Numerically controlled machine tool and a program transforming method therefor

A method for optimizing a NC program for operating a numerically controlled machine tool, comprising:

• making the NC program to be loaded into the numerically controlled machine tool, wherein the NC program comprises a plurality of channels;
• designating a portion of the NC program to be determined whether a tool selection command position is changeable;
• storing the NC program in a predetermined memory in the numerically controlled machine tool;
• in waiting conducted in the plurality of channels, determining whether an operating time by a selected tool is shortened by changing the command position;
• and
• executing a timing adjustment to synchronize the plurality of channels;
• and
• changing the command position and making an operating program file for the numerically controlled machine tool.

A numerically controlled machine tool, comprising:

• a NC program to be loaded into the numerically controlled machine tool, wherein the NC program comprises a plurality of channels;
• memory means for storing the NC program whose portion to be determined whether a command position is changeable is designated;
• determining means for determining whether an operating time by the selected tool is shortened by changing the command position in waiting conducted in the plurality of channels;
• timing adjustment means for synchronizing the plurality of channels;
• and
• a numerical control unit for changing the designated command position, and operating the machine tool according to the result of the change.

A numerically controlled machine tool, comprising:

• a NC program to be loaded into the numerically controlled machine tool, wherein the NC program comprises a plurality of channels;
• NC program storage means for storing the NC program;
• machine specific data storage means for storing machine specific data including tool offset;
• determining means for determining whether an operating time by the selected tool is shortened by changing the command position in waiting conducted in the plurality of channels;
• timing adjustment means for synchronizing the plurality of channels;
• data transformation program storage means for storing a transformation program for transforming the NC program into electronic earn data;
• electronic cam data storage means for storing the transformed electronic cam data;
• and
• a numerical control unit for referring to the machine specific data stored in the machine specific data storage means when conducting a transformation in accordance with the transformation program and operating the machine tool according to the result of the transformation.

A method for optimizing a NC program for operating a numerically controlled machine tool, comprising:

• making the NC program to be loaded into the numerically controlled machine tool, wherein the NC program comprises a plurality of channels;
• designating whether or not an operation of a workpiece or a tool in the NC program is to be transformed into electronic cam data in making the NC program;
• storing the NC program in a memory in the numerically controlled machine tool;
• in waiting conducted in the plurality of channels, determining whether an operating time by a selected tool is shortened by changing a command position;
• executing a timing adjustment to synchronize the plurality of channels
• searching the designated operation in the NC program stored in the memory and determining whether it is transformable into electronic cam data;
• transforming the designated operation into electronic cam data by hypothetically operating the workpiece and the tool as described in the NC program;
• making a table for storing the electronic cam data;
• and
• replacing the transformed portion of the NC program by a command referring to the table.