The issue of optimal cutting mode selection is one of the essential issues when creating mechanical technology. Certain physical conditions (or set of conditions) should exist within technological cutting system in case of the optimal machining modes and provide this optimality. In this case, the deformation processes of chip formation and their relation with materials physical and mechanical characteristics during high-speed plastic deformation; the levels and dynamic characteristics of the most technological system; and the results of vibration interaction of system elements with deformation processes are considered to be physical conditions. The possibility of creation of machining process monitoring system occurs when determining certain correlations between the listed factors, there is a. The results of study of the chip formation process are the determining factor within the development of control system. This paper covers the study of chip formation deformation processes for the subsequent creation of a system of automated selection of effective cutting modes. The present paper studies the micro-photos of chip roots specimens. The results of these photos study allow constructing the scheme of formation of separate fragments of local chip volumes. The paper presents the chip formation model with parallel borders. The authors also studied the photos of chips and their deformation characteristics received while processing various materials with a wide range of cutting modes. The paper gives the scheme for model of deformation cycle during chip formation. The authors determined the correlation relationship of plastic zone sizes and the time of deformation cycle. Numerical experiment was carried out to study the influence of cutting velocity and cutting feed on the change of chip formation frequency. This study is the basis for creation of a system of automated determination of the optimal turning modes.