A control device for operating a machine tool having a motor-driven, traversable and positionable tool head. The control device executes a freely programmable control program and determines or co-determines the sequence of operations of the machine tool. The control device also comprises a user interface for influencing the sequence of operations of the machine tool by manual control, at least one operating element for manually controlling changes to movements of the tool head being formed on the user interface. A multi-functionally designed operating element is designed to manually preset or influence a feed rate during a machining phase of the tool head and which multi-functionally designed operating element, in a second usage mode, is designed to manually preset or influence a rapid-traverse rate during a rapid-traverse phase of the tool head. The multi-functionally designed operating element is designed as a rotary actuator operating element comprising a continuously rotatable actuating member.

A control device for operating a machine tool having a motor-driven, traversable and positionable tool head. The control device executes a freely programmable control program and determines or co-determines the sequence of operations of the machine tool. The control device also comprises a user interface for influencing the sequence of operations of the machine tool by manual control, at least one operating element for manually controlling changes to movements of the tool head being formed on the user interface. A multi-functionally designed operating element is designed to manually preset or influence a feed rate during a machining phase of the tool head and which multi-functionally designed operating element, in a second usage mode, is designed to manually preset or influence a rapid-traverse rate during a rapid-traverse phase of the tool head. The multi-functionally designed operating element is designed as a rotary actuator operating element comprising a continuously rotatable actuating member.