What are the design roots of the solid modeling and machining capabilities of
this package?

Are the cutting algorythms looking to a list of variables to define how they
actually cut? Can they be set with files as well as interface options?
Is there a command structure under the GUI?

How about looking to the model for part & stock info to help control the cuts?
Last but not least can this package import ".sat" files?

About the only question I can answer is the filetype import...:)

Supported type are dxf, dwg, Inventor iam and ipt, parasolids x_t and x_b, sat, sldprt, sldasm, mod, igs, stp, prt, ezmill geo, Acis sat and sab, Catia mod and model, Step and stp, Pro/E prt and asm, Catia V5 catpart and catproduct, SolidEdge par and asm, Unigraphics prt..Apha_1 a1, scl and xml, as well as it's own native fm format

enjoy