ESAB m3 Plasma
Key Specifications
output current range
plasma process
material capability
gas system
cut capacity 200a mild steel
cut capacity 400a mild steel
How much does the ESAB m3 Plasma cost?
Estimated price range
Our best estimate for a cnc plasma cutting in this class — not a quote from ESAB. Configuration moves it a long way.
Overview
The ESAB m3 Plasma is a mechanised precision plasma system with an output range of 100–400 A, depending on configuration, built around the Precision Plasmarc process with radial shield gas injection. The listed figures on this page have not been checked against a maker's document, so confirm them for the configuration you are quoted.
Capacity on mild steel is given at two current levels. At 200 amperes the listed figures are 38 mm production and 50 mm severance. At 400 A they are 65 mm production and 80 mm severance. Since the output range is configuration dependent, the first question for any m3 system is which power level it was built to, because that decides whether 38 mm or 65 mm is the working limit. Cut quality is listed as ISO 9013 Class 2–3 on mild steel, amperage dependent.
Process gas follows the metal: O2 plasma for mild steel, N2/F5 for stainless and N2/Ar for aluminum. A computerized multi-gas console selects the process automatically, which takes manual gas setting out of changeovers between materials. Bevel cutting is listed up to ±45 degrees, but only with the optional bevel head, and the torch list has an inline machine torch and a bevel torch.
Input is 380–600 V, 3-ph, 50/60 Hz. The system is listed as compatible with ESAB Vision controls and with third-party CNC controls, and the software row names ESAB Voyager for nesting and process management.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Output Current Range | 100–400 A (configuration dependent) |
| Plasma Process | Precision Plasmarc with radial shield gas injection |
| Material Capability | Mild steel (O2 plasma), stainless (N2/F5), aluminum (N2/Ar) |
| Gas System | Computerized multi-gas console (automatic process selection) |
| Cut Capacity 200a Mild Steel | 38 mm production; 50 mm severance |
| Cut Capacity 400a Mild Steel | 65 mm production; 80 mm severance |
| Cut Quality | ISO 9013 Class 2–3 on mild steel (amperage dependent) |
| Bevel Cutting | Up to ±45 degrees (with optional bevel head) |
| Compatible Controls | ESAB Vision, Burny, third-party CNC controls |
| Input Voltage | 380–600 V, 3-ph, 50/60 Hz |
| Torch Types | Inline machine torch, bevel torch |
| Software | ESAB Voyager nesting and process management |
Specifications compiled from manufacturer literature and industry references. Not independently verified against a published spec sheet — confirm with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before making a purchasing decision.
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Output range of 100–400 A, configuration dependent, from one system family
- Mild steel capacity at 400 A of 65 mm production and 80 mm severance
- ISO 9013 Class 2–3 cut quality on mild steel, depending on amperage
- Computerized multi-gas console with automatic process selection for O2, N2/F5 and N2/Ar processes
- Listed as compatible with ESAB Vision and third-party CNC controls, with input from 380–600 V
Limitations
- Bevel cutting up to ±45 degrees needs the optional bevel head
- At 200 amperes the production limit on mild steel is 38 mm, so the thick-plate figures apply only to a 400 A build
- No thickness figures are listed for stainless or aluminum, only the gases used for them
- Cut quality is stated for mild steel only and varies with amperage between Class 2 and Class 3
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
On mild steel the listed figures are 38 mm production and 50 mm severance at 200 amperes, and 65 mm production and 80 mm severance at 400 A. No thickness figure is listed for stainless or aluminum.
02
ISO 9013 Class 2–3 on mild steel, depending on amperage. The process is Precision Plasmarc with radial shield gas injection. The listed figures give no quality class for stainless or aluminum.
03
O2 plasma for mild steel, N2/F5 for stainless and N2/Ar for aluminum. A computerized multi-gas console handles the selection automatically, so the supply side needs each of those gases piped to the console for the metals you plan to cut.
04
Yes, up to ±45 degrees, with the optional bevel head. A bevel torch is listed alongside the inline machine torch. Confirm whether a given system was supplied with the bevel head, since it is an option.
05
The listed figures name ESAB Vision controls and third-party CNC controls as compatible, and ESAB Voyager as the nesting and process management software. Input power is 380–600 V, 3-ph, 50/60 Hz.
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