System, method, and computer program product for machine tool programming

1 . A method for developing numerically-controlled machine programs, comprising:

receiving program paths for a plurality of machine tools;

performing post processing on the program paths to produce post-processed data;

displaying a simulation of the operation of at least one machine tool according to the post-processed data; and

receiving synchronization data corresponding to the program paths.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the steps including performing, displaying, and receiving synchronization data are performed substantially simultaneously.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing program files.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving steps include an interaction with a data processing system user.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the simulation is displayed in real-time as the synchronization data is received.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of machine tools are tools controlled by a numerically-controlled machine.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of machine tools includes a vertical turret lathe.

8 . A data processing system having at least a processor and accessible memory, comprising:

means for receiving program paths for a plurality of machine tools;

means for performing post processing on the program paths to produce post-processed data;

means for displaying a simulation of the operation of at least one machine tool according to the post-processed data; and

means for receiving synchronization data corresponding to the program paths.

9 . The data processing system of claim 8 , wherein at least two of the means operate substantially simultaneously.

10 . The data processing system of claim 8 , further comprising means for storing program files.

11 . The data processing system of claim 8 , wherein the means for receiving include a user input device.

12 . The data processing system of claim 8 , wherein the simulation is displayed in real-time as the synchronization data is received.

13 . The data processing system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of machine tools are tools controlled by a numerically-controlled machine.

14 . The data processing system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of machine tools includes a vertical turret lathe.

15 . A computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-usable medium, comprising:

computer-executable instructions for receiving program paths for a plurality of machine tools;

computer-executable instructions for performing post processing on the program paths to produce post-processed data;

computer-executable instructions for displaying a simulation of the operation of at least one machine tool according to the post-processed data; and

computer-executable instructions for receiving synchronization data corresponding to the program paths.

16 . The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein at least two of the computer-executable instructions for performing, displaying, and receiving synchronization data are executed substantially simultaneously.

17 . The computer program product of claim 15 , further comprising computer-executable instructions for storing program files.

18 . The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the computer-executable instructions for receiving include instructions for an interaction with a data processing system user.

19 . The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the simulation is displayed in real-time as the synchronization data is received.

20 . The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of machine tools are tools controlled by a numerically-controlled machine.

21 . The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of machine tools includes a vertical turret lathe.