Apparatus and method for feedback-adjusting working condition for improving dimensional accuracy of processed workpieces

A method of processing at least one working portion provided on each of a plurality of workpieces, such that said workpieces are successively processed one after another by a working machine, comprising the steps of:

• operating a post-process measuring device to measure actual dimensions of the working portions of the workpieces which have been processed by said working machine, such that between said machine and said post-process measuring device, there exists at least one pre-measured workpiece previously processed by said machine and which has not been measured by said measuring device;
• obtaining dimensional data including a dimensional error of the processed working portions of the workpieces, and a derivative of said dimensional error of the workpieces, said derivative representing a gradient of a straight line approximating successive measured values represented by the outputs of said post-process measuring device, said successive measured values consisting of a currently measured value currently obtained by said post-process measuring device and at least one measured value which precedes said currently measured value;
• and
• feeding back said dimensional data to said working machine, to adjust a working condition of said machine on the basis of said dimensional data, for subsequent working operation on the working portions of the workpieces according to the adjusted working condition.

A feedback compensating apparatus for a working system including a working machine for successively processing a plurality of workpieces, and machine control means for determining a working condition of said working machine on the basis of an extraneous signal, and controlling said working machine according to the determined working condition, the apparatus comprising;

• a measuring device for measuring actual dimensions of working portions of the workpieces processed by said working machine,
• said measuring device including a post-process measuring device for measuring the actual dimensions of the working portions of the workpieces previously processed by said working machine, said post-process measuring device being positioned relative to said working machine such that there exists at least one pre-measured workpiece which has been processed by said machine and which has not been measured by said post-process measuring device and further comprising;
• data obtaining means for obtaining dimensional data on the basis of outputs of said post-process measuring device, said dimensional data including a dimensional error of the processed workpieces, and a derivative of said dimensional error of the workpieces, said data obtaining mans obtaining a present value of an estimated dimension of the working portions of the workpieces on the basis of a predetermined first number of successive measured values represented by the outputs of said post-process measuring device, said predetermined first number of successive measured values consisting of a currently measured value currently obtained by said post-process measuring device and at least one measured value which precedes said currently measured value;
• said data obtaining means for obtaining a present dimensional error value which is a difference between said present value of said estimated dimension and a nominal dimension of the working portion of said each workpiece, said data obtaining means including means for obtaining a present value of said derivative, on the basis of a predetermined second number of successive dimensional error values, when said present dimensional error value is obtained, said predetermined second number of successive dimensional error values including said present dimensional error value and at least one error value which precedes said present dimensional error value, said derivative representing a gradient of a straight line approximating said successive dimensional error values;
• said data obtaining means including at least one of the dimension estimating means and the derivative obtaining means, said present value of said estimate dimension in a first manner when the number of the successive measured values currently available is not smaller than said predetermined first number, and in a second manner different from said first manner, when the number of said successive measured values currently available is smaller than said predetermined first number, said derivative obtaining means obtaining said present value of said variable in a third manner when the number of the successive dimensional error value currently available is not smaller than said predetermined second number, and in a fourth manner different from said third manner, when the number of said successive dimensional error values currently available is smaller than said predetermined second number;
• and
• compensating means for determining a compensating signal as said extraneous signal on the basis of said present value of said estimated dimension and said present value of said derivative, and for applying said compensating signal to said machine control means, to adjust said working condition of said working machine.

A method of processing a plurality of workpieces by a working system including a working machine for successively processing said plurality of workpieces, and machine control means for determining a working condition of said working machine on the basis of an extraneous signal, and for controlling said working machine according to the determined working condition, and a post-process measuring device for measuring actual dimensions of working portions of the workpieces processed by said working machine, said method comprising the steps of:

