Automatic programming method for punch press and apparatus for the same

An automatic programming method to be used for preparing a machining program for a punch press, the method comprising:

• registering a plurality of template profiles and at least one template machining data in association with each of the plurality of template profiles, each of the template profiles representing a characteristic portion of a graphic image to be used for machining, each of the at least one template machining data including a machining method that achieves the associated template profile;
• extracting a characteristic portion of a graphic image for a machining operation of a workpiece;
• collating the extracted characteristic portion and each of the registered template profiles;
• reading out the at least one template machining data associated with one of the plurality of template profiles recognized based upon the collating, to be corresponding to the extracted characteristic portion;
• and
• automatically preparing a machining program by assigning one of the read out at least one template machining data having a highest priority to the extracted characteristic portion.

An automatic programming apparatus used for preparing a machining program for a punch press, comprising:

• a machining rule memory that registers a plurality of template profiles and at least one template machining data in association with each of the plurality of template profiles, each of the template profiles representing a characteristic portion of a graphic image to be used for machining, each of the at least one template machining data including a machining method that achieves the associated template profile;
• a characteristic extracting section that extracts a characteristic portion of a graphic image for a machining operation of a workpiece;
• a collating section that collates the extracted characteristic portion and each of the registered template profiles;
• a machining design data reader that reads the at least one template machining data associated with one of the plurality of template profiles recognized based upon the collating, to be corresponding to the extracted characteristic portion;
• and
• a machining program preparing section that automatically prepares a machining program by assigning one of the read at least one template machining data having a highest priority to the extracted characteristic portion.