Machining method and machining apparatus

A machining apparatus comprising:

• moving means for moving a table and a main shaft relatively to each other in directions of X-, Y- and Z-axes perpendicular to one another, said table being mounted with a work, said main shaft holding a tool, said moving means being operated to machine said work;
• drive means for moving said work in each of said X-axis direction and said Y-axis direction relatively to said Z-axis corresponding to an axis of said tool, prior to machining;
• response property detecting means for obtaining positioning response data until stabilizing a position deviation within a predetermined allowable range from a command-reach time after moving said work in each of said X- and Y-axis directions with respect to said Z-axis corresponding to an axis of said tool, prior to machining;
• and
• positioning control means for determining a lowering timing of movement of said tool in said Z-axis direction based on said obtained positioning response data.

A machining apparatus comprising:

• moving means for moving a table and a main shaft relatively to each other in directions of X-, Y- and Z-axes perpendicular to one another, said table being mounted with a work, said main shaft holding a tool, said moving means being operated to machine said work;
• program storage means for storing examination programs and machining programs;
• analyzing means for reading said machining programs from said storage means and analyzing said programs;
• pattern storage means for storing a pattern and a stabilization time of predetermined moving operation;
• pattern matching judging means for judging matching between moving operation analyzed by said analyzing means and said moving operation stored in said pattern storage means;
• drive control means for moving said work and/or said tool in said X- and Y-axis directions;
• command creating means for creating a Z-axis lowering command to said drive control means;
• and
• response analyzing means for analyzing position response of said work and/or said tool in each of said axes driven by said drive control means;
• wherein prior to machining, said table and said tool are moved in two directions perpendicular to said Z-axis corresponding to said main shaft under specified examination conditions, a stabilization time required until position response of said moving means reaches and stays within a predetermined allowable range is obtained after a command-reach time of a positioning command, and at the time of machining, said tool is moved in said Z-axis direction based on said obtained stabilization time.