Method for machining a workpiece in a machine tool with optimized machining time

A method for machining a workpiece in a numerically controlled machine tool with an optimized machining time, comprising:

• connecting the numerically controlled machine tool to a machine tool controller;
• loading an original parts program into the machine tool controller;
• determining an original motion path generated in the machine tool controller by the original parts program;
• simulating machining of the workpiece using the original parts program;
• classifying the motion path into at least one area of a potential optimization with no workpiece contact;
• assigning to the at least one area of the potential optimization a tolerance space having a first tolerance sub-space with a geometric extent defined by geometry values of the machine tool and the workpiece in which the motion path is unobstructed, and
• a second tolerance sub-space having a geometric extent defined by dynamic values of the machine tool, wherein at least one of the dynamic values comprises a machine speed;
• determining an optimized tolerance space as the tolerance space having the smaller geometric extent of the first and second tolerance sub-space;
• determining an optimized motion path within the optimized tolerance space having a movement time along the optimized motion path between entering the optimized tolerance space and exiting the optimized tolerance space that is less than a movement time along the motion path in the original parts program;
• simulating machining of the workpiece using a modified parts program that incorporates the optimized motion path;
• displaying and marking the optimized motion path;
• approving by a user the modified parts program;
• and
• machining of the workpiece with the optimized machining time using the modified parts program.