Importance

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Abstract

A machine tool includes a spindle head (4) movable in a predetermined direction, a spindle (9) attached to the spindle head (4) for undergoing machining of a workpiece, a column (3) supporting the spindle head (4), the column (3) being movable over a predetermined plane (X-Y plane) perpendicular to the predetermined direction so that the spindle head (4) is movable over a plurality of machining regions (22L, 22R), a plurality of palettes (23L, 23R) each detachably mounting the workpiece and movable into and away from its associated machining region, and a table (13) mounting the plurality of palettes (23L, 23R) thereon. In one aspect of the invention, an external operation box (101) is provided from which a selected program number is entered and is impressed on an input port of a CPU (100). The CPU (100) calls a machining program identified by the selected program number to thus perform machining of the palette loaded on the associated machining region. In another aspect of the invention, an end point to which the column is finally moved is checked if it is within an allowable movement range of the column and the movement of the column is prohibited if the end point is out of the allowable range.

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First Claim