Method and apparatus for cycle-based programming of a control program for a numerically controlled machine tool

A computer-implemented method for cycle-based programming of a control program for a numerically controlled machine tool at a control apparatus of the machine tool, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of machine control cycles, wherein each machine control cycle is associated with a respective predetermined machining operation of processing a workpiece at the machine tool;
• providing workpiece data, in particular raw part data and/or machined part data, comprising 3D data indicative of at least part of a 3D model of a workpiece to be machined at the machine tool;
• associating geometrical features, which have been detected and/or identified within a data analysis processing performed on the basis of the provided workpiece data, each detected and/or identified geometrical feature being associated with a respective one of the predetermined machining operations, with a respective one of the machine control cycles which is associated with a respective one of the predetermined machining operations with which the respective associated geometry feature is producible;
• and
• providing, by a graphical user interface on a display of a control panel of the control apparatus of the machine tool, one or more user-selectable options for cycle-based programming of the control program for the machine tool, each user-selectable option enabling a user to select a respective one of the machine control cycles being respectively associated with a respective one of the detected and/or identified geometrical features.