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This paper presents the development of a generative computer-aided process planning system that covers part of macro level planning activities. The system's task is to generate all appropriate machining operation sequences and select the most promising ones, according to a given set of criteria, while the final choice is to be made by the user. The system acts as a classical “production” system that interprets expert rules on input workpiece data according to the knowledge and data in the engineering knowledge base. By using the technological knowledge in rule form the system largely constrains the solution space and produces a reasonably small set of meaningful alternatives. The advantage of the expert system approach also lies in the program's flexibility which enables easy adjustment of the system according to specific shop-floor environments.