Machining components out of tolerances is of no use in competitiveproduction. The machining system sets the limitations of dimensionalaccuracy and surface quality of a machined component. The capabilityof the machining system describes these limits in terms of specifiedvalues. This thesis deals with machining system capability analysismainly focused on machine tool static and dynamic stiffness.The influence of stiffness and flexibility on machining systemcapability is analytically and experimentally investigated. Theexperimental work presented in the thesis complies with the theoriesand shows the relation between machine tool capability and theoutcome on the machine component.The concept of capability analysis by elastic linked system andthe currently available tools for such an evaluation is presented anddiscussed. The basis of elastic linked system analysis is the use ofmeasurements under loaded condition. The machine tool is loadedwith a known force creating a test condition closer to real machining,compared to current methods of unloaded machine tools. Twomeasurement tools for elastic linked system capability analysis areexplained in the thesis: Loaded Double Ball Bar and ContactlessExcitation and Response System.The thesis consists of an analytical base and an experimental casestudy on spiral bevel gear face milling. The experiments are discussedand compiled with the given theories. / <p>QC 20130513</p>