Numerical control method with a parallel processing function

A numerical control method for parallel processing first and second preparatory processing blocks of command data, comprising the steps of:

• (a) dividing each of said first and second preparatory processing blocks into first and second sub-steps;
• (b) executing the first sub-step of said first preparatory processing block;
• and
• (c) executing the second sub-step of said first preparatory processing block while simultaneously executing the first sub-step of said second preparatory processing block.

An apparatus for performing parallel processing of a numerical control program having first and second preparatory processing steps, said apparatus comprising:

• dividing means for dividing each of the first and second preparatory processing steps into first and second sub-steps;
• first information processing means for executing said first sub-step of the first preparatory processing step;
• and
• second information processing means for executing said second sub-step of the first preparatory processing step while said first information processing means simultaneously executes said first sub-step of the second preparatory processing step.

A numerical control apparatus, comprising:

• a first processor for receiving a block of command data, executing a first partial process of a preparatory processing block, and for outputting intermediate data;
• a first storage unit, operatively connected to said first processor, for storing the intermediate data;
• a second processor, operatively connected to said first storage unit, for receiving the intermediate data from said first storage unit, executing a second partial process of the preparatory processing block concurrently with the executing of said first processor, and for outputting executable data,
• a second storage unit, operatively connected to said second processor, for storing the executable data;
• and
• a third processor, operatively connected to said second storage unit, for receiving the executable data from said second storage unit and for executing the executable data, concurrently with the executing of said second processor, to prduce pulse distribution signals.