Machining data forming system for numerical control device

A machining data forming system for a numerical control device in which machining data are inputted through interaction with a display unit. Since the present system is provided with a machining menu for a variety of machining position patterns, it is unnecessary to obtain the center or position coordinates of the machining position patterns. As a result, the number of interactive data inputting steps can be reduced to thereby improve the program inputting efficiency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a machining data forming system, with 
respect to an automatic program, for a numerical control device adapted to 
control machine tools, robots, laser machining apparatuses, welding 
machines, adhesive coating machines. A conventional method of inputting 
and processing data, with respect to an automatic program, for a numerical 
control device is as follows: 
FIG. 9 is a flow chart outlining the conventional method for forming 
machining data, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a data 
setting and displaying device with which the operator inputs data by 
operating an AUTO PRO switch, DISPLAY switch, AMETER switch, NC AID 
switch, etc. through interaction, and observes the data displayed thereon. 
As shown in FIG. 10, a CRT display section such as a 14-inch color CRT has 
a various-data display region 11, an echo data display region 12, and a 
question and alarm message display region 13. In the following 
description, the quotation marks (") are placed before and after the names 
of key switches, for clarification. 
An operating section 2 includes a group of echo switches 201 through 208, a 
"DISPLAY" switch 210, a "AMETER" switch 211, an "NC AID" switch 212, an 
"AUTOMATIC PROGRAM" switch 213, and "UP-DOWN CHANGE-OVER" switch 214. 
A data input section 3 includes a group of various data keys 301 such as 
alphabetical and numerical keys, a group of input operation keys 302 
(including ".uparw.", ".rarw.", ".dwnarw." and ".fwdarw." cursor keys 
3022, a "NEXT PICTURE" key 3021, an "AUTOMATIC PRO GRAPHIC" key 305, an 
"INPUT" key 304, etc.), and operation preparation and NC alarm display 
LEDs 310. 
The CRT display section 1 can display more than seventy pictures such as a 
machining definition start picture (FIG. 11), machining type selection 
picture (FIG. 12), drilling configuration selection picture (FIG. 13), 
drill hole machining configuration definition picture (FIG. 14), drilling 
pattern selection picture (FIG. 15), drilling (arc) pattern definition 
picture (FIG. 16), drilling (bolt hole, circle) pattern definition picture 
(FIG. 17), machining step list picture (FIG. 18), and NC data output 
picture (FIG. 19), which are utilized for a description of the invention 
as follows: 
A conventional inputting and processing method with an automatic program 
will be described with reference to the inputting procedure in a drilling 
operation which is shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). 
FIG.7(a) is a plan view showing the position of holes to be drilled in a 
workpiece, and FIG. 7(b) is a sectional view taken along a line A--A in 
FIG. 7(a), showing dimensions in a direction of height. 
An inputting operation is carried out according to the flow chart of FIG. 
9. 
For simplification in description, with the assumption that Steps 1 
(automatic program start ) through 6 (graphic display) which are not 
directly concerned with the invention have been accomplished, the 
description will be made beginning with Step 7. 
When the "NET PICTURE" key 3021 (FIG. 10) is depressed at the end of Step 
6, the present picture is switched over to the machining definition start 
picture (FIG. 11). When the echo switch 201 (FIG. 10) corresponding to "1. 
MACHINING DEFINITION START" in the echo data display section 12 (FIG. 10) 
is depressed, the picture is switched over to the machining type selection 
picture (FIG. 12). FIG. 7 is for a drilling operation, and therefore, when 
the echo switch 201 (FIG. 10) corresponding to "1. drilling" 1211 (FIG. 
12) is depressed, the picture is switched over to the drilling 
configuration selection picture (FIG. 13); and when the echo switch 201 
(FIG. 10) corresponding to "1. DRILL HOLE" 1221 (FIG. 13) is depressed, 
the picture is switched over to the drilling configuration definition 
picture (FIG. 14). 
According to data displayed on the question section 13 (FIGS. 10 and 14), 
the data keys 301 (FIG. 10) and the "INPUT" key 304 (FIG. 10) are 
operated. As a result, questions are successively displayed. In response 
to the questions thus displayed, the corresponding data are inputted with 
the keys. Thus, the setting of the necessary data has been accomplished. 
