Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling movement of machine tool systems by providing a conversational programming interface that permits a user to create a universal program for execution by various machine tool systems for machining a part, each system having at least four movable axes. The user defines program blocks including geometry definitions which are independent of any axis kinematics configuration. A first tool path relative to a first Cartesian coordinate system is generated for forming the geometry, then mapped to a second Cartesian coordinate system corresponding to the part. The mapped path is transformed to a third Cartesian coordinate system corresponding to an orientation and location of the part relative to an axis kinematics configuration of a current machine tool system. The transformed path is processed to generate positions for the movable axes of the current system.

Abstract: A method is provided of generating and using a control program for a obtain plasma process. The method comprises obtaining predetermined process data defining, in a series of time steps, changes in at least one control parameter for the plasma process during the said process. Control data are generated from the process data, the control data defining the at least one control parameter at a plurality of discrete times within each step. The control data are presented graphically to a user, using an interactive display device. The control data are modified in response to the operation by the user of the interactive display device, so as to generate the control program.

Abstract: A method is specified for operating an automation system, wherein a description object appropriate to a type of the respective program code object and a description object reference referencing the respective description object are created when a program code object is instantiated, so that it is possible to completely decouple applications, in other words the program code object as a component of the respective automation solution, and information data compiled in the description object.

Abstract: A programming device programs a machining control program to be used on a numerical control device for machining an object. A setting unit sets an axial direction of the tool with respect to the data on the machining-target area and sets a deepest position of a tip of the tool with respect to the data on the machining-target area. An extracting unit extracts a surface-machining-target area of the object from the data on the machining-target area based on the set axial direction of the tool, the set deepest position of the tip, and the data on the machining-target area.

Abstract: In a numerical control apparatus, a machining-condition storage device stores in a storage device machining conditions including a tool number, servo-axis feed speed, and the number of main-axis rotations, and override values of a servo axis and a main axis specified through an override switch. A machining-condition checking unit monitors whether a combination of machining conditions that matches machining conditions specified in a machining block to be executed is present in the storage device, and, if any, outputs a signal. An interpolation processor multiplies, based on the signal output from the machining-condition checking unit servo-axis feed speed and the number of main-axis rotations specified in the machining block by the override values stored in the storage device.

Abstract: In a method for sequentially programming an injection molding cycle of an injection molding machine comprising one or several injection molds, the injection molding cycle is started manually step by step. The parts of the injection molding machine and/or the parts of the injection mold(s) are manually displaced into the positions or states required for the injection molding cycle in the order required for the injection molding cycle. The movement sequence (the actions and the obtained states) of the machine parts and/or the mold parts is stored in a controller.

Abstract: Disclosed is provided an apparatus and a method for operating a macro command and inputting a macro command, wherein the apparatus including a storing unit storing control signals received from a control device for selecting of a menu item of a host device, a creating unit creating the macro command combined with the control signals, and an executing unit reading the macro command and executing functions corresponding to the respective menu item of the host device according to a combination sequence of the control signals included in the read macro command.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a drawing specification for motion control. A plurality of elements in the drawing specification may be automatically identified. The elements may include one or more lines, polygons, arcs, splines, alphanumeric characters, and/or ellipses. Additionally, the drawing specification may be a drawing or digital drafting file, such as an AutoCAD file, among others. An order of the plurality of elements may be automatically determined according to a sorting algorithm. The sorting algorithm may include a geometric and/or radial sorting algorithm. The radial sorting algorithm may specify the order of the elements according to nesting and/or distance from the center of the drawing specification. Code may be automatically generated for implementing motion control based on the identified elements and the determined order. The generated code may include inserted operations such as raise, lower, and move operations, among others.

Abstract: A method for generation of a control code set for a manufacturing process includes generating a list of sequences of operations with an automatic sequence of operations generator, selecting an optimized sequence of operations from the list of sequences of operations, and utilizing the optimized sequence of operations to generate the control code set.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for tool use management wherein a CNC machine retains information identifying the tools associated with the machine as well as their current locations (if any), and executes an algorithm for determining the source tools needed by a part program and matching the source tools with the available tools.