• operating said post-process measuring device to measure the actual dimensions of the working portions of the workpieces which have been processed by said machine, such that between said machine and said measuring device, there exists at least one pre-measured workpiece which has been processed by said machine and which has not been measured by said measuring device;
• obtaining dimensional data on the basis of outputs of said post-process measuring device, said dimensional data including a dimensional error of the processed workpieces, and a derivative of said dimensional error of the workpieces, said step of obtaining dimensional data including the sub-steps of (a) obtaining a present value of an estimated dimension of the working portions of the workpieces on the basis of a predetermined first number of successive measured values represented by the outputs of said measuring device, when each of the workpieces is measured by the measuring device, said predetermined first number of successive measured values consisting of a currently measured value currently obtained by said measuring device and at least one measured value which precedes said currently measured value, (b) obtaining a present dimensional error value which is a difference between said present value of said estimated dimension and a nominal dimension of the working portion of said each workpiece, and (c) obtaining a present value of said derivative, on the basis of a predetermined second number of successive dimensional error values, when said present dimensional error value is obtained, said predetermined second number of successive dimensional error values including said present dimensional error value and at least one error value which precedes said present dimensional error value;
• determining a compensating signal as said extraneous signal on the basis of said present value of said estimated dimension and said present value of said derivative;
• and
• applying said compensating signal to said machine control means, to adjust said working condition of said working machine,
• and wherein said step of obtaining dimensional data comprises at least one of two substeps (d) and (e), said substep (d) comprising obtaining said present value of said estimated dimension in a first manner when the number of the successive measured values currently available is not smaller than said predetermined first number, and in a second manner different from said first manner, when the number of said successive measured values currently available is smaller than said predetermined first number, said substep (e) including obtaining said present value of said derivative in a third manner when the number of the successive dimensional error values currently available is not smaller than said predetermined second number, and in a fourth manner different from said third manner, when the number of said successive dimensional error values currently available is smaller than said predetermined second number.

A feedback compensating apparatus for a working system including (a) a working machine for successively processing a plurality of workpieces one after another, each of said workpieces having at least three working portions in the form of at least three coaxial outer cylindrical surfaces arranged spaced from one another in an axial direction thereof, said working machine including an array of working tools which correspond to said at least three working portions, respectively, said array of working tools being moved relative to said each workpiece to simultaneously process said working portions, (b) an in-process measuring device having two in-process measuring heads for measuring diameter values of respective two end working portions of said at least three working portions, during a working operation of said machine on said each workpiece, said two end working portions being located near opposite axial ends of said each workpiece, (c) a post-process measuring device for measuring diameter values of said at least three working portions, respectively, after said each workpiece is processed by said machine, (d) and machine control means for performing an in-process control of an operating angle of said array of working tools relative to said each workpiece and terminating said working operation of the machine on said each workpiece, on the basis of said diameter values of said two end working portions measured by said in-process measuring heads, in relation to two reference values set for said two end working portions, respectively, said feedback compensating apparatus being used with said post-process measuring device and said machine control means, said apparatus comprising:

• determining means for determining two compensating values for adjusting said two reference values, on the basis of said diameter values of all of said at least three working portions of said each workpiece measured by said post-process measuring device, said determining means including diameter adjusting means for adjusting the diameter values of said two end working portions of the workpiece measured by said post-process measuring device so that the diameter values of all of said at least three working portions measured by said post-process measuring device lie on a line which assures a gradual change in said axial direction;
• and
• applying means for applying said two compensating values to said machine control means.

A feedback compensating apparatus for a working system including (a) a working machine for successively processing a plurality of workpieces one after another, each of said workpieces having at least three working portions in the form of at least three coaxial outer cylindrical surfaces arranged in an axial direction thereof, said working machine including an array of working tools which correspond to said at least three working portions, respectively, said array of working tools being moved relative to said each workpiece to simultaneously process said working portions, (b) an in-process measuring device having two in-process measuring heads for measuring diameter values of respective two end working portions of said at least three working portions, during a working operation of said machine on said each workpiece, said two end working portions being located near opposite axial ends of said each workpiece, (c) a post-process measuring device for measuring diameter values of said at least three working portions, respectively, after said each workpiece is processed by said machine, and (d) machine control means for performing an in-process control of an operating angle of said array of working tools relative to said each workpiece and terminating said working operation of the machine on said each workpiece, on the basis of said diameter values of said two end working portions measured by said in-process measuring heads, in relation to two reference values set for said two end working portions, respectively, said feedback compensating apparatus being used with said post-process measuring device and said machine control means said apparatus comprising:

• determining means for determining two compensating values for adjusting said two reference values, on the basis of said diameter values of all of said at least three working portions of said each workpiece measured by said post-process measuring device, said determining means including diameter adjusting means for adjusting the diameter values of said two end working portions of the workpiece measured by said post-process measuring device so that the diameter values of said all of said at least three working portions measured by said post-process measuring device lie on a line which assures a gradual change in said axial direction;
• and
• applying means for applying said two compensating values to said machine control means,
• wherein said determining means includes:
• diameter adjusting means for adjusting the diameter values of said two end working portions of the workpiece measured by said post-process measuring device, so that the diameter values of all of said at least three working portions measured by said post-process measuring device lie on a first order regression line;
• data obtaining means for obtaining dimensional error data relating to a dimensional error of each of said two end working portions, on the basis of the diameter values of said two end working portions adjusted by said diameter adjusting means;
• and
• means for determining said two compensating values for adjusting said two reference values, on the basis of said dimensional error data.

