System and method for automatic local return for lathe NC-machining cycle interruption

A computer-program product tangibly embodied in a machine readable medium to perform method of monitoring a machine cycle, comprising:

• instructions for tracking an elapsed cumulative measure;
• instructions for comparing said elapsed cumulative measure with a cycle interrupt interval, the cycle interrupt interval having a first range limit and a second range limit;
• instructions for interrupting a machining cycle after the elapsed cumulative measure has exceeded the first range limit and at the earlier of
• when a machine operation is completed or
• when the elapsed cumulative measure reaches the second range limit;
• and
• instructions for performing a local return to a defined position upon said interrupting step.

A data processing system comprising a processor and accessible memory, and configured to implement a method of monitoring a machine cycle by performing the steps of:

• tracking an elapsed cumulative measure of operation of a machine;
• comparing said elapsed cumulative measure with a cycle interrupt interval, the cycle interrupt interval having a first range limit and a second range limit;
• interrupting a machining cycle after the elapsed cumulative measure has exceeded the first range limit and at the earlier of
• when a machine operation is completed or
• when the elapsed cumulative measure reaches the second range limit;
• and
• performing a local return to a defined position upon said interrupting step.