That is, the machining configuration definition (Step 7 in FIG. 9) has been 
accomplished. When, under this condition, the "NEXT PICTURE" key 3021 
(FIG. 10) is depressed, the picture is switched over to the drilling 
pattern selection picture (FIG. 15) corresponding to the machining 
position pattern definition in Step 8. The drilling position shown in FIG. 
7 corresponds to "1. ARC" pattern in the displayed picture 11 (FIG. 15). 
Therefore, the echo switch 201 (FIG. 10) corresponding to "1. ARC" pattern 
1231 in the displayed picture 11 (FIG. 15) is depressed, as a result of 
which the picture is switched over to the drilling (arc) pattern 
definition picture (FIG. 16). According to the picture shown in FIG. 16, 
the inputting of data is started. 
As for "1. CENTRAL POSITION X=( ), Y=( )" of the group of questions in the 
data display section 11, since central position (a, b) is not specified in 
the picture (FIG. 7), the operator calculates it manually or with a desk 
top electronic calculator taking about ten minutes in maximum. 
One example of the central position calculating operation will be described 
with reference to FIGS. 20(a) to (c). First, the operation in the case 
where, as shown in FIG. 20(b), a machining start point (Xs, Ys), a 
machining end point (Xe, Ye), and a radius Rn have been inputted will be 
described according to a flow chart shown FIG. 20(a). 
Presence or absence of X and Y data (Step 2000): When available, the 
following operations are carried out: 
EQU Xe-Xs=XL 
EQU Ye-Ys=YL 
Is .vertline.XL.vertline. zero or 2.multidot.Rn? (Step 2002): 
If NO, it is determined whether or not 0&lt;.vertline.XL.vertline.&lt;2Rn is held 
(Step 2003). If YES, the central position (a, b) is obtained by inserting 
the machining start point (Xs, Ys), the machining end point (Xe, Ye) and 
the radius Rn in the following equations (Step 2004): 
EQU (Xs-a).sup.2 +(Ys-b).sup.2 =Rn.sup.2 
EQU (Xe-a).sup.2 +(Te-b).sup.2 =Rn.sup.2 
After .vertline.XL.vertline. has been determined zero (0) in the 
above-described Step 2002, determination is given to 
.vertline.YL.vertline. (Step 2006). When it is determined that 
0&lt;.vertline.YL.vertline.&lt;2Rn is established, then Step 2004 is effected; 
that is, the above-described calculations are carried out to obtain the 
central position (a, b). When, in Step 2006, it is determined that 
.vertline.YL.vertline.=2Rn, then it is determined whether YL is larger or 
smaller than zero (0) (Step 2008). When YL&gt;0, the central position (a, b) 
is obtained according to the following equations (Step 2009): 
EQU a=Xe 
EQU b=Ye-Rn 
When YL&lt;0, the following equations are used to obtain the central position 
(Step 2010): 
EQU a=Xs 
EQU b=Ys-Rn 
When it is determined that, in Step 2002, .vertline.XL.vertline.=2Rn, then 
it is determined whether XL is larger or smaller than zero (0). (Step 
2011). When XL&gt;0, the central position (a, b) is obtained according to the 
following equations (Step 2012): 
EQU a=Xe-Rn 
EQU b=Ye 
When XL&lt;0, the following equations are used to obtain the central position 
(a, b) (Step 2013): 
EQU a=Xs-Rn 
EQU b=Ys 
when, during the above-described arithmetic operation, it is determined 
that .vertline.XL.vertline.&gt;2Rn in Step 2003, and it is determined that 
.vertline.YL.vertline.&gt;2Rn in Step 2006, errors are resulted because those 
conditions are not established (Steps 2005 and 2007). 
FIG. 20(c) shows the case where the start point coordinates and the end 
point coordinates are determined by using distances Rs and Re from the 
original point and angles .theta.s and .theta.e. If, in the determination 
of whether or not X and Y data are available (Step 2000), the result is 
"NO", then it is determined whether or not R and .theta. data are 
available (Step 2014), and X and Y data are calculated according to the 
following equations by using the R and .theta. data (Step 2015): 
EQU Xs=Rs cos .theta.s 
EQU Ys=Rs sin .theta.s 
EQU Xe=Re cos .theta.e 
EQU Ye=Re sin .theta.e 
Thereafter, Step 2001 is effected, and the operation is carried out 
similarly as in the case of X and Y data. 
