To optimize an automatically optimized machining time for machining a workpiece in a machine tool, an original parts program is loaded into a machine tool controller. The machining of the workpiece using the original parts program is simulated, where a motion path generated by the original parts program in the machine tool is determined. The motion path is classified into at least one area of potential optimization in which there is no workpiece contact. The at least one area of potential optimization is assigned a tolerance space. An optimized motion path is determined within the tolerance space. The machining of the workpiece using the modified parts program is simulated. The optimized motion path is displayed and marked. Once a user has approved the modification in the parts program, machining of the workpiece takes place using the modified parts program.

A numerical control device includes—a screen processing unit that divides a waveform of a commanded oscillatory movement quantity specified by a vibration cutting command and a waveform of an actual position detected by detectors, into sections each corresponding to a unit time, and this screen processing unit displays, on a display unit, an n-th commanded oscillation waveform, which is an n-th waveform of the commanded oscillatory movement quantity; an (n+1)-th commanded oscillation waveform, which is an (n+1)-th waveform of the commanded oscillatory movement quantity; an n-th actual position waveform, which is an n-th waveform of the actual position; and an (n+1)-th actual position waveform, which is an (n+1)-th waveform of the actual position, being superimposed on one another along a time axis, where n is a natural number.

-- A computer program product, a control unit, a machine tool and method for operating a machine tool includes providing a control command set for a tool, providing an actual contour of the workpiece, determining a first material entrance point of the tool into the workpiece and generating a first positioning command for an approach to the first material entrance point, wherein the first positioning command specifies a track path which differs from a track path specified by the control command set, where as an alternative, or additionally, a rapid movement of the tool and or clamping of the workpiece is specified by the first positioning command. --

A numerical control system includes an image processing device that performs image processing on images captured by an imaging device and a numerical controller. The numerical controller includes a program analysis unit and a storage unit that stores operation control information of the machine, the imaging device, and the image processing device in a format that can be read and written by the program analysis unit. The numerical control system includes a conversion unit that converts commands or the operation control information stored in the storage unit to image processing input items which are setting values of a format that can be recognized by the imaging device and the image processing device and converts image processing output items which are the results of the image processing from the image processing device to operation control information of a format that can be recognized by the program analysis unit.

To optimize an automatically optimized machining time for machining a workpiece in a machine tool, an original parts program is loaded into a machine tool controller. The machining of the workpiece using the original parts program is simulated, where a motion path generated by the original parts program in the machine tool is determined. The motion path is classified into at least one area of potential optimization in which there is no workpiece contact. The at least one area of potential optimization is assigned a tolerance space. An optimized motion path is determined within the tolerance space. The machining of the workpiece using the modified parts program is simulated. The optimized motion path is displayed and marked. Once a user has approved the modification in the parts program, machining of the workpiece takes place using the modified parts program.

A numerical control system includes an image processing device that performs image processing on images captured by an imaging device and a numerical controller. The numerical controller includes a program analysis unit and a storage unit that stores operation control information of the machine, the imaging device, and the image processing device in a format that can be read and written by the program analysis unit. The numerical control system includes a conversion unit that converts commands or the operation control information stored in the storage unit to image processing input items which are setting values of a format that can be recognized by the imaging device and the image processing device and converts image processing output items which are the results of the image processing from the image processing device to operation control information of a format that can be recognized by the program analysis unit.

A numerical control device includesa screen processing unit that divides a waveform of a commanded oscillatory movement quantity specified by a vibration cutting command and a waveform of an actual position detected by detectors, into sections each corresponding to a unit time, and this screen processing unit displays, on a display unit, an n-th commanded oscillation waveform, which is an n-th waveform of the commanded oscillatory movement quantity; an (n+1)-th commanded oscillation waveform, which is an (n+1)-th waveform of the commanded oscillatory movement quantity; an n-th actual position waveform, which is an n-th waveform of the actual position; and an (n+1)-th actual position waveform, which is an (n+1)-th waveform of the actual position, being superimposed on one another along a time axis, where n is a natural number.

A tool path-generating device for generating a tool path for moving a tool and a workpiece relative to each other and processing said workpiece is equipped with: an opposite path-extracting section for extracting two tool paths, the movement directions of which are roughly opposite to each other; a reversal position-calculating section for calculating a reversal position at which the tool feed direction is reversed at a position, between the endpoint of one of the two tool paths and the starting point of the other of the two tool paths, that is separated from the workpiece; and a reversal path-generating section for calculating a connecting path that passes through the endpoint of one of the two tool paths, the reversal position, and the starting point of the other of the two tool paths.

A tool path-generating device for generating a tool path for moving a tool and a workpiece relative to each other and processing said workpiece is equipped with: an opposite path-extracting section for extracting two tool paths, the movement directions of which are roughly opposite to each other; a reversal position-calculating section for calculating a reversal position at which the tool feed direction is reversed at a position, between the endpoint of one of the two tool paths and the starting point of the other of the two tool paths, that is separated from the workpiece; and a reversal path-generating section for calculating a connecting path that passes through the endpoint of one of the two tool paths, the reversal position, and the starting point of the other of the two tool paths.

A method controls a machine with redundant actuators according to pattern of disconnected contours, wherein the machine includes redundant actuators by first generating a set of initial trajectories from the pattern. Each initial trajectory corresponds to one of the disconnected contours, or a path from an exit point of one contour and an entry point of a next contour. A set of costs for the set of initial trajectories is determined. A sequence of final trajectories is determined based on the set of costs. Then, a set of commands is generated for controlling the machine according to the sequence of final trajectories.