Abstract: It is difficult to study the contribution of each sound radiator to total cutting noise in a cutting system by means of traditional theoretical or experimental methods. In this paper, problems associated with cutting noise of a cylindrical thin shell are studied by applying Statistical Energy Analysis principle for non-conservatively coupled systems under correlative excitations. Theory and techniques for parameter evaluation, cutting system modelling and other concerned important problems are discussed. Results show that cutting noise is mainly from the sound radiation of work-piece, and Statistical Energy Analysis can be applied successfully to research of cutting noise of large cylindrical shell.