Abstract: A new method for assessing the probability of production at a wellsite. The process includes the four steps of: 1) Data Collection and Uncertainty Analysis; 2) Wellsite Preparation; 3) Treatment Selection/Job Execution; and 4) Evaluation and Upscaling to Field Level.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for generating datamatrix barcodes on parts. A digital datamatrix code associated with a machined part on a numerically controlled machine tool is converted into an x-y drilling pattern contained in a numerically controlled program. A drill cycle associated with a numerically controlled program defines a pattern of dots to be drilled in the machined part to form a dot pattern. A dot pattern is drilled as a series of partially drilled holes on a surface of the machined part to form a datamatrix barcode mark.

Abstract: Methods and systems of part programming for machine vision inspection systems are provided, which permit a user to readily define multiple image acquisition operations interspersed with associated image analysis and/or inspection operations during learn mode operations and in the resulting part program image acquisition operations for at least some of the images are arranged into a continuous motion image acquisition sequence that acquires images and stores images in a “non-interspersed” manner in order to increase the throughput of the machine vision inspection system. Image analysis/inspection operations associated with the stored images are performed subsequently by recalling the store images. The programming systems and methods disclosed herein may operate automatically to facilitate rapid programming for a variety of workpieces by relatively unskilled users, wherein the resulting programs include continuous motion image acquisition sequences.

Abstract: A method relating to near-net-shape machining of curved contours such as those occurring, for example, in the fabrication of blades for propulsion engines and the like is described. Accordingly, the shape error in curve grinding is minimized by suitable compensation functions, in particular by interpolating and approximating cubic splines. The present method minimizes the number of tests required to set up a grinding machining operation and thus the number of semifinished products required to do so. At the same time, rejects in fabrication of curved workpieces are reduced by increasing the machining quality. The use of complex chucking devices is avoided and cutting performance is maximized.

Abstract: The feed system for a honing machine provides a capability to dynamically correct in real time errors in bore size inferred arising from variations in feed force, and a method of operation of the same. The system allows a user to select between rate and force controlled honing modes, which provides one or more of the advantages of both modes. The system provides capabilities for automatic rapid automatic bore wall detection, compensation for elasticity of elements of the feed system and honing tool, and automatic tool protection. The system is automatically operable using feed force, feed rate and positional information for honing a work piece to one or more target parameters, such as one or more in-process sizes and a final size.

Abstract: A controller for a machine tool or production machine includes a computer with a software program that is not executable in real-time, an interpreter implemented in the non-real-time software program, and a storage medium storing an executable macro loadable into the interpreter for execution by the interpreter. The interpreter determines parameters for parameterizing the controller and stores the parameters in a memory area of the computer. A method for parameterizing a controller or a closed-loop controller is also described. The controller and method can be used to parameterize a controller of a machine tool or production machine. A macro can be used to during startup or reset of the controller.

Abstract: A numerical control system using converted data is provided in which changes can be made quickly to the feed rate by speed override and the like, the operation of the machine according to the content of variable data, and workpiece offset data during machining operation. The numerical control system includes a machining-program/internal-processing conversion module for allocating during conversion a command in a machining program to an application program for the numerical control apparatus, a variable/offset conversion module for storing during conversion, with respect to a command such as a variable command and a tool offset command in the machining program, only referencing information for the command, and a conversion data executing module for directly executing, during machining program execution, the internal processing sequentially based on data allocated by the conversion module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a setup information display device for a processing machine which enables required setup information to be easily displayed. The present invention is applied to a multi-turret type punch press or the like. A setup information display device is used for a processing machine 1 in which a plurality of tools 7 can be installed. The device includes information generating means 48 for generating setup information on the basis of a processing schedule SH and information on the tools 7 installed in the processing machine 1. The device also includes display information generating means 71 for generating information to be displayed in an information display section 47a of a display device 47. The display information generating means 71 generates, in the information display section 47a, a setup information display 81 that shows the setup information and a guide display 82 that prompts an operator to perform an operation required to show the setup information display 81.

Abstract: A method of transforming a G-code type part program into a STEP-NC language type part program is provided and more particularly, a method is provided for enabling a G-code type part program mainly used in the field to be easily applied to a STEP-NC controller without a troublesome correction. A STEP-NC language type part program is automatically created, which is composed of machining operation information, manufacturing feature information, machining strategy information and the like, through a process of analyzing G-codes from the G-code type part program and tool information. A method of transforming a G-code into a STEP-NC part program includes receiving a G-code part program, tools and a numerical controller; creating G-code block information, and partitioning the entire part program on a workingstep basis. The method further includes creating machining strategy information and creating the STEP-NC part program by arranging the machining workingsteps.

