An apparatus and method for simulating the behavior of the drive system
and the mechanism of machine tool or production-line machine by use of
mathematical models of the drives and the mechanisms of the driven
mechanical elements of the machine are disclosed. Preferably actual
values for regulated and unregulated axes are calculated at the same time
using NC- and PLC-models, respectively by an auxiliary computer using
desired values provided by a digital controller. The actual values are
then supplied to a mechanism model, preferably a geometric kinematic
model, which produces a state signal that is fed back to the digital
controller, preferably in real time. The result is an efficient, easy and
cost-effective simulation that closely approximates reality and can be
provided in real-time.