STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data) is an ISO standard exchange format used for representing 3D objects. It encodes detailed 3D data and is widely supported across different CAD software. STEP files are advantageous in CNC machining for several reasons:

‍Compatibility: STEP files are universally compatible with almost all CAD/CAM software.

‍Detail: They retain all the geometric and dimensional data of a part, essential for precision machining.

‍Flexibility: They can be easily edited, making them ideal for iterative design processes.