If, in Step 2014, it is determined that no R and .theta. data are 
available, then an error is resulted because only X and Y data and R and 
.theta. data are handled in this case (2016). 
The central position coordinates (a, b) obtained through an arithmetic 
operation shown in FIG. 20(a) are inputted with the data keys 301 (FIG. 
10), and set with the "INPUT" key 304 (FIG. 10). 
Thereafter, in the data display region 11, the questions are provided 
successively in the order listed therein. For each of the questions thus 
provided, similarly as in the above-described case, data are inputted by 
using the data keys 301 (FIG. 10) and set with the "INPUT" key 304 (FIG. 
10). 
After a data inputting and setting operation for the last question "9. 
QUESTION FOR RETURN POSITION", the "AUTOMATIC PRO GRAPHIC" key 305 (FIG. 
10) is depressed, and then a machining pattern graph is displayed. 
Thereafter, the figure in the picture displayed is compared with FIG. 7 for 
any error. After it has been confirmed that no error is involved, the 
"NEXT PICTURE" key 3021 (FIG. 10) is depressed, so that the drilling 
pattern selection picture (FIG. 15) is displayed again (Step 91 in FIG. 
9). 
Since the data have been inputted and set, the echo switch 208 (FIG. 10) 
corresponding to "8. DEFINITION END" is depressed, as a result of which 
the machining definition start picture (FIG. 11) is displayed again (Step 
81 in FIG. 9) while the machining definition list 110 is displayed on the 
data display section 11. The list is compared with the drawing (FIG. 7) 
for any error. After it is confirmed that there is no error, the echo key 
208 (FIG. 10) corresponding to "8. MACHINING DEFINITION END" 1208 is 
depressed. As a result, Step 10 (FIG. 9) is effected through Step 71 (FIG. 
9), and the picture is then switched over to the machining step list 
picture (FIG. 18). 
When the "NEXT PICTURE" KEY 3021 (FIG. 10) is depressed while the last 
machining data in the list is being displayed on the question region 13 by 
operating the cursor keys 3022 (FIG. 10), Step 11 (FIG. 9) is effected, so 
that the picture is switched over to an NC data forming picture (FIG. 19}. 
A necessary program name, program number, and "YES" for "NC data 
formation?" are inputted. As a result, NC data are automatically formed, 
and "NC DATA HAVE BEEN FORMED" is displayed on the question region 13 
(FIG. 10). Thus, the operation has been accomplished. When the "NEXT 
PICTURE" key 3021 is depressed for instance for the next work, then the 
operation is returned to the first Step 0 through Step 12. 
In the case where holes are drilled at intervals of irregular pitch or 
irregular angle, heretofore the data are inputted and set as follows: 
According to the drilling (arc) pattern definition picture (FIG. 16), the 
first and second machining points are assigned to the first group (FIG. 
8(b)), the third and fourth machining points to the second group (FIG. 
8(c)), and the fifth and sixth machining points to the third group (FIG. 
8(d)). 
In the data inputting and setting method, the data for the first group of 
machining points are inputted and set, according to the above-described 
method (FIG. 9), through the machining configuration definition (Step 7), 
the machining position pattern definition (Step 8) and the graphic display 
(Step 9). Thereafter, the operation returning to Step 88 through Step 91, 
the data inputting and setting operation for the second group of machining 
points (FIG. 8(c)) is started. The machining position pattern definition 
(Step 8) and the graphic display (Step 9) are carried out. Then, the 
operation is returned to Step 8 through Step 91, so that the data 
inputting and setting operation for the third group of machining points 
(the part (d) of FIG. 8) is started. The machining position pattern 
definition (Step 8), the graphic display (Step 9) and Step 9 are carried 
out again. When the data inputting and setting operations for all the 
groups of machining points have been accomplished in this manner, the 
Steps 81 and 71 are effected, and, similarly as in the above-described 
case, Steps 10, 11 and 12 are effected. Then, the operation has been 
ended. 