Abstract: A substrate processing system allows to reduce the number of works that should be done by a software engineer. The system 100 includes a substrate processing apparatus 101; a substrate processing controller 102 for controlling the substrate processing apparatus 101; and a server 103 for storing therein commands, i.e., instructional statements, for defining an operation of each device. The substrate processing controller 102 has a RAM 105 serving as a work space for creating a macro file corresponding to each of processes divided from the whole substrate processing or for changing the content of a macro file; and an executor 108 composed of, e.g., CPU for executing a process sequence macro obtained by a combination of the created macro files. The user creates a macro file describing a sequential operation of each process or changes the content of a macro file by arranging the stored commands.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to ion mobility based systems, methods and devices for analyzing samples and, more particularly, to sample detection using enhanced condition control and data interpretation.

Abstract: The feed system (30) for a honing machine (10) provides a capability to dynamically correct in real time errors in bore size inferred arising from variations in feed force, and a method of operation of the same. The system (10) allows a user to select between rate and force controlled honing modes, which provides one or more of the advantages of both modes. The system provides capabilities for automatic rapid automatic bore wall detection, compensation for elasticity of elements of the feed system (30) and honing tool (14), and automatic tool protection. The system is automatically operable using feed force, feed rate and positional information for honing a work piece (20) to one or more target parameters, such as one or more in-process sizes and a final size.

Abstract: A method of generating a manufacturing process for producing an assembly and a computer system or systems implementing the method. The method generally includes the steps of: designing at least one assembly to be produced having at least two components to be engaged to one another such that the area where the components are to be engaged thereby defines at least one contact area; generating a representation, typically a three-dimensional representation, of the assembly; assigning a unique identifier to each individual component of the assembly or, when a group of more than one identical components is utilized in the assembly, assigning identical unique identifiers to each component of the group, thereby identifying each component as identical; assigning manufacturing instructions to the contact area; and generating manufacturing instructions for the manufacturing process based at least in part on the identifier and the contact area.

Abstract: Method and system for a direct transmission of motion path data (310) from a generating system (204) to a control system (205) for use in controlling a servo-driven machine. For example, a machine tool for machining stock material, and the data generating system includes a computer-aided-design software package (301). Tool paths for directing the tool members of the machine tool can be extracted from a design file opened by the CAD software through the operation interface of the CAD software (302). Alternatively, the design file can be used to specify motion paths rather than end product geometry. The CAD interpreter application extracts the motion path data from the design file, eliminating the need to translate the data into another or intermediate form for controlling the machine tool.

Abstract: A numerical controller capable of automatically determining performing/non-performing of specific miscellaneous functions. The specific miscellaneous functions to be performed only when they are called by a macro program are registered in advance. Each time when a macro program call command is read from a program, a call counter having an initial value of “0” is incremented by “1” and each time when a macro program return command is read from the program, the call counter is decremented by “1”. When one of the registered specific miscellaneous function is commanded from the program, such specific miscellaneous function is performed if the value of the call counter has a positive value, and the specific miscellaneous function is inhibited from being performed if the value of the call counter has a value of “0”. The specific miscellaneous function is commanded in a macro program taking an appropriate sequence of operations into account, and thus is properly performed.

Abstract: An automatic programming method includes a first processing including detecting a turning surface having a largest diameter in the product model, and determining a central axis of rotation on the turning surface detected as a turning axis of the product model; a second processing including shifting or rotating the product model so that the turning axis of the product model determined matches a turning axis of the work model; and a third processing including shifting the product model so that an end face of the product model shifted at the second processing matches a program origin preset in the work model, for automatically arranging the product model so as to be overlapped on the work model.

Abstract: A system and method of interacting with a multi-agent distributed control system employing a plurality of controllers on which are programmed a plurality of agents in which the controllers are coupled by a network are disclosed. The method includes providing a computer program capable of operating a user interface, where the computer program is in communication with the agents via the network. The method further includes displaying agent-related information on the user interface by way of a plurality of windows, where within a first of the windows is further displayed a workflow among at least some of the agents, and within a second of the windows is further displayed at least one of a plurality of messages communicated among at least some of the agents, a work unit requested by at least one of the agents, and message content associated with at least one of the messages.

