Computer driven control system for a numerically controlled machine tool

A system for operating a numerically controlled machine tool, said numerically controlled machine tool including a machine control unit connected to and physically located with said machine tool for controlling operation thereof, said machine control unit having a program paper tape reader associated with it for operating said machine tool from a programmed paper tape, comprising:

• a general purpose computer located remotely from the site of said machine tool, said general purpose computer containing a control program for said machine tool;
• a dedicated microprocessor located proximate to said machine tool operatively connected to said general purpose computer for receiving said control program;
• a dedicated storage memory operatively connected to said dedicated microprocessor in which at least one of said control programs for said machine tool may be stored;
• an input/output peripheral device connected to said dedicated microprocessor for permitting correcting of the control program at said machine tool;
• a tape reader interface operatively connected between said microprocessor said machine control unit, said dedicated microprocessor being operatively connected to said machine control unit behind the tape reader so that said machine control unit may be operated by one of said microprocessor and a programmed paper tape;
• and
• means for operatively connecting said dedicated microprocessor to said general purpose computer on a time sharing basis to permit both reception of the control program from and correction of the control program in said general purpose computer from said input/output peripheral device.

A method of operating a numerically controlled machine tool, said numerically controlled machine tool including a machine control unit, comprising the steps:

• generating a control program for said machine tool on a remotely located, time sharing general purpose computer;
• transmitting the control program to a computer dedicated to the numerically controlled machine at the location of said machine tool;
• storing said control program in a storage memory operatively associated with said dedicated computer at the location of said machine tool;
• disassociating said dedicated computer from said time share general computer;
• operating said machine control unit from said dedicated computer;
• correcting said control program as required from an input/output terminal located proximate said machine tool;
• reassociating said dedicated computer with said general purpose computer to correct the control program maintained in said general purpose computer;
• and
• disassociating said dedicated computer from said general time sharing computer after said last-mentioned reassociating step.

A computer driven, numerically controlled system, comprising:

• a machine tool responsive to numerical control data;
• a machine control unit operatively connected to said machine control unit having an input operatively connected to a tape reader;
• a tape reader connected to said machine control unit;
• a general purpose computer having numerical control data stored in it;
• a computer located at said machine tool, said machine tool computer being adapted for post processing operation on numerical control data including separation of part oriented data from machine tool control data for a first machine tool, and generating numerical control data for a record machine tool by combining said part oriented data and control data for said second machine tool independently of said general purpose computer;
• data storage means accessible by said machine tool computer for storing numerical control data;
• means for operatively connecting one of said tape reader and said machine tool computer to said machine control unit;
• means for operatively connecting said machine tool computer to said general purpose computer on a time sharing basis;
• and
• an input/output device including a video display and keyboard terminal at said machine tool computer and operatively connected to said general purpose computer through said time sharing means and to said machine tool computer to provide access to said numerical control data at said general purpose computer and said data storage means at said machine tool computer.