An apparatus and associated method for operating a machine tool having a selectively movable turret and a tool mounted to the turret. A cover is configured to be removably secured to the turret and sized so that the cover encloses the tool when the cover is secured to the turret. Turret control logic includes computer instructions stored in a computer memory and executable by a computer processor to limit movement of the turret when the cover is secured to the turret.

After a free-form surface is machined on an elongated material 1 with a projection 3 and a blade root 4 held, the holding of the projection 3 is released to release strain generated during machining. Upon release of the holding, the entire elongated material 1 deforms, and the projection 3 moves from a holding position A to a strain-released position B. A re-holding position C obtained by correcting the position B by the deformation amount of the elongated material 1 due to the weight of the elongated material 1 is determined, and the projection 3 is held again at the re-holding position C for further machining the free-form surface on the elongated material 1.

Machine tool with a workpiece receptacle for receiving a workpiece to be machined and with a tool receptacle for receiving a tool that is needed for machining a workpiece. A hardness measuring device is integrated in the machine tool, and a hardness measurement can be carried out in an automated manner at the workpiece by the hardness measuring device.

After a free-form surface is machined on an elongated material 1 with a projection 3 and a blade root 4 held, the holding of the projection 3 is released to release strain generated during machining. Upon release of the holding, the entire elongated material 1 deforms, and the projection 3 moves from a holding position A to a strain-released position B. A re-holding position C obtained by correcting the position B by the deformation amount of the elongated material 1 due to the weight of the elongated material 1 is determined, and the projection 3 is held again at the re-holding position C for further machining the free-form surface on the elongated material 1.