Numerical control apparatus and numerical control method

A numerical control method of controlling a machine tool having at least two axes, comprising the steps of:

• interactively storing a designated shape for machining a workpiece which is one of an oblique straight line and a circular arc;
• receiving a first signal commanding a first axis and a second signal commanding a second axis, and receiving a pulse signal commanding movement of the machine tool;
• combining the first signal and the second signal with the pulse signal;
• outputting an interpolated pulse signal in accordance with the combined first signal, second signal, and pulse signal such that the machine tool is driven in a first direction and then driven in a second direction in response to the interpolated pulse signal.

A numerical control apparatus for controlling a machine tool, comprising:

• graphic storing means for interactively storing a designated shape for machining a workpiece including one of the following unit shapes:
• an oblique straight line, a circle, and a circular arc, a composite shape made by combining at least two of said unit shapes, or a curved shape including a spline curve;
• movement command means for outputting a pulse signal commanding a movement of the tool in response to a single manual operation;
• first movement command means for outputting a first movement signal commanding movement of the tool in a first direction;
• second movement command means for outputting a second movement signal commanding movement of the tool in a second direction different than the first direction;
• present position storing means for renewing and storing a present position of the tool in response to the pulse signal and the first and second movement signals;
• point of intersection determination means for determining a point of intersection of the designated shape and the present position of the tool and outputting a determination signal;
• and
• interpolation means for combining the first movement signal and the second movement signal and outputting an interpolated pulse signal in response to the determination signal such that the tool is moved in a first direction then a second direction in response to the single manual operation.

A numerical control apparatus for controlling a machine tool having at least two axes, comprising:

• graphic storing means for storing a designated shape for machining a workpiece which is one of an oblique straight line and a circular arc entered in an interactive fashion in accordance with guidance information;
• first movement command means for outputting a first movement signal commanding movement of the tool in a first direction;
• second movement command means for outputting a second movement signal commanding movement of the tool in a second direction different than the first direction;
• interpolation means for combining the first and second movement signal and outputting an interpolated pulse signal in response to the changeover signal;
• present position storing means for storing a present position of the tool in response to the pulse signal;
• and
• distance calculation means for calculating a distance between the present position of the tool and the designated shape and displaying the distance on a display unit,
• wherein the tool is driven in the first direction and then driven in the second direction in response to said changeover signal without changing said changeover signal.

A numerical control apparatus for controlling a machine tool, comprising:

• a graphic storing means to interactively store a shape for machining a workpiece;
• a manual pulse generator to output a pulse signal commanding movement of the tool in response to a single manual operation;
• first movement command means for outputting a first movement signal commanding movement of the tool in a first direction;
• second movement command means for outputting a second movement signal commanding movement of the tool in a second direction different than the first direction;
• and
• interpolation means for combining the first and second movement signal and outputting an interpolated pulse signal in response to the changeover signal,
• wherein the tool is driven in the first direction and then driven in the second direction in response to the single manual operation.

A numerical control apparatus for controlling a machine tool having at least two axes, comprising:

• graphic storing means for interactively storing a designated shape for machining a workpiece which is one of an oblique straight line and a circular arc entered by an operator;
• means for outputting a pulse signal in accordance with a moving speed of the tool which is in accordance with a single manual command entered by the operator;
• first movement command means for outputting a first movement signal commanding movement of the tool in a first direction;
• second movement command means for outputting a second movement signal commanding movement of the tool in a second direction different than the first direction;
• and
• interpolation means for combining the first and second movement signal, and for outputting an interpolated pulse signal to cause the tool to approach a tool path along the designated shape in accordance with the pulse signal, to cause the tool to approach a cutting start point located on the tool path along a circular arc path when the tool reaches a machining start point designated by the operator and to move the tool along the tool path after the tool has approached the cutting start point,
• wherein the tool is driven in the first direction and then driven in the second direction in response to said single manual command entered by the operator.