Computer controlled machine tool system with stored macro language program for effecting pattern type punching operations

Claim 2

In a machine tool control system including a. a machine tool control for effecting a series of punching operations on a workpiece in response to a sequence of blocks of machine tool commands, b. an automatically operable data input means operable to supply a sequence of instructions, and including a coded record with said instructions stored along the length thereof, said coded record having in the sequence of instructions thereon respective abbreviated geometric type macro instructions each representing a respective different geometric pattern of points on a workpiece, and c. a stored program digital computer operably connected on line with said data input means for receiving said instructions therefrom, and operable to respond to said instructions to generate corresponding blocks of machine tool commands in accordance therewith, and operably connected on line with said machine tool control for transmitting said corresponding blocks of machine tool commands to said machine tool control, thereby providing direct control of the machine tool in the execution of a series of punching operation without the necessity of storage of said series of blocks of machine tool displacement commands in said computer, said computer itself having as a part thereof a computer memory and having stored in said computer memory a macro language machine tool control program including subprograms for controlling said computer in responding to the respective abbreviated geometric type macro instructions to generate corresponding sequences of blocks of machine tool commands, and said computer memory having included said macro language machine tool control program for controlling the computer to transmit the blocks of machine tool commands of a sequence corresponding to each of said abbreviated geometric type macro instructions as they are generated directly to said machine tool control, thereby effecting the immediate punching of a group of holes disposed in a given geometric pattern in response to each such abbreviated geometric type macro instruction, without any recording of said sequences of blocks of machine tool commands on the coded record, whereby a coded record of greatly reduced length may be utilized to effect punching of a series of holes which includes groups of holes arranged in the respective different geometric patterns.

Claim 3

In a machine tool control system including a. a machine tool control for effecting a serIes of work operations at successive points on a workpiece in response to a sequence of blocks of machine tool commands, b. an automatically operable data input means operable to supply a sequence of instrucitons, and including a coded record with said instructions stored along the length thereof, said coded record having in the sequence of instructions thereon respective abbreviated geometric type macro instructions each representing a respective different geometric pattern of points on a workpiece, and c. a stored program digital computer operably connected on line with said data input means for receiving said instructions therefrom, and operable to respond to said instructions to generate corresponding blocks of machine tool commands in accordance therewith, and operably connected on line with said machine tool control for transmitting said corresponding blocks of machine tool commands to said machine tool control, thereby providing direct control of the machine tool in the execution of a series of work operations without the necessity of storage of said series of blocks of machine tool displacement commands in said computer, said computer itself having as a part thereof a computer memory and having stored in said computer memory a macro language machine tool control program including subprograms for controlling said computer in responding to the respective abbreviated geometric type macro instructions to generate corresponding sequences of blocks of machine tool commands, and said computer memory having included therein a portion of said macro language machine tool control program for controlling the computer to transmit the blocks of machine tool commands of a sequence corresponding to each of said abbreviated geometric type macro instructions as they are generated directly to said machine tool control, thereby effecting consecutive work operations at a group of points disposed in a given geometric pattern in response to each such abbreviated geometric type macro instruction, without any recording of said sequences of blocks of machine tool commands on the coded record, whereby a coded record of greatly reduced length may be utilized to effect consecutive work operations which include consecutive work operations at groups of points arranged in the respective different geometric patterns.

Claim 4

In a machine tool control system including a. a machine tool control for effecting a serIes of work operations at successive points on a workpiece in response to a sequence of blocks of machine tool commands, b. an automatically operable data input means operable to supply a sequence of instrucitons, and including a coded record with said instructions stored along the length thereof, said coded record having in the sequence of instructions thereon respective abbreviated geometric type macro instructions each representing a respective different geometric pattern of points on a workpiece, and c. a stored program digital computer operably connected on line with said data input means for receiving said instructions therefrom, and operable to respond to said instructions to generate corresponding blocks of machine tool commands in accordance therewith, and operably connected on line with said machine tool control for transmitting said corresponding blocks of machine tool commands to said machine tool control, thereby providing direct control of the machine tool in the execution of a series of work operations without the necessity of storage of said series of blocks of machine tool displacement commands in said computer, said computer itself having as a part thereof a computer memory and having stored in said computer memory a macro language machine tool control program including subprograms for controlling said computer in responding to the respective abbreviated geometric type macro instructions to generate corresponding sequences of blocks of machine tool commands, and said computer memory having included therein a portion of said macro language machine tool control program for controlling the computer to transmit the blocks of machine tool commands of a sequence corresponding to each of said abbreviated geometric type macro instructions as they are generated directly to said machine tool control, thereby effecting consecutive work operations at a group of points disposed in a given geometric pattern in response to each such abbreviated geometric type macro instruction, without any recording of said sequences of blocks of machine tool commands on the coded record, whereby a coded record of greatly reduced length may be utilized to effect consecutive work operations which include consecutive work operations at groups of points arranged in the respective different geometric patterns.