Abstract: Control programs for machine tools and industrial machines include programs that control axis motion, and programs, that periodically execute machine sequence control. Both the axis motion control programs and the sequence programs are coded in an NC program format. The controller analyzes the sequence programs created in NC program format, converts them into executable form, and executes the executable-form programs periodically from when power to the machine is turned on until the power is shut down.

Abstract: In a device and a method for generating and/or editing NC programs, where in a programming mode, input fields for machining data and selection lists belonging to the input fields and including permissible machining data are displayed on a display unit. In a configuration mode, the contents of a selection list for an input field is configured via an assigned configuration datum, the configuration datum including at least one executable selection instruction. In the programming mode, the selection instruction is executed such that the result is the selection list is filled with the selected data, and the configured selection list is displayed on the display unit, in that, via the selection instruction, a selective access is made to at least one database having available machining data.

Abstract: A machine tool control apparatus includes: a control program storage unit that stores control programs for performing standard running control. The control program storage unit includes a basic data memory that sets a control program for performing standard running, and a variable data memory that temporarily alters part of the control program to set a control program for performing temporary running. The machine tool control apparatus further includes a parameter check unit that checks whether a basic parameter stored in the basic data memory and a variable parameter stored in the variable data memory are “matched”; and a temporary running confirmation operation unit that enables the standard running when a parameter check result from the parameter check unit is “match” and that enables the temporary running by performing a temporary running confirmation operation while disenabling the standard running when the parameter check result is “mismatch”.

Abstract: Information of a machine control means to be selected for each system is inputted through a manual input unit and then stored in a storage unit for storing a selection state of the machine control means through a machine control means selecting unit. A machine control means execution unit executes the machine control means for each control system independently according to the selection state stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for programming an automation system. To avoid conversion errors and to guarantee data during the programming of an automated system, a graphic description by means of pulse timing diagrams is used to generate a program of the automation system, in particular the program of a memory programmable control. Modifications of the pulse timing diagrams thus lead directly to modifications of the program of the memory programmable control, without the need for a renewed conversion that potentially contains errors.

Abstract: Provided are an information processing apparatus and a method, and in particular, an information processing apparatus and a method for employing a 3D model generated using 3D-CAD. When attribution information (a distance, an angle, the diameter of a hole, a dimensional tolerance, etc.) is added to a 3D model, as the amount of additional information is increased, it becomes difficult for the geometry of a 3D model and the attribution information to be seen on a display screen. The visual direction (the attribution allocation plane) is set for a generated 3D model, and attribution information is entered that is to be positioned on an attribution allocation plane. By designating the attribution allocation plane, the designated attribution information, together with the geometry of the 3D model, is displayed on the screen.

Abstract: A numerical control apparatus for machine tool, including: an NC program storage portion; an electronic cam data transformation unit which transforms an NC program into electronic cam data; a constant circumferential velocity control command detection unit which detects whether a command for executing constant circumferential velocity control is present or not in the NC program; a reference axis pitch setting unit which sets the pitch for generating data; a main shaft rotational velocity calculation unit which calculates the rotational velocity of a main shaft on the basis of parameters corresponding to the position of a cutting edge of a tool; an axial feed velocity calculation unit which calculates axial feed velocity on the basis of the calculated rotational velocity of the main shaft; and an axial position data computing unit which calculates axial position on the basis of the axial feed velocity obtained at intervals of the set pitch.

Abstract: In the processing preparation operation for checking a processing program and the tool compensation amount, a series of confirmation operations for all the tools are easily made using the processing program as conventionally used, without having limitations on the creation of the processing program. When a read skip signal 110 is externally input into a numerical control apparatus, the same instruction as stored in mandatory execution instruction storing means 104 is executed, when commanded in the processing program 100, until the same instruction as stored in read skip end instruction storing means 105 is commanded, but the other instructions are skipped, until the same instruction as stored in read skip end instruction storing means 105 is commanded. Then, when the instruction stored in the read skip end instruction storing means 105 is read, the instruction and subsequent instructions are executed.