A method of processing a plurality of workpieces by a working system including (a) a working machine for successively processing said plurality of workpieces one after another, each of said workpieces having at least three working portions in the form of at least three coaxial outer cylindrical surfaces arranged spaced from one another in an axial direction thereof, said working machine including an array of working tools which correspond to said at least three working portions, respectively, said array of working tools being moved relative to said each workpiece to simultaneously process said working portions, (b) an in-process measuring device having two in-process measuring heads for measuring diameter values of respective two end working portions of said at least three working portions, during a working operation of said machine on said each workpiece, said two end working portions being located near opposite axial ends of said each workpiece, (c) a post-process measuring device for measuring diameter values of said plurality of working portions, respectively, after said each workpiece is processed by said machine, and (d) machine control means for performing an in-process control of an operating angle of said array of working tools relative to said each workpiece and terminating said working operation of the machine on said each workpiece, on the basis of said diameter values of said two end working portions measured by said in-process measuring heads, in relation to two reference values set for said two end working portions, respectively, said method comprising the steps of:

• determining two compensating values for adjusting said two reference values, on the basis of said diameter values of all of said at least three working portions of said each workpiece measured by said post-process measuring device, said step of determining two compensating values including adjusting the diameter values of said two end working portions of the workpiece measured by said post-process measuring device so that the diameter values of all of said at least three working portions measured by said post-process measuring device lie on a line which assures a gradual change in said axial direction;
• and
• applying said two compensating values to said machine control means.

A feedback compensating apparatus for a working system including (a) a working machine for performing a working operation on each of at least one working portion of each of a plurality of workpieces of at least one kind, to process said each working portion as desired, such that working operations on said plurality of workpieces take place successively one after another, (b) machine control means for determining a working condition of said machine on the basis of an extraneous signal, and controlling said machine according to the determined working condition, and (c) a post-process measuring device for measuring actual dimensions of the working portions of the workpieces processed by said machine, said feedback compensating apparatus being used with said machine control means and said post-process measuring machine, said apparatus comprising:

• dimensional data obtaining means for obtaining a set of dimensional error data relating to a dimensional error of the processed working portions of the workpieces, for each of said at least one kind of the workpieces, on the basis of outputs of said post-process measuring device;
• number data obtaining means for obtaining the number of pre-measured workpieces of each of said at least one kind which have been processed by said machine and which have not been measured by said post-process measuring device;
• and
• compensating means for determining as said extraneous signal a compensating value for said each kind of the workpieces, on the basis of said set of dimensional error data and said number of said pre-measured workpieces of the corresponding kind which have been obtained by said dimensional data obtaining means and said number data obtaining means, respectively, said compensating means applying said compensating value to said machine control means, to adjust said working condition of said machine for the workpieces of said each kind to be subsequently processed.

A method of processing a plurality of workpieces by a working system including (a) a working machine for performing a working operation on each of at least one working portion of each of said workpieces of at least one kind, to process said each working portion as desired, such that working operations on said plurality of workpieces take place successively one after another, (b) machine control means for determining a working condition of said machine on the basis of an extraneous signal, and controlling said machine according to the determined working condition, and (c) a post-process measuring device for measuring actual dimensions of the working portions of the workpieces processed by said machine, said method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a set of dimensional error data relating to a dimensional error of the processed working portions of the workpieces, for each of said at least one kind of the workpieces, on the basis of outputs of said post-process measuring device;
• obtaining the number of pre-measured workpieces of each of said at least one kind which have been processed by said machine and which have not been measured by said post-process measuring device;
• determining as said extraneous signal a compensating value for said each kind of the workpieces, on the basis of said set of dimensional error data and said number of said pre-measured workpieces of the corresponding kind which have been obtained by said dimensional data obtaining means and said number data obtaining means, respectively;
• and applying said compensating value to said machine control means, to adjust said working condition of said machine for the workpieces of said each kind to be subsequently processed.