In the above-described case, Steps 8, 9 and 91 are repeated three times for 
inputting and setting the data. That is, if, in drilling holes equal in 
diameter and in depth, the machining position pattern is not included in 
the menu, then it is necessary to divide the data for them in inputting 
them. Accordingly, it is necessary to repeat Steps 8, 9 and 91 the same 
times as the number of division. 
The conventional numerical control device input format is arranged as 
described above. Therefore, in the case where for instance the central 
position is not indicated in the drawing, the operator inputs it by 
calculating unknown data according to the mounting positions and 
dimensions indicated in the drawing; or in the case where holes to be 
drilled are positioned at intervals of irregular pitch or irregular angle, 
the holes are assigned into a plurality of groups to input the data. Thus, 
the data inputting and setting operation is troublesome. 
Accordingly, the program inputting operation is low in efficiency. In 
addition, for instance when data inputted is being processed although the 
machining operation has not been finished, the operation of the machining 
is suspended until the arithmetic operation ends. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to eliminate the 
above-described difficulties accompanying a conventional data inputting 
and setting method of numerical control device. More specifically, an 
object of the invention is to provide a machining data forming system for 
a numerical control device in which, in inputting the data of machining 
points arranged on an arc or circumference, it is unnecessary to perform 
manual calculation or to divide the machining points into a plurality of 
groups, and the data can be inputted with a simplified format. 
In a machining data forming system for a numerical control device in which 
machining data are inputted through interaction with a display unit, 
according to the invention, a picture means including questions for 
inputting the coordinates of start and end points is provided, and the 
coordinates of the center thereof are determined according to the 
coordinates of the start and end points thus inputted. 
Furthermore, in the system of the invention, in order to input machining 
points on an arc or circle, a picture means including questions for 
inputting a random pitch angle is provided,.so that the coordinates of the 
machining points are determined according to the pitch angle thus 
inputted, and a hole cutting pattern picture includes a "bolt hole 
arc/circle" pattern. 
In addition, in the system of the invention, in order to specify a sequence 
of machining, a picture means including questions for inputting a 
positioning direction is provided, so that the sequence of machining is 
determined according to the positioned direction thus inputted; or in 
order to specify machining points, a picture means including questions for 
inputting the presence or absence of start point machining is provided, so 
that the machining points are determined according to the presence or 
absence of start point machining thus inputted. 
In the system of the invention, the center position is automatically 
obtained with the aid of the coordinates of the start and end points even 
when the coordinates of the center is not given; and even if a random 
pitch angle, is given, the coordinates are automatically determined 
according to the angle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 is a flow chart outlining a method of inputting and processing data 
in an embodiment of the present invention. As is apparent from comparison 
of FIG. 1 with FIG. 9 the data inputting method is improved by adding Step 
83 to the flow chart of FIG. 9 (the conventional method). 
FIG. 2 shows a drilling pattern selection picture, which is obtained by 
adding a "7. BOLT HOLE ARC/CIRCLE" pattern to FIG. 15 (the conventional 
method). With the drilling pattern selection picture, the echo data 
display section 12 (FIG. 10) is allowed to additionally display "7. BOLT 
HOLE ARC/CIRCLE" 1237, and the echo switch 207 corresponding thereto is 
operated. 
FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) show a drilling (bolt hole arc/circle) pattern 
definition picture (A), which is obtained by adding to FIG. 16 (the 
conventional method) "2. POSITIONING DIRECTION CW/ CCW", "3. START POINT 
COORDINATE", "4. END POINT COORDINATES", "5. EQUAL DIVISION MACHINING 
POINT NUMBER/ EQUAL DIVISION ANGLE", "5a. PITCH ANGEL", "6. PRESENCE OR 
ABSENCE OF START POINT MACHINING", and "8. CENTRAL POINT COORDINATES 
DIRECTION". 
FIG. 4 shows a machining pattern definition picture (B), which is obtained 
by adding "2. POSITIONING DIRECTION", and "5. PITCH ANGLE" to FIG. 17 (the 
conventional method). 
