A production system includes a production machine and a control device for generating a control command for the production machine based on production data. The control device includes an analysis apparatus to decide based on a prespecified quality criterion, whether an activated functionality, which is integrated in the control device, or an alternative functionality, which is provided in a database outside the control device or in unactivated form in the control device, is used to translate the production data into the specific control command, so that the control command which is output by the control device is replaced by a control command more suitable to satisfy the prespecified quality criterion. The control device is configured to save a control file for the alternative functionality, to provide the control file for a translation, and to provide the alternative functionality for a prespecified period and/or for a predetermined number of useful cycles.

A numerical controller executes a system program. While executing the system program, the numerical controller executes a sub-program. On the basis of the execution of the sub-program, the numerical controller controls position-controlled shafts of a machine tool controlled by the numerical controller. The sub-program contains instruction sets which are retrieved sequentially one after the other by the numerical controller. The numerical controller only executes the retrieved instruction sets when the instruction sets comply with permitted boundary conditions. Otherwise, the instruction sets are not executed. Before executing the sub-program and while executing the system program, the numerical controller receives information defining the permitted boundary conditions via an interface protected from unauthorized access.

A system program monitors a numerical controller executing a useful program controlling a machine. The numerical controller determines target values for position-controlled axes and controls the position-controlled axes in accordance with the target values. The numerical controller stores resources and determines whether, and optionally to which extent, the resources are enabled or disabled. Enabling or disabling the resources specifies how many processor cores are enabled for use, or how many processor threads are enabled for use, or to what extent a processor cache or a processor main memory are enabled for use, or which hardware components of the numerical controller are enabled for use, or to what extent use of external computing power is permitted. The numerical controller determines the target values for the position-controlled axes using only the enabled resources.

A system program monitors a numerical controller executing a useful program controlling a machine. The numerical controller determines target values for position-controlled axes and controls the position-controlled axes in accordance with the target values. The numerical controller stores resources and determines whether, and optionally to which extent, the resources are enabled or disabled. Enabling or disabling the resources specifies how many processor cores are enabled for use, or how many processor threads are enabled for use, or to what extent a processor cache or a processor main memory are enabled for use, or which hardware components of the numerical controller are enabled for use, or to what extent use of external computing power is permitted. The numerical controller determines the target values for the position-controlled axes using only the enabled resources.

A production system includes a production machine and a control device for generating a control command for the production machine based on production data. The control device includes an analysis apparatus to decide based on a prespecified quality criterion, whether an activated functionality, which is integrated in the control device, or an alternative functionality, which is provided in a database outside the control device or in unactivated form in the control device, is used to translate the production data into the specific control command, so that the control command which is output by the control device is replaced by a control command more suitable to satisfy the prespecified quality criterion. The control device is configured to save a control file for the alternative functionality, to provide the control file for a translation, and to provide the alternative functionality for a prespecified period and/or for a predetermined number of useful cycles.

A numerical controller executes a system program. While executing the system program, the numerical controller executes a sub-program. On the basis of the execution of the sub-program, the numerical controller controls position-controlled shafts of a machine tool controlled by the numerical controller. The sub-program contains instruction sets which are retrieved sequentially one after the other by the numerical controller. The numerical controller only executes the retrieved instruction sets when the instruction sets comply with permitted boundary conditions. Otherwise, the instruction sets are not executed. Before executing the sub-program and while executing the system program, the numerical controller receives information defining the permitted boundary conditions via an interface protected from unauthorized access.