Automatic programming system

An automatic programming method for creating a numerical control part program by defining figure elements such as straight lines, circles and points constructing a part profile, defining a tool path by using symbols attached to the figure elements, and creating the numeral control part program by using a figure element definition statement for defining the figure elements and a motion statement for defining the tool path, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a tablet surface with a menu table having menu items conforming to various methods of defining points, straight lines and circles;
• (b) displaying previously input figure elements on a display screen;
• (c) picking a menu item on the menu table for specifying the kind of new figure element to be defined and a figure element definition method for defining the new figure element;
• (d) picking at least one figure element displayed on the display screen in accordance with the specified kind of figure element and the specified figure element definition method;
• (e) defining a new figure element using the designated figure element definition method and the picked figure element and storing the new figure element in a memory;
• and
• (f) displaying the new figure element on the display screen.