In a CAD data-based automatic operation device of a machining center equipped with a CNC device, the CNC device is provided in a storage unit with a learned model generated by learning beforehand machining conditions including a tool used and cutting conditions, a manufacturing process including a tool trajectory, and a machining program that caused the manufacturing process to be performed in correspondence with one another with respect to each feature subjected to various cutting operations. An automatic machining command generation unit provided in a control unit is provided with: a feature extraction function of extracting features from three-dimensional CAD design data of a machined product; an automatic manufacturing process setting function of automatically determining required machining conditions and automatically setting a manufacturing process including a tool trajectory, by applying each feature to the learned model; an all manufacturing process setting function of determining a procedure for manufacturing processes for all the features; and a machining command generation function of generating a machining command for causing a machine tool to perform all the manufacturing processes based on the learned model. The automatic manufacturing process setting function is further provided with a function of displaying a 3D model of the machined product generated based on the three-dimensional CAD design data in one or more possible different directions of mounting to a machining unit in a selectable and executable manner and the manufacturing processes are automatically set based on the determined mounting direction.

A numerical controller having a function of optimizing a corner path at a corner of tangent continuity includes a path conversion unit for obtaining a curved correction path passing through three points corresponding to a start point and an end point of a third block, and a shift point obtained by shifting an intermediate point of a command path based on the third block in an inward direction of a corner path within a limit of a preset allowable error amount when the corner path is formed by a series of blocks and a tangential direction of the corner path is continuous, and generating a path obtained by replacing the command path of the third block included in the corner path by the correction path, the third block commanding curvilinear movement at a larger curvature than a first curvature and a second curvature being interposed between the first block commanding rectilinear movement or curvilinear movement at the first curvature corresponding to a small curvature and the second block commanding rectilinear movement or curvilinear movement at the second curvature corresponding to a small curvature in the series of blocks.

A method for multistep machining a cutting tool includes defining a data set of the cutting tool, positioning the workpiece in a machining device, determining a data set of the workpiece to be machined, defining at least one machining program based on the defined data set in relation to the determined data set of the workpiece, subjecting the workpiece to the at least one machining program, to obtain intermediate geometries of the workpiece, determining a second data set by measuring means including the intermediate geometries of the workpiece and transferring the machined workpiece to a second machining device. Furthermore, the steps of positioning, determining data set of the workpiece, defining machining program, subjecting the workpiece to the machining program, determining a second data set and transferring to the second machining device are repeated until the workpiece takes on the shape of the target geometries.

A method for generating a numerical control program includes first-fourth steps. In the first step, elements related to the shape of a material are created on the basis of information related to the shape of the material. In the second step, processing is executed in which the elements related to the shape of the material which were created in the first step are read into areas to be subjected to processing in the third step. In the third step, a tool path is generated for each element read in the second step. In the fourth step, the tool paths generated for each element in the third step are connected.

A method for generating a numerical control program includes first-fourth steps. In the first step, elements related to the shape of a material are created on the basis of information related to the shape of the material. In the second step, processing is executed in which the elements related to the shape of the material which were created in the first step are read into areas to be subjected to processing in the third step. In the third step, a tool path is generated for each element read in the second step. In the fourth step, the tool paths generated for each element in the third step are connected.

A method for multistep machining a cutting tool includes defining a data set of the cutting tool, positioning the workpiece in a machining device, determining a data set of the workpiece to be machined, defining at least one machining program based on the defined data set in relation to the determined data set of the workpiece, subjecting the workpiece to the at least one machining program, to obtain intermediate geometries of the workpiece, determining a second data set by measuring means including the intermediate geometries of the workpiece and transferring the machined workpiece to a second machining device. Furthermore, the steps of positioning, determining data set of the workpiece, defining machining program, subjecting the workpiece to the machining program, determining a second data set and transferring to the second machining device are repeated until the workpiece takes on the shape of the target geometries.

A numerical controller includes a path conversion unit for obtaining a curved correction path passing through three points corresponding to a start point and an end point of a third block, and a shift point obtained by shifting an intermediate point of a command path based on the third block in an inward direction of a corner path within a limit of a preset allowable error amount when the corner path is formed by a series of blocks and a tangential direction of the corner path is continuous, and generating a path obtained by replacing the command path of the third block included in the corner path by the correction path, the third block commanding curvilinear movement at a larger curvature than a first curvature and a second curvature being interposed between the first block.

A method and control apparatus for generating control data for controlling a tool on a machine tool for machining a clamped-in workpiece, the machine tool having a control apparatus and a tool for controlling the tool, comprising: generating a path program using a setpoint geometry of generated setpoint parameters, the path program describing a path having supporting points and line elements; controlling the machine tool according to the generated path program; detecting actual parameters by a feedback loop; iteratively optimizing the path program using the detected actual parameters for generating a new path program with a new path, the new path program being dynamically supplied in real time and the new path program dynamically changing and/or dynamically replacing the previous path program; providing CAM functionality for changing an order of the supporting points; and embodying both the path program and the new path program as a CNC program.