for creating NC programs that make possible simultaneous machinining by two tool rests. In order to raise machining efficiency, the machining speed is adjusted between the NC programs edited for each tool rest or an adjustment is performed by altering machining sequences or by resetting them in such a manner that the machining sequences are executed simultaneously. This facilitates modification of machining speed, resetting of machining sequence, etc.

Abstract: A trajectory display system displays a still picture, which includes a machining region, and a trajectory by making a color designation in the form of a black base picture background color (a) and a three-color bit pattern R (red), G (green) and B (blue). A display color (e) of the still picture and the display color (e) of the machining region are designated in a relationship where the colors are mutually complementary. The display color of the still picture superimposed on the machining region is made to appear black, which is identical with the background color designated to be black, and the display color of the trajectory and the display color of the machining region are displayed in the same color.

Abstract: A machining process determination method in automatic programming for automatically creating NC data for a lathe. The method includes storing machining processes in a memory in a machining sequence, reading the previously stored machining processes out of the memory in order after entry of a blank profile (BP) and part profile (PF); automatically discriminating based on the blank profile and final part profile whether the read machining process is needed to obtain a final part; when it is not required, performing identical discrimination processing upon reading the next machining process out of the memory, and when it is required, determining a cutting domain (A1, A2, A3) and cutting direction of the machining process; and thereafter creating NC data upon reading subsequent machining processes out of the memory and performing identical processing.

Abstract: A color display method for a system having an automatic programming unit (101) equipped with a color display function, and an NC unit (102) which does not possess a color display function, wherein a correlation between a display item and a display color for an NC mode of operation is stored beforehand in a memory (105c) of a control unit (105). When a predetermined item display request key provided on an operator's panel (104) is pressed while in the NC mode, a control unit (105) informs the NC unit (102) of the name of the item for which display has been requested and applies color information, which corresponds to the item for which display has been requested, to a color display device (106). The NC unit applies item data, corresponding to the name of the item, to the color display device which displays the item data in a color designated by the color information applied thereto by the control unit (105).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electric discharge machine wherein a motor for establishing relative movement between an energized electrode and a workpiece is driven in accordance to with NC command data. The method includes the steps of converting commanded speed information into a speed command value to control the speed of the motor, counting, by using a counter, pulses generated by a sensor each time the motor rotates by a predetermined amount, reading the value of the count in the counter periodically, adding the read values cumulatively to determine the present position of the electrode, and sending a command to the counter each time its counted value is read, to cancel the counted value.

Abstract: A blank profile specifying method in automatic programming for lathes has a step of specifying a finished profile (1), a step of entering a maximum length (L.sub.m) and a maximum diameter (F.sub.m) of a blank profile (2), a step of obtaining the maximum length (L.sub.t) and the maximum diameter (F.sub.t) of the finished profile from entered finished profile data, a step of calculating an uncut thickness (t.sub.z) longitudinally of the blank and an uncut thickness (t.sub.x) diametrically of the blank by using L.sub.m, L.sub.t, F.sub.m, F.sub.t, a step of obtaining the blank profile (2) by enlarging the finished profile by the uncut thicknesses in the respective directions, and displaying the blank profile and the finished profile, a step of entering position data indicative of inflection points (P.sub.1, P.sub.2 . . . P.sub.5) of an actual blank profile, and a step of storing the entered position data indicative of the inflection points and modifying the display of the blank profile by using the position data.

Abstract: An electrode retraction control system of an electric discharge machine for rapidly retracting an electrode from a workpiece, in which the retraction velocity and readvance velocity of an electrode (EP) moving relative to a workpiece (WK) are set to a velocity obtained by multiplying, by a fixed multiplication factor (a, k), a velocity decided on the basis of a gap sensing voltage (Vd) corresponding to the magnitude of a gap between the workpiece (WK) and the electrode (EP), the velocity being held constant during retraction and readvance. Machining efficiency is advanced by raising the retraction velocity and readvance velocity of the electrode (EP).

Abstract: A numerical control system having an automatic programming unit for executing automatic programming, and a numerical control unit for executing numerical control. A single operator's panel having selection keys is provided and shared by both the automatic programming unit and numerical control unit. The system includes a control unit which, based on selection information entered from the operator's panel by manipution of the selection keys, devotes the operator's panel exclusively to the automatic programming unit or numerical control unit. The automatic programming unit and numerical control unit share a single display device and a single data input/output unit, in addition to the operator's panel.

Abstract: A system for reversing the direction of an electric discharge machine in response to a short-circuit signal. A controller responds to the short circuit signal by generating a command signal with a magnitude greater than a stored error between a commanded value and a number of feedback pulses produced by rotation of a motor which drives the electrode. The sign of the generated command signal is opposite to that of the stored error so that the stored error is converted into a value capable of reversing the direction of the electrode without delay.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electric discharge machine wherein a motor for moving an energized electrode relative to a workpiece is driven in accordance with command data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling backward movement in an electric discharge machine wherein a workpiece is subjected to electric discharge machining by moving an electrode and the workpiece across which a voltage is applied, relative to one another. The method comprises a step of detecting a state of the electric discharge machining in response to a retraction command, a step of selecting a class corresponding to the electric discharge machining state from among a plurality of stored classes of retraction control information items indicating retraction control conditions different from one another, and a step of relatively moving and controlling the electrode and the workpiece in the backward direction in accordance with the selected class of retraction control information items.