LAPTOP-BASED MACHINE CONTROL SIMULATOR

A machine tool control simulator for a machine tool control having a plurali ty of first user-actuatable devices and a first display screen is disclosed. The machine tool control simulator may include a console and a laptop computer. The console may inclu de a plurality of second user-actuatable devices each corresponding to a respective one of the first user-actuatable devices. The second user-actuatable devices have a layout substantially similar to a layout of the first user-actuatable devices. A communication medium is coupled to the seco nd user-actuatable devices and communicates user inputs provided via the second user-actuatable devices. A support apparatus may be connected to the second user-actuatable devices and supports the second user-actuatable devices above a tabletop. The laptop computer include s a keyboard and an attached second display screen. The keyboard may be placed between the tabletop and the second user-actuatable devices. The computer is coupled to the communication medium to thereby receive the user inputs. The computer displays images on the second display screen in response to the user inputs. The images simulate images that would be displayed on the first display screen of the machine tool control in response to the user inputs.