Abstract: A controller for a machine tool or production machine is disclosed. The controller includes system software that implements a control function for the machine tool or production machine, real-time basic application software and real-time custom-designed application software for expanding the system software, and a software interface allowing the real-time basic application to access data and functions of the system software. The controller further includes a custom-designed software interface provided by the basic application software for communication between the basic application software and the custom-designed application software. With the disclosed controller, custom-designed application software can be integrated in the system software of the controller without detailed information about the system software of the controller.

Abstract: A system for generating a control program for a machine includes an optical image acquisition device, in particular a scanner and a machine control system connected to the scanner. The machine control system includes an image processing module that associated image data read by the image acquisition device with contour data and additional image data, a code generator for automatically generating the control program based on the contour data, and a memory that stores the control program.

Abstract: A method for determining a threat substance encountered by a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) using a pre-computed threat library is described. The method comprising the steps of acquiring a spectrum of a test substance, wherein the acquired spectrum is an average of individual spectra acquired from a plurality of laser shots on the analyte; identifying mass/charge (m/z) values corresponding to each of a plurality of spectral peaks of the acquired spectrum; assigning a corresponding ranking code to the acquired spectrum based on the plurality of its spectral peaks and troughs, wherein a peak presence is indicated by a numeral 1, while peak absence is indicated by a numeral 0, relative to each of a set of substances in a threat library; comparing the assigned rankings of the acquired spectrum over all threat substances stored in the threat library; and identifying the threat substance as that which produced the highest ranking.

Abstract: A system and method for specifying and satisfying move constraints when performing a motion control sequence. One or more motion control operations may be included in a sequence in response to user input. User input specifying one or more move constraints for a first motion control operation in the sequence may be received to a graphical user interface. When the motion control sequence is subsequently performed, the first motion control operation may be performed in such a way that the one or more specified move constraints are satisfied. The specified move constraints preferably do not cause the trajectory of the first motion control operation to be altered.

Abstract: A method of generating a manufacturing process for producing an assembly and a computer system or systems implementing the method. The method generally includes the steps of: designing at least one assembly to be produced having at least two components to be engaged to one another such that the area where the components are to be engaged thereby defines at least one contact area; generating a representation, typically a three-dimensional representation, of the assembly; assigning a unique identifier to each individual component of the assembly or, when a group of more than one identical components is utilized in the assembly, assigning identical unique identifiers to each component of the group, thereby identifying each component as identical; assigning manufacturing instructions to the contact area; and generating manufacturing instructions for the manufacturing process based at least in part on the identifier and the contact area.

Abstract: A process module for a processing station (18) for performing a predetermined function. The module comprises a controller (60) associated with a program control unit (76; 76?) to which a program for controlling the process module is supplied. The controller (60) comprises a program data administrator unit (74) which co-ordinates the transfer of the program associated with the process module (30) out of a program data memory (72, 72?, 72?) into the program control unit (76, 76?). The invention also relates to a processing station with at least one such process module (30) for performing a predetermined function, as well as a method for starting up such a processing station.

Abstract: A system and method for employing a file system and file system services on the industrial controller. The file system allows industrial control programs to implement many functions previously performed within the industrial control program and stored in the same memory as the industrial control program. An execution engine is provided that interprets instructions included in an industrial control program. The instructions utilize services in the file system for including user defined routine files loaded from local or remote locations, to load and unload recipe files from local and remote locations, to log and retrieve measured data and trend data to files at local or remote locations, to select different operating systems and to select a running program from a plurality of running programs utilizing the file system.

Abstract: A controller that eliminates an error caused by acceleration/deceleration control, and controls the velocity of drive axes which is not represented by a rectangular coordinate system such that maximum allowable values of velocity, acceleration, and jerk of the drive axes are not exceeded. A program is analyzed in a command analysis section, and an interpolated position on a motion path in the rectangular coordinate system is determined in a first interpolation section, and then converted by means of a transformation section into drive axes' positions not in the rectangular coordinate system. In a tangential acceleration calculating section, a tangential acceleration is determined. In a velocity limit calculating section, a velocity limit at the time of each position being reached is determined which does not exceed maximum allowable values of velocity, acceleration, and jerk of the drive axes.

