Advances　in　computer　technology　have　changed　traditional　methods　for　manufacturing　engineering　education.　In　particular,　the　advent　of　virtual　reality　is　furthering　manufacturing　education　to　a　potential　higher　level　where　both　comprehensive　knowledge　learning　and　physical　skills　training　can　be　achieved　in　an　interactive　synthetic　environment.　In　this　article,　details　of　the　development　of　a　virtual　machining　lab　are　presented.　©　1998　John　Wiley　&　Sons,　Inc.