Abstract:
The rotational direction of a main shaft is stored in a tool data file memory (101b) for each tool. Data necessary for preparing an NC program are stored in an RAM (105) interactively using an operation board (108) or a graphic display device (102). Thereafter, a processor (103) prepares the NC program using the data stored in the RAM. When a tool to be used for a predetermined machining step is determined in preparing the NC program, a tool select instruction for selecting the tool and the rotational direction of the main shaft that fits to the selected tool are found from the tool data file memory (101b), and a main shaft rotation instruction is produced to turn the main shaft in said direction.
Abstract:
A method of inputting a cutting direction for automatic programming determining the cutting direction of a path comprises the steps of displaying the locus of a path constituted by a plurality of path blocks (b1 to b15) on a display screen (105) using path data, indicating with a cursor (CSR) an appropriate start point (P2) and an end point (P15) of the path, inputting a cutting direction by the operation of a cutting direction input switch when the path start point (P2) is indicated by the cursor (CSR) when cutting is to be effected from a start point (P1) to an end point (P16) of the passage, and inputting the cutting direction by the operation of the cutting direction input switch when the path end point (P15) is indicated by the cursor (CSR) when cutting is to be effected from the path end point (P16) to the start point (P1).
Abstract:
A tool-selecting method for automatic programming comprises the steps of: preparing a tooling file by storing in a memory (201) data on a plurality of tools which are simultaneously mounted on a turret, such as the name of a machining step in which each of these tools is employed, tool configuration data, and data on how each tool is mounted on the turret, and also storing in the memory (201) a plurality of tooling files (#1, #2,...#3) which have different combinations of tools; specifying which tooling file to use, together with data for specifying a final part configuration and a machining step; and selecting a tool for the specified machining step from the specified tooling file.
Abstract:
An area machining method for machining an area defined by an outline curve. To machine the inside of an area defined by an outline curve (OLC) consisting of a multiplicity of straight lines (S1, S2, ... S6) and a circular arc (A1), the method includes: a step of approximating a circular arc portion (A1') of an offset curve (OFC) which is a predetermined amount offset from the outline curve by straight lines; a step of dividing the area defined by the offset curve which is approximated by the straight lines into a plurality of convex polygons (PG1 to PG3); a step of calculating the centroid (Wi) of each of the convex polygons and respective middle points (M1, M2) of boundary lines (B1, B2) between two convex polygons adjacent to each other, and generating a base line (BL) formed by successively connecting together the centroids and the middle points; a step of dividing into a predetermined number of sections each of the straight lines (L1 to L14) which respectively connect the centroids (Wi) of the convex polygons and the apexes (P1 to P10) of the convex polygons and each of the straight lines (BL1 to BL4) which respectively connect the middle points (M1, M2) and corresponding endpoints (P1, P4; P4, P7) of the boundary lines halved by the respective middle points; a step of moving a tool along a plurality of closed paths (CPT1, CPT2 ... ) obtained by connecting together partition points (Pa1, Pa2 ... Pa18; Pb1, Pb2 ... Pb18) corresponding to the straight lines (L1 to L14, BL1 to BL4) such that the closed paths surround the base line (BL), and moving the tool along the base line (BL); and moving the tool along the offset curve (OFC).