FIG. 4 is provided as a sub picture for FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b). When the 
inputting of the third question "3 START POINT COORDINATES" in FIGS. 3(a) 
and 3(b) is skipped, then the picture of the part FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) is 
switched over to that of FIG. 4, and the data of questions 1 and 2 
inputted according to FIG. 3 remain, but those of the remaining questions 
are switched. 
If the inputting of the fifth question "5. EQUAL DIVISION MACHINING POINT 
NUMBER/EQUAL DIVISION ANGLE" in FIG. 3(a) is skipped, then it is switched 
over to "5a. PITCH ANGLE", so that a pitch angle can be inputted freely. 
FIG. 5(A) is a table showing examples of an input format with general data 
names, and FIG. 5(B) is a schematic diagram showing the examples of the 
input format of FIG. 5(A) in a plane. 
FIGS. 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) are flow charts showing a procedure of operating 
data in Step 11 in FIG. 1. 
The embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to a data 
inputting procedure for a drilling operation as shown in FIG. 7. 
FIG. 1 is a flow chart outlining a data inputting and processing method in 
the embodiment. For simplification in description, it is assumed that 
Steps 1 (automatic programming start) through 6 (graphic display) have 
been achieved according to the processing procedure. 
Step 7 is same as that in the above-described conventional inputting 
method. In Step 8, a machining position pattern definition is effected. 
When the "NEXT PICTURE" key 3021 (FIG. 10) is depressed, the picture is 
switched over to the drilling pattern selection picture shown in FIG. 2. 
The drilling operation of FIG. 7 corresponds to "7. BOLT HOLE ARC/CIRCLE" 
in FIG. 2. Therefore, the echo key 207 (FIG. 10) corresponding to "7. BOLT 
HOLD ARC/CIRCLE" in the echo data display region 12 is depressed. As a 
result, the picture is switched over to the drilling pattern definition 
picture (A) shown in FIG. 3(a). According to the picture, the inputting of 
the drilling data of FIG. 7 is started. 
In the case of FIG. 7, there is no coordinate data for "(1) CENTRAL 
POSITION", and therefore the inputting of data begins with "(2) 
POSITIONING DIRECTION". The data inputting procedure is same as that in 
the above-described conventional method. 
(2) POSITIONING DIRECTION -- Input "CCW". 
(3) START POINT COORDINATES -- Input Xs and Yx. 
(4) END POINT COORDINATES -- Input Xe and Ye. 
(5) EQUAL DIVISION MACHINING POINT NUMBER/EQUAL DIVISION ANGLE--Since only 
the number of holes is indicated, N;4 is inputted (in the case where an 
equal division angle of 30.degree. is indicated, A;30.degree. is 
inputted). 
(6) PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF START POINT MACHINING--Because of presence, 
Input "1". 
(7) RADIUS -- Input "Rn". 
(8) CENTER COORDINATES DIRECTION -- Input ".dwnarw.". 
(9) SURFACE HEIGHT -- Input "Zn". 
(10)R POINT HEIGHT -- Input "RZn". 
(11)INITIAL HEIGHT -- Input "IZn". 
(12)RETURN HEIGHT -- Input "2=R point height". 
Thus, the machining position pattern definition (Step 8) has been 
accomplished. 
Upon depression of the "AUTOMATIC PRO GRAPHIC" key 305 (FIG. 10), the 
machining pattern is displayed. The operator visually check the pattern 
thus displayed against the drawing (FIG. 7}for any error. After confirming 
that all the data have been inputted correctly, the operator depresses the 
"NEXT PICTURE" key 3021 (FIG. 10). As a result, the drilling pattern 
selection picture shown in FIG. 2 is displayed again. 
When, under this condition, the echo switch 208 (FIG. 10) corresponding to 
"8. DEFINITION ENDS" is depressed, the machining definition start picture 
shown in FIG. 11 is displayed again, while the machining definition list 
110 is displayed in the data display region 11. Thus, the drilling data 
inputting operation of FIG. 7 has been accomplished. Therefore, the echo 
key 208 (FIG. 10) corresponding to "8. MACHINING DEFINITION ENDS" 1208 is 
depressed (Step 71 in FIG. 1). As a result, Step 10 in FIG. 1 is effected, 
so that the picture is switched over to the machining step list picture 
(FIG. 18). When the "NEXT PICTURE" key 3021 (FIG. 10) is depressed with 
the last machining step data displayed in question data region 13 with the 
cursor keys 3022 (FIG. 10), Step 11 (FIG. 1) is effected, so that 
formation of NC data is started, and the picture is switched over to the 
NC data output picture (FIG. 19). 
