A numerical control method for controlling movement of a processing tool which applies internal surface processing to a recessed part formed in advance in a workpiece, the numerical control method comprising:
- a tool moving path setting operation to pre-read a processing program and to set a moving path to be taken by the processing tool upon completion of the internal surface processing, wherein
- the tool moving path setting operation further includes:
- a step of setting a retreat position with respect to the recessed part to be assumed by the processing tool upon completion of the internal surface processing, on a basis of the pre-read processing program;
- a step of setting a stop angle to be formed upon completion of the internal surface processing by a cutting edge attached to the processing tool, on a basis of a moving direction in which the processing tool is to move from the retreat position;
- and
- a step of setting a retreat path from the stop position to the retreat position to be taken by the processing tool upon completion of the internal surface processing, and
- the stop angle is set in such a manner that a pointing direction of a tip of the cutting edge falls within a stop range defined so as not to have a moving vector component oriented in a same direction as the moving direction.