Means and method for translating a turret punch press control program into a laser beam machine control program

A program translating apparatus for use of a laser beam machine, comprising;

• a first memory means for storing a mold machining program which is used for machining a hole using a laser beam machine, said machining hole corresponding to the configuration of a punched hole which is formed by each mold of a turret punch press, and,
• second memory means for storing first translation program groups adapted to calculate the position of each hole when one or more holes are machined using the same mold, and to generate a machining path for the laser beam machine according to the mold machining program which is stored in said first memory means with reference to said calculated hole position, and
• third memory means for storing second translation program groups adapted to generate a machining path used when a predetermined area which is successively machined by the turret punch press, is machined by the laser beam machine, and,
• program translation calculating means for reading out the first and second translation program groups, which are stored in said second and third memory means, according to a machining program of the turret punch press and generating a machining path of said laser beam machine from the machining program of the turret punch press according to said first and second translation program groups.