CNC Link FAQ
How does CNC Link work?
CNC Link acts as a bridge between your CNC machine and your shop network.
To the CNC machine, CNC Link appears as USB storage. To computers, phones, and tablets on your local network, CNC Link provides a simple web interface for transferring and managing CNC programs.
When you send a file through CNC Link, the device temporarily takes control of its internal storage, writes the new file, and then returns the storage to the CNC control.
There is no software to install on your computer and no special application required. You simply open CNC Link in a web browser.
Does CNC Link require an internet connection?
No.
CNC Link only needs a connection to your local Wi-Fi network.
An internet connection is not required for normal operation, file transfers, file management, or access to the CNC Link interface.
Does CNC Link send data back to the internet or a cloud server?
No.
CNC Link does not need to call back to an external server to operate.
The CNC Link website is hosted directly on the CNC Link device itself. When you open the CNC Link web interface, you are communicating directly with the device across your local network.
Your CNC programs do not need to be uploaded to a cloud service in order to transfer them to your machine.
Is the CNC Link website hosted online?
No.
The web interface is stored and hosted directly on CNC Link.
For example, when you visit a CNC Link address such as:
DMU_50.local
your browser is connecting directly to that CNC Link on your shop network.
The interface may look like a normal website, but it is being served by the device sitting at your CNC machine.
Can CNC Link work on a network without internet access?
Yes.
A completely isolated shop network can be used.
As long as your computer and CNC Link are connected to the same local network, you can access the device and transfer files.
Do I need to install software?
No.
CNC Link is browser based.
You can access it from most modern computers, phones, or tablets using a web browser.
There is no Windows application, driver package, cloud client, or subscription software required for normal use.
How does the CNC machine see CNC Link?
CNC Link presents its storage to the CNC control as a USB storage device.
From the machine's point of view, it behaves similarly to using a USB flash drive.
CNC Link simply adds the ability to manage that storage wirelessly from another device on your network.
What happens when I send a program?
When a file is sent using Quick Send, CNC Link:
Temporarily disconnects the storage from the CNC control.
Writes the new CNC program to storage.
Completes the transfer.
Returns the storage to the CNC automatically.
The CNC can then access the new file.
This process is handled automatically by CNC Link.
What is Quick Send?
Quick Send is the fastest way to send a program to the machine.
Open the CNC Link web page, drag a file into the transfer area or select Choose File, and CNC Link handles the storage switching automatically.
Once the transfer is complete, storage is returned to the CNC.
What is Web File Access?
Web File Access gives you temporary control of the CNC Link storage through the browser.
While Web File Access is active, you can perform tasks such as:
View files stored on CNC Link
Upload additional programs
Download programs
Delete files
Manage stored CNC programs
During this time, the CNC's USB connection is temporarily unavailable because the web interface owns the storage.
What happens if I forget to return storage to the CNC?
CNC Link automatically protects against this.
When Web File Access is enabled, CNC Link starts a timeout period. After approximately 90 seconds of inactivity, storage is automatically returned to the CNC.
You can also select Return to CNC Now at any time.
Can the CNC and the web interface access the storage at the same time?
No.
Only one device can safely own the storage at a time.
Normally, the CNC owns the storage.
When you upload or manage files, CNC Link temporarily switches ownership to the web interface. Once the operation is complete, ownership is returned to the CNC.
This prevents both systems from attempting to write to the same storage simultaneously.
How do I access CNC Link?
Once initial setup is complete, CNC Link displays its network information and web address.
A typical address may look like:
DMU_50.local
Enter that address into a web browser on a computer, phone, or tablet connected to the same network.
How is CNC Link configured the first time?
During first-time setup, CNC Link creates its own temporary Wi-Fi network.
Connect to the CNC Link setup network and open:
192.168.4.1
From the setup page you can configure:
Machine name
CNC controller name
CNC Link web address
Shop Wi-Fi network
Wi-Fi password
After configuration, CNC Link restarts and connects to your shop network.
Can I name each CNC Link after the machine?
Yes.
Each CNC Link can have its own machine name and web address.
