points qx for which the cut angles are the same into a single needle drop point step s 26 in the explanation that follows the needle drop point into which the other needle drop points have been consolidated by the processing at step s 26 is referred to as the needle drop point qx u2032 specifically first the cut angles for the consecutive needle drop points qx for which the cut angles are the same are identified for example in the cut data table 47 refer to fig1 the cut angle 45 degrees is associated with each of the needle drop points q 17 to q 28 therefore 45 degrees is identified as the consecutively identical cut angle next the cutting blade data table 46 is referenced and from among the cut lengths that are associated with the specified cut angle of 45 degrees the cut length 2l is identified as the cut length for which the multiple is closest to the variable p while not exceeding the value of the variable p the needle drop points q 17 to q 28 are set consecutively at intervals of the minimum cut length l the cpu 61 consolidates two of the consecutive needle drop points qx that are each associated with the cut length l into the single needle drop point qx u2032 which is associated with the cut length 2l the cpu 61 computes an intermediate point between the two needle drop points qx and then consolidates.