Patent ID: 7209800

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for generating a control program for a machine tool, said machine tool having at least one sequence of sets of control data for the machining of a workpiece by means of operating units controlled by the control programs, comprising: providing a machine display for presenting a visualization of a virtual workpiece and at least two virtual operating units to a user by a data processing unit, each of said virtual operating units corresponding to an operating unit of said machine tool, addressing at least one of said virtual operating units by the user to specify virtual action(s) for said at least one virtual operating unit via a data input unit and visualizing said at least two virtual operating units and said specified virtual action(s) of said at least one virtual operating unit on said machine display to show relative movement between said at least two virtual operating units on said machine display, and converting the action(s) specified to said at least one virtual operating unit into sets of control data of the control program by the data processing unit taking into account a machine configuration and control configuration specified to said machine tool.