The existing program interface of numeric controls according to ISO 6983 (DIN 66025) has serious lacks regarding information volume and content, transparency and data exchange. Therefore, program adaptation can hardly be carried out down at the shop floor. Consequently, the manufacturing experience of the operator cannot be used. In order to solve this problem, a new manufacturing-feature-oriented method of description for drilling and milling processes has been developed 1) . The machining job is described by manufacturing features, which represent the material volume that has to be removed. Each manufacturing feature is assigned to manufacturing steps, that contain necessary manufacturing parameters, e.g. way of method, tools, strategy and cutting parameters.