For example:
DMU50.local
HAAS_UMC750.local
MAZAK_VCN.local
This makes it easy to identify multiple machines around the shop.
Can I have more than one CNC Link on the same network?
Yes.
Each CNC Link can be configured with a unique hostname and machine identity.
A shop can have multiple CNC Link devices connected to the same network, with each one assigned to a different machine.
What devices can access CNC Link?
Any compatible device on the same network with a modern web browser can typically access CNC Link.
This can include:
Windows PCs
Laptops
Tablets
Phones
Shop workstations
No dedicated CNC Link application is required.
Does CNC Link store my Wi-Fi information?
CNC Link stores the Wi-Fi credentials necessary to reconnect to your shop network after restarting.
Those settings remain on the device.
CNC Link does not require those credentials to be sent to an external cloud service.
What if I change my shop Wi-Fi network?
CNC Link includes a Wi-Fi reset function.
After resetting the stored Wi-Fi credentials, CNC Link returns to setup mode so you can connect it to a new network.
The machine name, controller information, and hostname can remain intact while the Wi-Fi connection is reconfigured.
What happens if the internet goes down?
Normally, nothing.
CNC Link communicates locally between your device and the CNC Link hardware.
If your local Wi-Fi network is still operating, you can continue using CNC Link even if the shop's internet connection is unavailable.
Can I use CNC Link on an isolated manufacturing network?
Yes.
CNC Link is well suited to networks where CNC equipment is intentionally separated from the public internet.
The computer sending the files and CNC Link simply need to be able to communicate with each other on the same local network.
Does CNC Link modify my CNC program?
No.
CNC Link transfers the file you provide.
It does not alter toolpaths, feeds and speeds, G-code, program numbers, or CNC commands contained inside your program.
Always verify CNC programs before running them on a machine.
Does CNC Link control the CNC machine?
No.
CNC Link is a file-transfer and storage device.
It does not control machine motion, start machining cycles, modify offsets, or operate machine safety systems.
The CNC operator remains responsible for loading, verifying, and running the program at the machine.
What happens if CNC Link loses power?
CNC Link will restart when power is restored and reconnect using its saved configuration.
The CNC Link interface and network connection will become available again once the device finishes booting.
Can I change the display settings?
Yes.
Depending on the installed firmware, CNC Link includes settings for features such as:
Display brightness
Screen orientation
Display sleep or standby time
Interface preferences
Display standby only turns off the screen backlight. CNC Link can remain connected and operational in the background.
Can CNC Link firmware be updated?
Yes.
CNC Link supports firmware updates so features, compatibility, and functionality can be improved over time.
Firmware maintenance is available through the CNC Link interface on supported versions.
Only install firmware intended specifically for your CNC Link hardware.
Is CNC Link cloud storage?
No.
CNC Link is local CNC storage with network access.
Its purpose is to make transferring files to CNC equipment easier without requiring programs to pass through a third-party cloud platform.
Why not just use a USB flash drive?
A USB flash drive works, but it normally requires someone to physically move the drive between a computer and the CNC machine.
CNC Link allows that same basic USB-style workflow while adding wireless access.
Instead of walking a flash drive across the shop, a programmer can send the CNC file directly from a workstation.
Is CNC Link intended to replace DNC or full shop networking systems?
Not necessarily.
CNC Link is designed to provide a simple way to move programs to machines that already support USB storage.
For many shops, that may be all they need.
More complex manufacturing environments may still use DNC systems, network shares, machine-monitoring software, or other manufacturing infrastructure alongside CNC Link.
Is my CNC program sent through CNC Link's servers?
No.
CNC Link does not require an external CNC Link server for normal file transfers.
The typical path is simply:
Your computer → Local shop network → CNC Link → CNC machine
The transfer occurs inside your local network.
What problem is CNC Link designed to solve?
CNC Link is designed to eliminate one of the most basic frustrations still found in CNC shops:
walking programs back and forth with USB drives.
It gives older and newer USB-capable CNC machines a simple local web interface without requiring complicated networking, dedicated transfer software, or cloud storage.
Post the program. Open CNC Link. Send the file. Get back to making parts.