Abstract:
In a numerically controlled machine tool in which a fundamental pulse frequency determines speed of cutting tool motion along an axis, and pulses are distributed to axes according to programmed direction of cutting tool movement, successive pulses are counted into successive equal groups, each containing a number of pulses which is a multiple of the number of axes. The number of possible pulse distributions in a group is limited; hence an augmenting pulse frequency can be precomputed for each possible distribution, based on a relationship between total stairstep motion distance signified by pulses of the group and corresponding direct distance. For each group, pulses of the proper augmenting frequency are injected between pulses of the fundamental frequency so that for a given fundamental frequency speed in the same in any direction.