Computer generated graphic depiction of manual machining operations

An apparatus for guiding the operation of a manual machine tool for machining a workpiece with a cutting tool by presenting machining requirements, on a graphical display, in pictorial form and combining said presentation with a superimposed graphic representation of the current and past positions of said cutting tool, such that said display shows pictorially the tool motion relative to said workpiece relative to said requirements, comprising:

• (a) said graphic display device comprised of an array of controllable picture elements
• (b) a memory means to retain program instructions and parameters
• (c) a computer comprised of a processing unit, memory and interconnecting means for controlling said graphic display
• (d) a means for measuring the position of said cutting tool relative to said workpiece to be shaped in a plurality of axes,
• (e) a plurality of program instructions for the purpose of combining said machining requirements and said cutting tool position indications into said graphic representations,
• (f) a means of data entry for said machining requirements whereby a manual machine operator can rapidly, visually machine material to approximate said machining requirements prior to final machining using said graphic presentation, and whereby said operator can use said graphic presentation to machine material to satisfy final machining requirements,
• (g) said display means includes a target comprised of a means for identifying the target position and a means for indicating the current tool position relative to the target whereby the tool position indication relative to the target represents the error while following a curved or angle tool path machining requirement and, whereby a machine tool operator can use said target presentation to accurately follow a curved or angle tool path machining requirement.