Werkzeugschleifsimulationssystem

A simulation system (20) for a CNC machine tool includes a swept surface calculation engine (21) for processing workpiece data and grinding wheel data representing information about the grinding wheel (12) and its programmed path to generate a set of geometric envelopes representing the solid volume occupied by the grinding wheel (12) as it moves along its programmed path. The envelopes, workpiece data and grinding wheel data are processed by a 3-D rendering engine (22) to produce a three-dimensional perspective image of the workpiece (11) as it would appear after being ground by the grinding wheel (12). The simulation system (20) also includes a manipulation and control interface 923) which may be used for a wide variety of purposes to enhance the three-dimensional image, such as position, orientation and zoom control, control of simulated illuminated light sources, control of texture maps and color maps and overlay grids which may be superimposed on the surface of the simulated workpiece image.