Thin rib machining of electronic components or airframe structures can benefit from high speed machining for burr free cutting, improved surface quality and increased metal removal rate. It is suggested that the use of a magnetic bearing spindle can not only successfully provide the benefits of high speed machining but, more importantly, minimize tool path errors. In this paper the various sources of tool path error are discussed as functions of machine tool positioning errors and cutting force errors which are characterized as static, dynamic and stochastic. The operation of high speed magnetic bearing spindles is described and a control scheme whereby the spindle may be translated and tilted for minimizing tool path errors is discussed. This overall research activity is a cooperative effort between the University of Maryland, Cincinnati Milacron, Magnetic Bearings, Inc., The Uestinghouse Corporation, and The National Bureau of Standards.