To provide a controller for a machine tool capable of shredding chips and capable of performing machining by cutting correctly without implementation of a so-called finishing process. A controller for a machine tool includes: an oscillation command generation unit that generates an oscillation command for causing a work and a tool to oscillate relative to each other in a radial direction of the work based on a condition for oscillation; a movement command generation unit that generates a movement command for causing the work and the tool to move relative to each other for thread cutting of the work; an adder that adds the oscillation command and the movement command; and a determination unit that predetermines whether the oscillation command is to be added to the movement command, is which the adder outputs a superimposed command configured to include one or more types of machining patterns combining an arbitrary number of a total movement command with the oscillation command added, and an arbitrary number of a total movement command without the oscillation command added, in accordance with a result of determination by the determination unit.

To provide a controller for a machine tool capable of shredding chips and capable of performing machining by cutting correctly without implementation of a so-called finishing process. A controller for a machine tool includes: an oscillation command generation unit that generates an oscillation command for causing a work and a tool to oscillate relative to each other in a radial direction of the work based on a condition for oscillation; a movement command generation unit that generates a movement command for causing the work and the tool to move relative to each other for thread cutting of the work; an adder that adds the oscillation command and the movement command; and a determination unit that predetermines whether the oscillation command is to be added to the movement command, is which the adder outputs a superimposed command configured to include one or more types of machining patterns combining an arbitrary number of a total movement command with the oscillation command added, and an arbitrary number of a total movement command without the oscillation command added, in accordance with a result of determination by the determination unit.