This paper investigates the fasibiliLy of applying mathematical programming and heuristic simtlation algorithms for the optimal selection of cutting parameters in M/C tools. Recently, this problem has become of major interest to researchers working in the area of Computer Aided Manufacturing (C.A.M). The concepts and methods developed in this paper are very useful for the production engineers and can be successfully applied for semi-automatic and automatic machine tool production centres as well as Numerically Controlled M/C Tools or direct numerically controllel M/C centres (DNC) and FMS.