Computer numerical control machine tool

In a computer numerical control for point-to-point positioning of a machine tool on at least two axes comprising:

• (a) an input terminal having a keyboard with alpha-numeric input plus functional keys:
• (b) display means for showing the position of the machine tool at any time in X and Y coordinates, and having a display means which may be selectively used to output position number, tool number, and feed rate information;
• (c) cassette tape input means;
• (d) a microprocessor having an arithmetic logic unit, a CPU, RAM and ROM, and data and address handling means;
• (e) means for controlling the microprocessor through the keyboard to input to RAM, X and Y coordinates of positions for machining in addition to speed of travel between positions;
• (f) means for converting the input data from English or metric units to machine language for storage in direct control of the X and Y axes of the machine tool;
• and
• (g) means for reconverting the machine language store to English or metric units for program checking or control.

In a computer numerical control for point-to-point positioning of a machine tool on at least two axes, a circular interpolation means comprising:

• (a) an input terminal having a keyboard with alpha-numeric input plus functional keys;
• (b) display means for both X and Y axes;
• (c) cassette tape input means;
• (d) microprocessor having an arithmetic logic unit,
• a CPU, RAM and ROM, and data and address handling means;
• (e) means for controlling the microprocessor through the keyboard to input to RAM, X and Y coordinates of positions for machining in addition to speed of travel between positions;
• (f) means for storing coordinates of a circular interpolation routine in the form of
• (1) a starting coordinate in X and Y data,
• (2) center coordinates in X and Y data,
• (3) end point coordinates in X and Y data,
• (4) clockwise or counterclockwise movement;
• (g) means for calculating the position of the circular interpolation over an infinite number of discrete points without regard to quadrants;
• (h) calculating means to locate the tool at these discrete points;
• and
• (j) comparison means to compare the calculated position with the actual position to guide the machine tool in a continuous path radius compensation.