Numerical control apparatus and method for controlling a machine

A method of controlling a machine tool, using a numerical control apparatus, to perform operations on a workpiece, the method comprising:

• determining and storing a planar first surface and a planar second surface perpendicular to the first surface, at which respective operations on a workpiece have been performed;
• generating a coordinate system using the first and second surfaces as respective axes;
• designating a starting point and ending point of the machine tool based upon the coordinate system;
• and
• moving the machine tool based upon the starting and ending points.

A method of controlling a machine tool, using a numerical control apparatus, to perform operations on a workpiece, the method comprising:

• determining and storing a surface at which an operation on a workpiece has been performed;
• using a present position of the machine tool as a starting point of the machine tool;
• and
• designating, by a user, an angle from the surface with the starting point as a vertex;
• moving the machine tool in a direction from the starting point and in a direction of the angle;
• designating a desired point by the user as an ending point of the machine tool when the machine tool has reached the desired point;
• and
• moving the machine tool based upon the starting and ending points.

A method of controlling a machine tool, using a numerical control apparatus, to perform operations on a workpiece, the method comprising;

• determining and storing a surface at which an operation on a workpiece has been performed;
• designating, by a user, both a present position of the machine tool as a starting point of the machine tool and an angle from the surface with the starting point as a vertex;
• moving the machine tool in a direction from the starting point and in a direction of the angle;
• designating a desired point by the user as an ending point of the machine tool when the machine tool has reached the desired point;
• and
• moving the machine tool based upon the starting and ending points.

A method of controlling a machine tool, using a numerical control apparatus, to perform operations on a workpiece, the method comprising:

• determining and storing a surface at which an operation on a workpiece has been performed;
• determining and storing an additional surface, perpendicular to the surface, at which an additional operation on the workpiece has been performed;
• moving the machine tool in a first direction until the machine tool contacts the surface of the workpiece, and designating the position of contact between the machine tool and the surface of the workpiece as the starting point,
• moving the machine tool from the starting point to another position facing the additional surface;
• moving the machine tool in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction until the machine tool contacts the additional surface of the workpiece, and designating the position of contact between the machine tool and the additional surface of the workpiece being the ending point;
• designating a moving path of the machine tool based upon the starting and ending points;
• and
• moving the machine tool based upon the starting and ending points.

A method of controlling a machine tool, using a numerical control apparatus, to perform operations on a workpiece, the method comprising:

• determining and storing a first surface and a second surface perpendicular to the first surface, at which respective operations on a workpiece have been performed;
• generating a coordinate system using the first and second surfaces as respective axes;
• designating a starting point and ending point of the machine tool based upon the coordinate system;
• designating a moving path of the machine tool based upon the starting and ending points;
• and
• moving the machine tool based upon the moving path.