Abstract: In the movable shaft (32) constructed by a plurality of motion modules (31), since the moving command based on the machining program (1) in unit of the movable shaft like the prior art is converted into moving commands of the motion modules (31) to control this movable shaft (32), the machining can be executed if the machining for the movement of the movable shaft is defined like the machining program in the prior art. Also, assignment of a plurality of motion modules (31) to the movable shaft (32) can be set arbitrarily and then the pulse distribution to the movable shaft (32) is executed in response to this assignment. In addition, if the failure is caused in the motion module (31), such motion module (31) can be disconnected.

Abstract: In the movable shaft (32) constructed by a plurality of motion modules (31), since the moving command based on the machining program (1) in unit of the movable shaft like the prior art is converted into moving commands of the motion modules (31) to control this movable shaft (32), the machining can be executed if the machining for the movement of the movable shaft is defined like the machining program in the prior art. Also, assignment of a plurality of motion modules (31) to the movable shaft (32) can be set arbitrarily and then the pulse distribution to the movable shaft (32) is executed in response to this assignment. In addition, if the failure is caused in the motion module (31), such motion module (31) can be disconnected.

Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool which allows the automatic generation of a restoring program for carrying out processing required for the resumption of an NC machining program to resume the execution of the NC machining program after the execution of the NC machining program has been stopped and interrupt processing has been performed. Specifically, even for nesting programs, when the machining program is re-executed from where it had stopped after the execution of the machining program has stopped and the operator has performed optional interrupt processing, the stop-time and re-execution-time machine statuses are compared to automatically generate the restoring program so that the machine status may be returned to the stop-time status, whereby the operator can perform the resumption processing of the machining program without any restrictions.

Abstract: In a handle feeding control method in a numerical control apparatus in which a control axis can be controlled in response to a pulse signal output from a manual pulse generator for generating the pulse signal according to the turning quantity of a manual handle so as to perform handle feeding, at least one of a movement quantity, a target position and a movement range of the control axis is set and stored; and the movement quantity or position of the control axis at the time of the handle feeding is monitored, and pulse signals from the manual pulse generator thereafter when the movement quantity or position of the control axis at the time of the handle feeding reaches the limit of the set and stored movement quantity, target position or movement range are, invalidated so that the movement quantity or position of the control axis at the time of the handle feeding is prevented from exceeding the set and stored movement quantity, target position or movement range.

Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool which allows the automatic generation of a restoring program for carrying out processing required for the resumption of an NC machining program to resume the execution of the NC machining program after the execution of the NC machining program has been stopped and interrupt processing has been performed. Specifically, even for nesting programs, when the machining program is re-executed from where it had stopped after the execution of the machining program has stopped and the operator has performed optional interrupt processing, the stop-time and re-execution-time machine statuses are compared to automatically generate the restoring program so that the machine status may be returned to the stop-time status, whereby the operator can perform the resumption processing of the machining program without any restrictions.

Abstract: In an NC automatic programming system for defining the process and equipment for machining a workpiece, a method and apparatus for automatically selecting a tool out of a plurality of available tools for machining the workpiece. The data defining the tools and data defining the criteria for selecting the most appropriate tool on the basis of machining mode are entered and stored. On the basis of the entered data, the available tools are arranged automatically according to preference for the desired machining. The recommended tool may be accepted or another of the recommended tools may be selected at operator discretion and based on operator experience.

Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool which allows the automatic generation of a restoring program for carrying out processing required for the resumption of an NC machining program to resume the execution of the NC machining program after the execution of the NC machining program has been stopped and interrupt processing has been performed. Specifically, even for nesting programs, when the machining program is re-executed from where it had stopped after the execution of the machining program has stopped and the operator has performed optional interrupt processing, the stop-time and re-execution-time machine statuses are compared to automatically generate the restoring program so that the machine status may be returned to the stop-time status, whereby the operator can perform the resumption processing of the machining program without any restrictions.

Abstract: A numerical control machine movement detection and determination apparatus in which the movement of the machine within one coordinate system is detected and stored, the stored values being operated on by selectable operational expressions in order to generate values within a second coordinate system. The values in the second coordinate system are used as the basis for a display to the operator or for a determination of an interference condition. The operation expressions may be selected from arithmetic expressions or functions that best present the machine movement to an operator in display form or best provide an efficient basis for determining the existence of an interference condition.

Abstract: A fuzzy inference apparatus and corresponding method which uses a plurality of rules to realize a fuzzy inference conclusion. The apparatus includes a first component which represents the rules as geometric shapes. A second component determines an area and center of gravity position of each of a number of the geometric shapes, each corresponding to one of the rules. A third component of the apparatus determines the fuzzy inference conclusion in accordance with a mathematical summation of a product of the area and center of gravity of each of the geometric shapes, divided by a summation of the center of gravity of each of the geometric shapes. The third component could further determine the fuzzy inference conclusion based on the significance of the rules, as well as the center of gravities and areas of the geometric shapes representing the rules.

Abstract: A numerical control unit (NCU) uses character codes to communicate with an external input/output apparatus. Further, internal NCU data is stored in an array format corresponding to a display format. Further, while one set of data is being executed by the NCU, another set may be corrected by the user. Further, program data may be specified as variables rather than actual numerical values. Still further, memo data is provided to describe each piece of data. Finally, input program data is directly sent to a buffer where it is used to control a machining operation.