Abstract: A numerical control apparatus for machine tool, includes: an NC program storage portion for storing an NC program; a block skip command detection portion for detecting whether a block skip command for skipping execution of blocks after a position where the block skip command is described is present in the NC program stored in the NC program storage portion or not; a block skip end command detection portion for detecting whether a block skip end command provided in connection with the block skip command to permit execution of blocks after a position where the block skip end command is described is present in the NC program or not; and a coordinate comparison portion for performing comparison concerning a difference between coordinates on at least one control axis in the block skip command and the block skip end command.

Abstract: System and method for user configuration of an autotuning algorithm for a controller in a motion control system. A desired trajectory in one or more dimensions for the motion control system is received. Values of one or more gains for a controller are initialized. A response trajectory of the controller and motion control system in response to the desired trajectory is received, and an error determined between the response trajectory and the desired trajectory. A gain space is then experimentally searched to determine final values of the one or more gains for the controller that minimize the error (e.g., Euclidean norm) between the response trajectory and the desired trajectory, e.g., via simulated annealing, or other stochastic, quasi-random, and/or deterministic approaches. After experimentally searching, the controller is operable to control the motion control system substantially in accordance with the desired trajectory using the determined values of the one or more gains.

Abstract: A computerized method for determining a tilt parameter of a cutting head of a fluid-jet apparatus. The method includes receiving a target-piece shape, describing an ordered path defining the target-piece shape, and segmenting the path into small straight lines of approximately equal length. The method further includes determining a cutting-head translation speed for each of the small straight lines, determining a tilt parameter of the cutting head with respect to the plane of the workpiece in response to the speed and a fluid jet-shape parameter for each of the small straight lines, storing the small straight lines and the determined tilt parameter associated with each small straight line in a memory, and sending the stored data to the fluid-jet apparatus. The method may include controlling the tilt of the cutting head in accordance with the tilt parameter for each small straight line as the cutting head cuts the workpiece.

Abstract: To provide a numerical control apparatus 1 provided with a plurality of skip signals (external signals), in which a processing program is easily fabricated even in the case where the tool is moved to the final specified position by decreasing stepwise, or increasing or decreasing stepwise the speed, every time a skip signal is input into the numerical control apparatus 1. The numerical control apparatus 1 comprises, in one block of a numerical control processing program, a skip command capable of issuing a plurality of optional feed speed commands for commanding an optional feed speed different from a feed speed by a normal feed command in the one block, the plurality of optional feed speed commands corresponding to a plurality of skip signals input from the outside, and an interpolation processing part 12 and an axis control processing part 13 for making the acceleration and deceleration control upon an input of the plurality of skip signals when the skip command is given.

Abstract: An automatic programming apparatus 1 comprises: storing sections 11, 12, 13, and 14 for storing shape data of a product having a recess and a protrusion formed in the bottom surface inside the recess, workpiece data, tool data, and machining condition data; a concave portion machining tool storing section 15 for storing the identification data of a plurality of tools selected in advance as tools to be used for the machining of the recess; a CL data generating section 16 for referring to the identification data, thereby setting a plurality of tool combinations, and then generating CL data of the recess for each combination; a machining time calculating section 18 for calculating the machining time for each combination on the basis of the CL data; and an NC program generating section 20 for generating an NC program by using the CL data having the minimum machining time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a numerically controlled machine tool and a program transforming method therefor where a NC program is transformed into an optimum program even by a non-expert programmer. Particularly, the present invention provides a method for optimizing a NC program for operating a numerically controlled machine tool, comprising: making the NC program to be loaded into the numerically controlled machine tool; designating a portion of the NC program to be determined whether it is transformable and/or a portion of the NC program to be determined whether a command position is changeable; storing the NC program in a memory; determining whether the designated portion is transformable and/or whether the designated command position is changeable; and transforming the designated portion and/or changing the designated command position, and making an operating program file for the numerically controlled machine tool.

Abstract: A numerical controller which allows easy and inexpensive construction or expansion of a control system and flexible construction of a sequential control section for a variety of system structures. The numerical controller has a numerical control section having multiple control systems. Between the numerical control section and a sequential control section, interfaces are provided for the individual control systems of the numerical control section. The control systems are assigned to the interfaces so that the control systems will be each controlled by an intended one of sequence programs (ladders 1 through 3) installed in the sequential control section, under which signals are sent and received independently. The numerical control section and the sequential control section send and receive signals through the interfaces to which the control systems are assigned. By changing the assignment, the control system can be reconstructed freely, without adding a new programmable controller.