Controller for machine tool

A controller for a machine tool used for machining by cutting of a work as a cutting target by means of coordinated motion of multiple axes including at least a spindle axis, comprising:

• a movement command generation unit that outputs a movement command for cutting the work by moving a cutting tool and the work relative to each other in a machining direction such that an entirety of the cutting tool is spaced from the spindle axis in a direction perpendicular to the spindle axis;
• a stop determination unit that outputs a stop instruction for intermittently stopping the relative movement in the machining direction to the movement command generation unit;
• and
• a sensor that detects a rotation angle of the spindle axis, wherein
• the movement command generation unit outputs a movement command for stopping the relative movement between the cutting tool and the work in the machining direction based on the stop instruction, and
• the stop determination unit outputs the stop instruction for a period when the spindle axis rotates 360 degrees or more, based on the rotation angle detected by the sensor.