A feedback compensating apparatus for a working system including (a) a working machine for successively processing a plurality of workpieces, (b) machine control means for determining a working condition of said working machine on the basis of an extraneous signal, and controlling said working machine according to the determined working condition, and (c) a post-process measuring device for measuring actual dimensions of working portions of the workpieces processed by said working machine, said working system permitting existence between said machine and said measuring device, of at least one pre-measured workpiece which has been processed by said machine and which has not been measured by said measuring device, said feedback compensating apparatus being used with said machine control means and said measuring device, said apparatus comprising:

• determining means for determining as said extraneous signal a compensating value for adjusting said working condition of said working machine for the workpieces to be processed subsequently by said machine, on the basis of the actual dimensions of the working portions of the workpieces which have been measured by said measuring device, said determining means updating said compensating value from time to time on an intermittent basis while said workpieces processed by said machine are measured successively by said measuring device, such that said determining means changes said compensating value from a last value to a present value, only after a first one of the workpieces processed by said machine under the working condition adjusted by said last value has been measured by said measuring device, whereby said compensating value is not updated for a period after said last value is determined and before said first one of the workpieces has been measured;
• and
• applying means for applying said compensating value to said machine control means.

A feedback compensating apparatus for a working system including (a) a working machine for successively processing a plurality of workpieces, (b) machine control means for determining a working condition of said working machine on the basis of an extraneous signal and controlling said working machine according to the determined working condition, and (c) a post-process measuring device for measuring actual dimensions of working portions of the workpieces processed by said working machine, said working system permitting existence between said machine and said measuring device, of at least one pre-measured workpiece which has been processed by said machine and which has not been measured by said measuring device, said feedback compensating apparatus being used with said machine control means and said measuring device, said apparatus comprising:

• determining means for determining, as said extraneous signal a compensating value for adjusting said working condition of said working machine for the workpieces to be processed subsequently by said machine, on the basis of the actual dimensions of the working portions of the workpieces which have been measured by said measuring device, said determining means updating said compensating value from time to time on an intermittent basis while said workpieces processed by said machine are measured successively by said measuring device, such that said determining means changes said compensating value from a last value to a present value, only after a first one of the workpieces processed by said machine under the working condition adjusted by said last value has been measured by said measuring device, whereby said compensating value is not updated for a period after said last value is determined and before said first one of the workpieces has been measured;
• and
• applying means for applying said compensating value to said machine control means,
• wherein said determining means includes memory means for storing measured values of said actual dimensions of the processed workpieces obtained by said measuring device, said determining means effects primary compensation and auxiliary compensation to update said compensating value,
• said primary compensation including determining a primary compensating value on the basis of a predetermined first number of said measured values stored in said memory means, when the number of said measured values stored in said memory means has become equal to said predetermined first number,
• said auxiliary compensation including continuing to store said measured values in said memory means even after completion of determination of said primary compensating value, and determining a present provisional compensating value on the basis of a predetermined second number of said measured values stored in said memory means, when each of the processed workpiece is measured by said measuring device, during a time period between a moment of the completion of determination of said primary compensating value and a moment not later than a moment when a workpiece immediately preceding a first one of the workpieces processed by said machine under the working condition adjusted by said primary compensating value has been measured by said measuring device, said determining means determining as a final auxiliary compensating value a difference of said present provisional compensating value from a last provisional compensating value which immediately precedes said present provisional compensating value, said primary compensating value being used as said last provisional compensating values upon determination of said final auxiliary compensating value for the first time,
• said determining means clearing said memory means and resuming an operation to store therein said measured values obtained by said measuring device, after a moment when said measuring device has measured said first one of the workpieces,
• said applying means applying said primary compensating value and said final auxiliary compensating values to said machine control means.

A feedback compensating apparatus for a working system including (a) a working machine for successively processing a plurality of workpieces, (b) machine control means for determining a working condition of said working machine on the basis of an extraneous signal, and controlling said working machine according to the determined working condition, and (c) a post-process measuring device for measuring actual dimensions of working portions of the workpieces processed by said working machine, said working system permitting existence between said machine and said measuring device, of at least one pre-measured workpiece which has been processed by said machine and which has not been measured by said measuring device, said feedback compensating apparatus being used with said machine control means and said measuring device, said apparatus comprising:

