The movement directions of the components of a CNC controlled machine tool are specified by a coordinate system, which refers to the work part to be machined and shows axes located parallel to the main linear movement. The movements necessary for machining the individual machine tool assemblies (table, turret and others) are calculated, controlled and tested by a computer. For this purpose each machining direction has a separate measuring system to calculate the corresponding positions of the machine tool assemblies and to return this information to the control.