The machine tool data model of STEP-NC (ISO 14649) was conceived as a necessary extension to the original STEP-NC set of standards to make efficient control possible. The intention of this paper is to describe the background to the data model as well as related research work building on a higher level of information than can currently be found in the control information. The development of STEP-NC controllers promises improved manufacturing and resource use. However, even with legacy controllers there are advantages in using STEP-NC as an intermediate representation. This paper describes how the data model for describing machine capability was developed and what can be delivered by using this standard data model for machine tool. A machine tool selection algorithm is developed in order to validate the data model. Technical issues were derived from developing a system for process planning based on STEP-NC. Machine tools are selected automatically by the comparison with machine capability, work space and tolerance with the proposed data model. This function can contribute reconfigurable manufacturing systems and distributed and multi-controller-based manufacturing environment.