• determining means for determining, as said extraneous signal, a compensating value for adjusting said working condition of said working machine for the workpieces to be processed subsequently by said machine, on the basis of the actual dimensions of the working portions of the workpieces which have been measured by said measuring device, said determining means updating said compensating value from time to time on an intermittent basis while said workpieces processed by said machine are measured successively by said measuring device, such that said determining means changes said compensating value from a last value to a present value, only after a first one of the workpieces processed by said machine under the working condition adjusted by said last value has been measured by said measuring device, whereby said compensating value is not updated for a period after said last value is determined and before said first one of the workpieces has been measured;
• and
• applying means for applying said compensating, value to said machine control means,
• wherein said determining means includes memory means for storing measured values of said actual dimensions of the processed workpieces obtained by said measuring device, and determines a present value of said compensating value on the basis of a predetermined number of said measured values stored in said memory means, when the number of said measured values stored in said memory means has become equal to or larger than said predetermined number, said determining means clearing said memory means after completion of determination of said present value,
• said determining means obtaining an estimated value of said actual dimensions of the workpieces, on the basis of said present value of said compensating value and a present one of said measured values, when each of the processed workpieces is measured by said measuring device to obtain said present one of said measured values, during a time period between a moment when said operation to store said measured values in said memory means is resumed and a moment not later than a moment when a workpiece immediately preceding a first one of the workpieces processed by said machine under the working condition adjusted by said present value of said compensating value has been measured by said measuring device, said determining means determining said estimated value as a dimension of the workpiece which would be measured by said measuring device if said workpiece were processed under the working condition of said machine adjusted by said present value of said compensating value, said determining means storing said estimated value in said memory means, as said actual dimension of said workpiece, immediately preceding said first one of the workpieces, each time said estimated value is obtained during said time period.

A feedback compensating apparatus for a working system including (a) a working machine for successively processing a plurality of workpieces, (b) machine control means for determining a working condition of said working machine on the basis of an extraneous signal, and controlling said working machine according to the determined working condition, and (c) a post-process measuring device for measuring actual dimensions of working portions of the workpieces processed by said working machine, said working system permitting existence between said machine and said measuring device, of at least one pre-measured workpiece which has been processed by said machine and which has not been measured by said measuring device, said feedback compensating apparatus being used with said machine control means and said measuring device, said apparatus comprising:

• determining means for determining, as said extraneous signal, a compensating value for adjusting said working condition of said working machine for the workpieces to be processed subsequently by said machine, on the basis of the actual dimensions of the working portions of the workpieces which have been measured by said measuring device, said determining means updating said compensating value from time to time on an intermittent basis while said workpieces processed by said machine are measured successively by said measuring device, such that said determining means chances said compensating value from a last value to a present value, only after a first one of the workpieces processed by said machine under the working condition adjusted by said last value has been measured by said measuring device, whereby said compensating value is not updated for a period after said last value is determined and before said first one of the workpieces has been measured;
• and
• applying means for applying said compensating value to said machine control means,
• wherein said determining means includes memory means for storing measured values of said actual dimensions of the processed workpieces obtained by said measuring device, said determining means effects primary compensation and auxiliary compensation to update said compensating value,
• said primary compensation including determining a primary compensating value on the basis of a predetermined first number of said measured values stored in said memory means, when the number of said measured values stored in said memory means has become equal to or larger than said predetermined first number,
• said auxiliary compensation including continuing to store said measured values in said memory means even after completion of determination of said primary compensating value, and determining a present provisional compensating value on the basis of a predetermined second number of said measured values stored in said memory means, when each of the processed workpieces is measured by said measuring device, during a time period between a moment of the completion of determination of said primary compensating value and a moment not later than a moment when a workpiece immediately preceding a first one of the workpieces processed by said machine under the working condition adjusted by said primary compensating value has been measured by said measuring device, said determining means determining as a final auxiliary compensating value a difference of said present provisional compensating value from a last provisional compensating value which immediately precedes said present provisional compensating value, said primary compensating value being used as said last provisional compensating values upon determination of said final auxiliary compensating value for the first time,
• said determining means clearing said memory means after completion of said auxiliary compensation, and obtaining an estimated value of said actual dimensions of the workpieces, on the basis of said final auxiliary compensating value and a present one of said measured values, when each of the processed workpieces is measured by said measuring device to obtain said present one of said measured values, during a time period between a moment when said operation to store said measured values in said memory means is resumed and a moment not later than a moment when a workpiece immediately preceding a first one of the workpieces processed by said machine under the working condition adjusted by said primary compensating value has been measured by said measuring device, said determining means determining said estimated value as a dimension of the workpiece which would be measured by said measuring device if said workpiece were processed under the working condition of said machine adjusted by said present value of said compensating value, said determining means storing said estimated value in said memory means each time said estimated value is obtained during said time period,
• said applying means applying said primary compensating value and said final auxiliary compensating value to said machine control means.

