The Fagor 8040 and 8055 CNC units feature dual operating systems. One system provides icon key-based conversational programming while the other provides traditional programming using standard G codes. The conversational system helps less experienced operators create a CNC program for small-lot production or prototyping. The G-code system allows the expert operator to create optimized programs for large-run applications. For conversational programming, the user presses a key bearing an icon of the milling operation that calls up a picture of a sample part with entry boxes for appropriate axis coordinates, dimensions and conditions that define the operation. The user can then execute the created program or save it.