Abstract: A numerical control unit for changing a cutting condition of a machine tool during machining of a workpiece. The numerical control unit includes a knowledge storage section for storing at least two rules for changing the cutting condition. At least one of the rules defines a rate at which movement of the machine tool is decelerated based on the position of the machine tool with respect to a corner of the workpiece. Other rules may define the rate at which movement of the machine tool is decelerated based on the shape of the corner of the workpiece being machined. Also, the other rules could be established based on the material of the tool or workpiece. The knowledge storage section further includes a rule description part and assessment functions.

Abstract: A numerical control unit for a machining apparatus which operates under the control of a machining program comprising a plurality of blocks, such blocks being adapted to define a command or instruction for specifying and automatically controlling the relative movement between a machine tool and a workpiece with respect to one or more of linear and rotational axes, and being modifiable at starting-point and end-point areas in a single block to specify desired variations in relative movement or feedrate. The feedrate may be controlled on the basis of preset rules within a single block without dividing a machining path into a plurality of blocks for controlling the feedrate, the preset rules being changeable by an operator whereby his machining know-how can easily be incorporated into the machining program.

Abstract: A numerical control system for controlling a machine tool including a control device for controlling the machine tool; external portable storage device for storing data; a disabling device for disabling the control device; a read/write device, operable when the external portable storage device is manually coupled thereto, for reading data from the external portable storage device and for writing data to the external portable storage device; and a determining device for determining whether the external portable storage device is coupled to the read/write device.

Abstract: A numerical control system for controlling a machine tool including a control device for controlling the machine tool; external portable storage device for storing data; a disabling device for disabling device for disabling the control device; a read/write device, operable when the external portable storage device is manually coupled thereto, for reading data from the external portable storage device and for writing data to the external portable storage device; and a determining device for determining whether the external portable storage device is coupled to the read/write device. The disabling device disables the control device when the determining device determines that the external portable storage devices not coupled to the read/write device.

Abstract: A numerical control system for machining a workpiece including a reader for reading a machining control program for the workpiece, a control device for supplying a control signal to a machine tool for the workpiece, and a storage device disposed internal or external to the control device, for storing a conversion table for converting a first character string read from the program into a second character string representing a command. The control device operates in response to the reader reading the first character string to supply the control signal to the machine tool in accordance with the command of the second character string. The second character string may represent, e.g., a delete command or a repeat instruction command.

Abstract: A screw cutting method for use with a numerically controlled machining system is improved by enabling finer finishing of the final screw surface. The invention allows the removal of scars formed during rough machining by offsetting the position of the rough machining passes in the direction of screw cutting, i.e., in the direction of movement of the tool during cutting, so that during the final finishing pass, more material is removed from the screw surface opposing the cutting direction. Surface finish is further improved by specifically controlling the cutting depth in the cutting passes just preceeding the final cutting pass.

Abstract: A numerical control apparatus comprising a display device capable of displaying not only the configuration of a workpiece to be machined and the machining paths of machining tools relative to the workpiece but also the movement of the workpiece as a machining path of relative movement of the machining tool with respect to a stationary workpiece. The machining path of the relative movement of the machining tool is obtained based on data representing the movement of the workpiece per se.

Abstract: A numerical control method for controlling a machine tool having a plurality of turrets including supplying a control device with data items indicative of cutting conditions for respective tools mounted on the turrets, a machining program, and material conditions of a workpiece to be cut by the machine tool for computing a capability required to cut the workpiece based on the supplied data items. It is then determined whether the value of the capability exceeds a range of an allowable capability of the machine tool or the tools. An output is issued to reduce the cutting conditions when the value of the capability exceeds the allowable capability range to correct the capability required to cut the workpiece to the allowable capability range of the machine tool or the tools. The reduced cutting conditions are issued to the machine tool for machining the workpiece.

Abstract: A workpiece is machined by a primary cutter such as on a lathe, in a primary machining mode, and then any workpiece portions left uncut by the primary cutter are machined by a compensation cutter in a compensation machining mode to thereby produce the desired final cut shape. To effect this cutting operation, data on the shape of the workpiece, the desired final cut shape, and the shape of the primary cutter are entered into an NC apparatus, and the uncut workpiece portions are computed based on data entered in the NC apparatus. A compensation cutter suitable for cutting off the computed uncut workpiece portions in the compensation machining mode is selected from a plurality of cutters, and data on the depth of cut and the clearance of the compensation cutter are set into the NC apparatus. Paths of travel of the compensation cutter as determined from the uncut workpiece portions, the depth of cut of the compensation cutter, and the clearance of the compensation cutter are computed in the NC apparatus.

Abstract: A numerically controlled working process for a machine tool or the like is improved by reducing the idle time of the tool. This is effected by inputting the preworking shape of the workpiece and comparing this shape with a tool path determined on the basis of the desired finished shape. When the working path of the tool passes through an area where no machining takes place (the workpiece, for example, being precut in this area) the tool is made to move at a relatively high speed to the next actual machining location.