Patent ID: 7096087

Claim:
An automatic programming method for automatically producing a multi-line control program executed in an NC machine tool provided with at least one spindle and at least one tool rest, both operable under control in a plurality of lines, comprising: individually preparing and previously registering a plurality of programs for controlling a plurality of processes required to manufacture a machined product in said NC machine tool, without considering allocation of the programs to said plurality of lines; previously registering tool data relating to attributes of a plurality of types of tools capable of being used in a plurality of types of cutting processes capable of being performed in said NC machine tool; previously registering tool mount data relating to positions, in said at least one tool rest, of a plurality of sets of tool mounts provided in said at least one tool rest; previously registering a tool holder data relating to attributes of a plurality of types of tool holders capable of being installed onto said tool mounts; previously setting and registering a tool management determining algorithm used for allocating mounting locations of a plurality of designated tools, designated in said plurality of programs, for said tool mounts, provided that some of said programs are executed simultaneously in at least two lines among said plurality of lines; specifying a plurality of tool mounts, as said mounting locations of designated tools, allowing execution of a program associated with said designated tools, among said plurality of tool mounts, on the basis of said tool data and said tool mount data, and selecting a plurality of tool holders used for mounting said designated tools correspondingly onto said plurality of tool mounts as specified, on the basis of said tool data and said tool holder data, in accordance with said tool management determining algorithm; and describing a command, designating said plurality of tool mounts as specified, into said plurality of programs, after the selecting of a plurality of tool holders is completed, and automatically allocating said plurality of programs to said plurality of lines.