Numerical control unit with the option of modifying the sub-program

A method of operating a numerical control unit, comprising:

• loading a sub-program executable by the numerical control unit to control a production machine into memory accessible to the numerical control unit;
• entering a command into the numerical control unit selecting at least one program instruction of a sequence of program instructions in the sub-program using an operator interface;
• conveying an item of information identifying the at least one selected program instruction using a computer-computer connection directly or indirectly from the numerical control unit to a CAM system that generated the sub-program;
• conveying a parameterized description of the sequence of program instructions containing the at least one selected program instruction to the numerical control unit using the computer-computer connection between the CAM system and the numerical control unit;
• outputting the parameterized description from the numerical control unit to the user of the numerical control unit using the operator interface;
• inputting a change in the parameterized description to the numerical control unit using a operator interface;
• transmitting the modified parameterized description from the numerical control unit to the CAM system;
• and
• entering a modified sub-program from the CAM system that corresponds to the modified parameterized description transmitted to the CAM system, into the numerical control unit.

A computer program, wherein the computer program is machine code configured for execution by a numerical control unit to control a production machine, the program including a sub-program, the computer program comprising:

• machine code that selects at least one program instruction of a sequence of program instructions in the sub-program in response to a selection entered into the numerical control unit using a operator interface,
• machine code that conveys an item of information identifying the at least one selected program instruction using a computer-computer connection directly or indirectly from the numerical control unit to a CAM system that generated the sub-program;
• machine code receiving a parameterized description of the sequence of program instructions containing the at least one selected program instruction from the computer-computer connection between the CAM system and the numerical control unit and outputting the parameterized description from the numerical control unit to the user of the numerical control unit using the operator interface;
• machine code entering a change in the parameterized description the numerical control unit received from the operator interface;
• machine code transmitting the modified parameterized description from the numerical control unit to the CAM system;
• and
• machine code receiving a modified sub-program from the CAM system corresponding to the modified parameterized description transmitted to the CAM system.

A numerical control unit, comprising:

• an operator interface;
• a computer program loaded into the numerical control unit, the computer program including a sub-program executable by the numerical control unit to control a production machine, the sub-program including:
• machine code that selects at least one program instruction of a sequence of program instructions in the sub-program in response to a selection entered into the numerical control unit using a operator interface,
• machine code that conveys an item of information identifying the at least one selected program instruction using a computer-computer connection directly or indirectly from the numerical control unit to a CAM system that generated the sub-program;
• machine code receiving a parameterized description of the sequence of program instructions containing the at least one selected program instruction from the computer-computer connection between the CAM system and the numerical control unit and outputting the parameterized description from the numerical control unit to the user of the numerical control unit using the operator interface;
• machine code entering a change in the parameterized description the numerical control unit received from the operator interface;
• machine code transmitting the modified parameterized description from the numerical control unit to the CAM system;
• and
• machine code receiving a modified sub-program from the CAM system corresponding to the modified parameterized description transmitted to the CAM system.