A method of processing a plurality of workpieces by a working system including (a) a working machine for successively processing the workpieces, (b) machine control means for determining a working condition of said working machine on the basis of an extraneous signal, and controlling said working machine according to the determined working condition, and (c) a measuring device for measuring actual dimensions of working portions of the workpieces processed by said working machine, said working system being adapted to permit existence between said machine and said measuring device, of at least one pre-measured workpiece which has been processed by said machine and which has not been measured by said measuring device, said method comprising the steps of:

• determining as said extraneous signal a compensating value for adjusting said working condition of said working machine for the workpieces to be processed subsequently by said machine, on the basis of the actual dimensions of the working portions of the workpieces which have been measured by said measuring device, said determining means updating said compensating value from time to time on an intermittent basis while said workpieces processed by said machine are measured successively by said measuring device, such that said compensating value is changed from a last value to a present value, only after a first one of the workpieces processed by said machine under the working condition adjusted by said last value has been measured by said measuring device, whereby said compensating value is not updated for a period after said last value is determined and before said first one of the workpieces has been measured;
• and
• applying said compensating value to said machine control means.

A feedback compensating apparatus for a working system including a working machine for successively processing the workpieces, and machine control means for determining a working condition of said working machine on the basis of an extraneous signal, and controlling said working machine according to the determined working condition, the apparatus comprising;

• a post-process measuring device for measuring actual dimensions of working portions of the workpieces processed by said working machine compensating;
• said post-process measuring device being positioned relative to said working machine such that there exists at least one pre-measured workpiece which has been processed by said machine and which has not been measured by said post-process measuring device;
• manual compensating means for effecting a manual adjustment of said working condition of said machine, said manual compensating means for determining as said extraneous signal a manual compensating value to adjust said working condition of said machine, in response to manual compensating data entered by an operator of said machine, said manual compensating means for applying said manual compensating value to said machine control means;
• and
• automatic compensating means for effecting an automatic adjustment of said working condition, said automatic compensating means including means for determining also as said extraneous signal an automatic compensating value for adjusting said work condition of said machine for the workpieces to be processed subsequently by said machine, on the basis of the actual dimensions of the working portion of the workpieces which have been measured by said post-process measuring device, said automatic compensating means for applying said automatic compensating value to said machine control means,
• said automatic compensating means including means for interrupting an operation to effect said automatic adjustment when said manual adjustment by said manual compensating means is started, and for resuming said operation to effect said automatic adjustment, at a moment not earlier than a moment when a first one of the workpieces processed by said machine under the working condition adjusted by said manual compensating value has been measured by said measuring device.

A feedback compensating apparatus for a working system including a working machine for successively processing workpieces, machine control means for determining a working condition of said working machine on the basis of an extraneous signal, and controlling said working machine according to the determined working condition, and a measuring device for measuring actual dimensions of working portions of the workpieces processed by said working machine, said feedback compensating apparatus being used with said machine control means and said measuring device, said apparatus comprising:

• determining means for determining as said extraneous signal a compensating value for adjusting said working conditions of said machine for the workpieces to be processed subsequently by said machine, on the basis of the actual dimensions of the working portion of the workpieces which have been measured by said measuring device, and according to a compensation rule which chances with a change in a dynamic variation amount of measured values of said actual dimensions successively obtained by said measuring device;
• and
• applying means for applying said compensating value to said machine control means;
• wherein said determining means determines said compensating value such that said dynamic variation amount of said measured values of said actual dimensions successively obtained by said measuring device is represented by a derivative of said dimensional error of the workpieces obtained by said data obtaining means, said derivative representing a gradient of a straight line approximating said measured values of said actual dimensions.

A method of processing a plurality of workpieces by a working system including a working machine for successively processing the workpieces, machine control means for determining a working condition of said working machine on the basis of an extraneous signal, and controlling said working machine according to the determined working condition, and a measuring device for measuring actual dimensions of working portions of the workpieces processed by said working machine, said method comprising the steps of:

• determining as said extraneous signal a compensating value for adjusting said working condition of said machine for the workpieces to be processed subsequently by said machine, on the basis of the actual dimensions of the working portion of the workpieces which have been measured by said measuring device, and according to a compensation rule which changes with a change in a dynamic variation amount of measured values of said actual dimensions successively obtained by said measuring device;
• and
• applying said compensating value to said machine control means;
• wherein said step of determining said compensating value comprises determining said compensating value such that said dynamic variation amount of said measured values of said actual dimensions successively obtained by said measuring device is represented by a derivative of said dimensional error of the workpieces obtained by said data obtaining means, said derivative representing a gradient of a straight line approximating said measured values of said actual dimensions.