This document summarizes an experiment that optimized cutting parameters for machining austenitic stainless steel AISI 316 on a CNC lathe machine. The experiment used Taguchi methods to design experiments that varied cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut. 27 experiments were conducted and surface roughness was measured. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the percentage contribution of each factor on surface roughness. The results showed that feed rate had the maximum effect on surface roughness, while depth of cut had the minimum effect. Cutting speed had the least effect on surface roughness of the workpiece surface.