# CNC settings

Last updated: October 25, 2026

CNC settings decide which machine, which post and which cutters moducut writes the G-code for. They are grouped on three tabs in the CNC Settings window in the Settings menu, and changes apply instantly.

> **Short answer** Open **Settings › CNC Settings**. Enter the machine profile and output format on the Machine and Post tab, the tool mode on Tool Settings, and the cutter diameter and speeds on Cutting Settings; **Save** closes the window.

## Machine and Post

- **Machine.** Choose your machine from the profile list. The list has moducut’s own profiles, ready machine profiles and the ArtCAM TAP (Mach) profile. Table, cutter, file and safe Z information come with the profile.
- **Machine management.** **Add New** opens an editable copy of the selected machine; you manage the copy with **Rename** and **Delete**. Ready profiles do not change; **Restore Factory Settings** returns the machine to its original state.
- **Post template.** You write the Header (G-code Header), Tool change (Tool Change) and End (Footer) lines; the [TOOL_NUM], [SAFE_Z] and [ZH] placeholders are used. The Comment mark, File extension, Line number step, Safe Z, Table Width, Table Length, Start X and Start Y are also here.
- **Motion and axes.** Drilling (Single plunge or Peck), Vacuum (M8 / M9), Machine zero corner, swapping X and Y, reversing the X and Y directions, Rapid move (G0) and Acceleration.
- **Drilling unit.** The machine’s drilling unit settings.
- **Output.** Choose the file extension on the Format row: .tap, .nc, .gcode, .txt or .anc.

Rapid move (G0) and Acceleration are not written to the program; the Cutting simulation uses these values to calculate idle time.

## Tool Settings

- **Tool mode.** In single tool mode, drilling, grooves, pockets and sizing are done with one cutter. In multi tool mode, a suitable cutter is chosen for each job; if there is no tool changer, choose the program’s behavior on the At cutter change row: Separate file, Stop (M0), M1 or Do not stop.
- **Cutter at change.** Waits in place or goes to the Change point; the point’s X and Y are entered in machine coordinates (G53).
- **Tool length.** With measurement On, you enter the measuring plate and search settings; with it Off, Z zero is set by hand.
- **Pen Marking.** When on, corner marks and a grain arrow are drawn on parts with a pen; the pen’s tool and depth are chosen.

## Cutting Settings

- **Sizing.** With contour (two passes) or Without contour (single pass). With contoured sizing, the last pass leaves a thin skin that holds the part on the sheet.
- **Router bit and speeds.** Each cutter’s Diameter, Cutting and Plunge values, plus Drilling, Groove, Contour and Sizing speeds. As a cutter is sharpened, its diameter shrinks; enter the diameter you measure to the micron, for example 5.985.
- **Hole allowance and Depth allowance.** Fine-tuning allowances for holes and depth.
- **ArtCAM tools.** **Import ArtCAM tools (.tdb)** imports an ArtCAM tool database; you can remove it from the same place if needed.

> **Tip:** The Sizing choice in Cutting Settings also appears in Nesting Settings and the Cutting simulation; changing it in one changes all of them and the production file.

## Frequently asked questions

### My machine is not on the list; what should I do?

Choose the profile closest to your machine and create a copy with Add New. In the copy, edit the post template, table size, zero corner and file extension for your machine. If you get stuck, message us from the [contact](/en/contact/) page.

### On a single-tool machine, what happens to jobs that need a different cutter?

In single tool mode, all jobs are written with one cutter; a warning is given for jobs assigned to another cutter when exporting G-code. To use different cutters, choose Multi tool mode.

### What happens if I forget to save the changes?

Changes in CNC Production Settings apply instantly; the Save button closes the window.