Method and apparatus for display of machining status

A numerically controlled apparatus having a plurality of moveable axes, each being controlled by at least one machining program, comprising:

• a numerical control section for computing the axis movement quantity of at least one axis on the basis of said at least one machining program;
• axis movement direction creation means for determining the direction of the movement of said axis on the basis of said axis movement quantity;
• axis speed data creation means for determining the speed of axis movement on the basis of said axis movement quantity;
• an axis movement symbol storage section in which axis movement symbols representing axis directivity and speed are stored;
• axis movement symbol creation means for selecting, from said storage section, axis movement symbols that match the direction and speed of axis movement determined respectively by said axis movement direction creation means and axis speed data creation means;
• and
• a display section for displaying said current position of said axis on the basis of said axis movement quantity and said selected axis movement symbols.

A method of identifying the operation of a program-controlled machining apparatus having at least one of a moveable tool and moveable workpiece comprising:

• determining the movement quantity of said at least one of a tool and a workpiece;
• determining the movement direction of said at least one of a tool and a workpiece on the basis of said movement quantity;
• storing movement symbols having at least directivity information;
• selecting from among said stored movement symbols a symbol that matches said determined movement direction;
• and
• displaying said selected symbol.

A method of identifying the movement of at least one of a moveable tool and a moveable workpiece, having at least one axis for effecting movement, comprising:

• storing axis movement symbols representing directivity and speed;
• computing an axis movement quantity for said axis on the basis of machining programs;
• determining the direction of the movement of said axis on the basis of said axis movement quantity;
• determining the speed of axis movement on the basis of said axis movement quantity;
• selecting from among said stored symbols, axis movement symbols that substantially match said determined direction and speed of axis movement;
• and
• displaying said selected axis movement symbols.