With the picture, the program name, and program label number which has been 
initially set in the inputting of drilling data with respect to FIG. 7, 
and NC data formation OK are inputted. Thus, the formation of NC data is 
started. 
In the formation of NC data, it is necessary to process data in a different 
manner from that in the conventional method, because the embodiment 
requires data input different from that in the conventional method. 
Therefore, the operation of coordinates is carried out (FIG. 6) before the 
data are processed according to the conventional method (the processing 
not described because not directly related to the invention). 
The data inputted with reference to FIG. 7 are processed according to the 
flow chart shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) as follows: In the following 
description, the numerical data parenthesized indicate step numbers and 
route numbers in the flow chart. 
Start (100)--Center position input (101): not available (10102)--Start 
point and end point data (1011): Available (10103)--X, Y data (1012): Yes 
(10107) --Positioning direction (1016): Available (10111)--Equal-division 
machining point number/equal-division angle (105): Available 
(10501)--Start point machining (106): Available (10601)--Data processing 
with start point machining being available (107)--Radius (108): Available 
(10801)--Center position direction 109: Available (10901)--Center position 
operation subroutine (110)--Machining point coordinates operation 
subroutine (111)-- Processing flow in the conventional method. In this 
manner, the operation is carried out. 
Thus, the center position and machining point coordinates can be operated 
with the software in the numerical control device. Accordingly, the manual 
operation of the center position in the conventional method can be 
eliminated. An example of a center position operation procedure, being 
provided as software, is combined in the center position operation 
subroutine (110). 
Another embodiment of the invention, a method of inputting and processing 
data for machining holes as shown in FIG. 8(a), will be described. The 
processing flow is roughly similar to that shown in FIG. 1. Similarly as 
in the above-described case, with the assumption that the data processing 
operation has been achieved up to Step 7 in the same manner as in the 
conventional method, the operation will be described beginning with the 
machining position pattern definition of Step 8. 
Upon depression of the "NEXT PICTURE" 3021 (FIG. 10), the picture is 
switched over to the drilling pattern selection picture shown in FIG. 2. 
The drilling operation of FIG. 8(a) corresponds to "7. BOLT HOLE 
ARC/CIRCLE" in FIG. 2. Therefore, the echo key 207 (FIG. 10) corresponding 
to "7. BOLT HOLE ARC/CIRCLE" 1237 in the echo data display region 12, as a 
result of which the picture is switched over to the hole cutting pattern 
definition picture (A) shown in FIG. 3(a). With reference to the picture, 
the hole cutting data indicated in FIG. 8(a) are inputted. The procedure 
of inputting the data is the same as that in the above-described 
conventional method. 
(1) CENTRAL POSITION--Input Xa and Yb. 
(2) POSITIONING DIRECTION--Input CCW. 
[(3)START POINT COORDINATES--Not available, and therefore skipped, with the 
result that the picture is switched over to the drilling pattern 
definition picture (B) shown in FIG. 4.] 
(3) RADIUS--Input Rn. 
(4) START ANGLE--Input S. 
(5) PITCH ANGLE--Input Random V. The loop of Steps 83 and 8 in FIG. 1 is 
effected, and P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6 are inputted. 
(6) NUMBER--Input "6" (or the inputting may be skipped) 
(7) SURFACE HEIGHT--Input Zn. 
(8) R POINT HEIGHT--Input ZRn. 
(9) INITIAL HEIGHT--Input ZIn. 
(10) RETURN HEIGHT--2=R point height is inputted. 
Thus, the machining position pattern definition of Step 8 has been 
accomplished. 
The "AUTOMATIC PRO GRAPHIC" 305 (FIG. 10) is depressed to display the 
machining pattern. The operator checks the pattern against the drawing of 
the part (a) of FIG. 8 for any error in the data inputting operation. 
