Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for predicting a tool life which reports a tool life ratio to an operator or a control device, when a remarkable change of work load values is detected. In a predicted life setting section 122, there is set a percentage of a quantity worked until the detection of the noticeable change of the work load values based on the workable quantity until the breakage of the tool which is regarded as 100%. A predicted residual work quantity calculating section 123 calculates a residual tool life value converted into a parameter at a point of time when an alarm is input from a work load monitoring section 121, on the basis of data of a work quantity accumulating section 120 and the predicted life setting section 122. A predicted residual work quantity outputting section 124 reports the residual tool life value to an operator or a control device.

Abstract: A numerical control information generating system prevents a tool from interfering with a work when the tool is moved from a tool change position to a cycle start point or from a cycle end point to the tool change position by setting a step start point and a step end point for each machining step outside of a before-machining shape, and classifying the positional relation of the shape upon completion of machining with the machining steps into the outer face, inner face, the front face, the outer rear face and the inner rear face so that based on the information denoting the positional relation the paths of the tool from the tool change position to the step start point or from the step end point to the tool change position are determined. When a same tool is used for machining in plural sequential steps, the time required to move the tool between the step to another can be shortened since the tool is moved from the end point of a step to the start point of the subsequent step.