Apparatus and method for creating machining region data

A machining region data creation apparatus for decoding inputted three-dimensional shape data to create machining data for machining a work piece based on the decoding, comprising:

• machining finish shape input means for receiving three-dimensional finish shape data,
• machining region extraction means for extracting shapes and features of machining regions based on the three-dimensional finish shape data,
• machining region analysis means for analyzing the shapes and the features of the machining regions based on three-dimensional shape data of the machining regions and recognizing cylindrically-shaped machining regions as boring regions, and
• boring region classification means for classifying into a group boring regions having identical features, the features including a bore diameter, a bore end height for each end of the bore, a machine shaft direction, and whether the bore is a through bore.