Star Micronics Company Limited

Takeshi Ikegaya

Shotaro Kamo

Koichiro Shigama

A controller of a machine tool determines in accordance with a machining program whether a first tool post is used to machine an unfinished workpiece. When the unfinished workpiece needs machining before terminating a continuous machining and when the controller determines that the first tool post is used to machine the unfinished workpiece W, the controller simultaneously advances a first system and a second system in accordance with the machining program while preventing machining a workpiece held by the first spindle. When the controller determines that the first tool post is not used to machine the unfinished workpiece, the controller stops the first system and advances the second system in accordance with the machining program.

Machine tool

A machine tool includes a tool post having a tool unit for machining a workpiece, operation control means for controlling the operation of the tool unit in accordance with a plurality of commands described in a numerical control program and movement limiting means for inhibiting entry of the tool unit into a no-entry region. The plurality of commands include a limit value setting command for calculating a limit value of a position of the tool unit avoiding interference with a machine element located within a movable region of the tool unit and for determining the no-entry region by the calculated limit value. Upon reading the limit value setting command out of the numerical control program, the operation control means calculates the limit value and determines the no-entry region by the calculated limit value.

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Shizuoka, Japan

Takeshi Ikegaya