Patent ID: 6856854

Claim:
A machine tool for machining a workpiece into a desired shape by a tool which is capble of operating an axis control by moving or roatating at least one of the workpiece and the tool, obtaining a reference axis value on the basis of a predetermined reference and outputting a data for a position command stored corresponding to the obtained reference axis value, comprising: a first reference axis for generating the reference axis value as a reference timing signal every unit moving of the predetermined axis; first position data storage means for storing position data set respectively corresponding to a plurality of reference axis values on the basis of the first reference axis, the position data representing a moving position of at least one of the workpiece and the tool; a second reference axis for generating reference timing signal independently of unit moving of the predetermined axis; second position data storage means for storing position data set repectively corresponding to a plurality of reference axis values on the basis of the second reference axis, the position data representing a moving position of at least one of the workpiece and the tool; moving position defining means for defining a moving position of at least one of the workpiece and the tool by reading position data set for every reference axis value stored in one of the first position data storage means and the second position data storage means; switching timing storage means for storing a sign corresponding to the first reference axis value, the sign representing a timing for switching a reference axis to use when the moving position defining means defines the moving position; switching timing determining means for determining the timing for switching between the moving position definition by the reference axis value on the basis of the first reference axis and the moving position definition by the reference axis value on the basis of the second reference axis when the first reference axis value becomes a predetermined reference axis value so that the sign representing the timing for switching is read from the switching timing storage means; and reference axis switching means for switching, in response to the switching timing determining means, the moving position definition on the basis of the first reference axis and the moving position definition on the basis of the second reference axis.