Modular numerical control system with automatic programming function

A numerical control system having an automatic programming unit for executing automatic programming and a numerical control unit for executing numerical control, comprising:

• an operator's panel, for the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit, for inputting first selection information indicating one of an automatic programming mode and a numerical control mode and for inputting second selection information;
• a display device for the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit;
• an input/output unit for inputting a first numerical control program to one of the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit and outputting a second numerical control program from the automatic programming unit;
• and
• a selection control unit, operatively connected to said operator's panel, said display device, said input/output unit, the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit, for selectively connecting said operator's panel and said display device to the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit in dependence upon the first selection information indicating the one of the automatic programming mode and the numerical control mode and for selectively connecting said input/output unit to one of the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit based ontthe second selection information indicating the one of the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit with which said input/output unit is to be operatively connected.

A numerical control system having an automatic programming unit for executing automatic programming and a numerical control unit for executing numerical control, comprising:

• an operator's panel for inputting first selection information indicating one of an automatic programming mode and a numerical control mode and for inputting second selection information, comprising:
• a first key group for use with the automatic programming unit;
• a second key group for use with the numerical control unit;
• a data input key group for use with the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit;
• and
• a display device for the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit;
• an input/output unit for the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit;
• and
• a selection control unit, operatively connected to the first, second and data key groups of said operator's panel, said display device, said input/output unit, the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit, for selectively connecting said operator's panel and said display device to the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit in dependence upon the first selection information indicating the one of the automatic programming mode and the numerical control mode and for selectively connecting said input/output unit to one of the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit based on the second selection information indicating the one of the automatic programming unit and the numerical control unit with which said input/output unit is to be operatively connected and for rendering the second key group in active and applying first information, entered from the first key group and the data input key group, to the automatic programming unit in the automatic programming mode, and for rendering the first key group inactive and applying second information, entered from the second key group and the data input key group, to the numerical control unit in the numerical control mode.