After confirming that all the data have been correctly inputted, the 
operator depresses the "NEXT PICTURE" key 3021 (FIG. 10). As a result, the 
drilling pattern selection picture is displayed again. The procedure up to 
Step 10 is the same as that in the above-described embodiment. 
With the NC data output picture (FIG. 19), the program name and program 
label number which have been initially set (Step 2 in FIG. 1) for 
inputting the drilling data of FIG. 8(a), and the NC data formation OK are 
inputted. Thus, the formation of NC data is started. 
The formation of NC data requires data operation different from that in the 
conventional method. Therefore, before the processing flow in the 
conventional method (the description of which is omitted, being not 
directly related to the invention) the operation of coordinates is carried 
out (FIG. 6). 
The data inputted with reference to FIG. 8(a) are processed according to 
the flow chart of FIG. 6 as follows: 
Start (100)--Center position input (101): Available (10101)--Positioning 
direction (102): Available (10201)--Start point coordinate (103): Not 
Available (10202)--Radius (1031): available (10303)--Start angle (1032): 
available (10304)--Pitch angle C? (1033): No (10310)--Pitch angle V? 
(1038): Yes (10311) --P1 through Pn (1039): available (10312)--Machining 
point operation subroutine (1040)--Steps (10313, and 11101). The 
coordinates are calculated in this manner. 
Thus, the data inputting operation, which is heretofore repeated three 
times in a data division mode, can be accomplished at one time. 
In addition to the above-described example (corresponding to the part (a) 
of FIG. 5(A)) of the table type data inputting method in which the 
inputting of the center position is omitted, there are available a variety 
of examples as shown in the parts (b) through (h) of FIG. 5(A). 
In these examples, the following data are inputted in combination in the 
same manner as that in the above-described embodiment: 
POSITIONING DIRECTION: CW/CCW, 
START POINT COORDINATES: Xs, Ys / .theta.S, Rs, 
END POINT COORDINATES: Xe, Ye / .theta.e, Re, 
MACHINING POINT NUMBER / EQUAL-DIVISION ANGLE: Nn / An 
PRESENCE OF ABSENCE OF STARTING POINT MACHINING: I/0, 
RADIUS: Rn, 
CENTER DIRECTION: .rarw./.fwdarw./.dwnarw./.uparw.. 
In the embodiment, the X-Y coordinate system is employed; however, it goes 
without saying that, instead, the X-Z coordinate system or Y-Z coordinate 
system may be used. In addition, the processing is carried out according 
to the flow chart of FIG. 6 which, similarly as in the above-described 
latter example, makes it possible to input "random pitch angle" instead of 
"machining point number / equal division angle". 
When, in the case where no center position is inputted, "5. EQUAL DIVISION 
MACHINING POINT NUMBER/EQUAL DIVISION ANGLE" in the hole cutting 
definition picture (A) FIG. 3(a) is skipped, then the picture shown in 
FIG. 3(b) is displayed, so that a random pitch angle can be inputted. 
In the above-described embodiments of the invention, the display unit 
comprises the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube); however, instead of it, a dot matrix 
type display unit may be employed. 
The system of the invention is applicable not only to machine tools, robots 
and laser machining apparatus, but also to welding machines such as spot 
welding machines, arc welding machines and plug welding machines, gas 
fusing machines, and adhesive coating machines. For instance in the case 
of a spot welding machine, the above-described embodiment of the invention 
can be applied thereto as it is with the welding points regarded as the 
machining positions; and in the case of an adhesive coating machine, the 
coating positions can be regarded as the machining positions. 
As was described above, according to the invention, in an interaction input 
format for a numerical control device. The center position is omitted, and 
the data for drilling holes at random division angle points on an arc or 
circle can be inputted. Therefore, it is unnecessary to manually calculate 
the center position, nor to input the data in a division mode. As a 
result, the number of interactive data inputting steps is reduced, and the 
program inputting efficiency is improved. In addition, during programming, 
the frequency of suspending the machining operation is decreased, with the 
result that the work efficiency of the machining tool or the like is 
improved.