Method of programming primary and secondary machining operations using an interactive numerical control apparatus

A method of programming an interactive numerical control apparatus by inputting data corresponding to a machined shape, using keys on a control panel and answering questions displayed on a display screen, to generate a numerical control program, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) defining a blank shape and a part shade;
• (b) selecting one of a primary machining operation on a first spindle and a secondary machining operation on a second spindle for a machining type of a process to be defined;
• (c) defining a cutting region for the one of the primary and secondary machining operations selected in step (b);
• (d) displaying the blank shape and the part shape for the primary machining operation prior to said defining in step (c);
• (e) displaying the blank shape and the part shape in reverse of said displaying in step (d), after said selecting in step (b) selects the secondary machining operation and before said defining of the cutting region for the secondary machining operation in step (c);
• and
• (f) outputting numerical control data separately for the primary and secondary machining operations, based on the part shape, the machining type, and the cutting region defined in steps (a)-(c).