Low-rigidity workpiece machining assistance system

A machining assistance system for assisting a machining apparatus, the machining apparatus including:

• a workpiece retaining tool that retains a workpiece;
• a machining unit that machines the workpiece retained by the workpiece retaining tool by driving a working tool;
• and a machining control device that performs control of moving the machining unit relative to the workpiece retaining tool to position the working tool at a machining position,
• the machining assistance system comprising:
• a workpiece supporting force generating unit that generates workpiece supporting force against machining reaction force that is exerted on a machining portion of the workpiece by the working tool;
• a supporting device that moves the supporting force generating unit while supporting the supporting force generating unit;
• and
• a workpiece supporting force control device that controls operation of the workpiece supporting force generating unit and operation of the supporting device based on machining reaction force related data related to the machining reaction force and machining position related data related to the machining position of the working tool, such that the workpiece supporting force generating unit exerts the workpiece supporting force on the workpiece against the machining reaction force.