ESAB Spirit II CNC Plasma/Oxy-Fuel Cutting Table

$80,000 – $250,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Table Size

Standard 8x20 ft; custom widths and rail lengths to specification

cutting area

8 ft to 24+ ft wide; rail lengths to 100 ft and beyond (custom configurations)

plasma power source

ESAB EDGE Connect series (300A–600A) or compatible HD plasma

max cutting thickness

Plasma: 2 in (50 mm) quality cut; Oxy-fuel: 12+ in (300+ mm)

positioning speed

Up to 800 ipm (20,320 mm/min) rapid traverse

cutting speed

Plasma: 10–400 ipm; Oxy-fuel: 5–30 ipm depending on thickness

Overview

The ESAB Spirit II is a heavy-duty CNC cutting table designed for fabrication shops and steel service centers that need a dual-process platform — capable of both plasma and oxy-fuel cutting on the same machine. The Spirit II's gantry is built for large-format work, accepting bed configurations from 8 ft wide to over 20 ft long, and the rigid structural steel frame handles the demands of industrial production cutting without the positional drift that plagues lighter-duty gantries. This is a machine built for shops that cut all day, every day, in carbon steel from 1/8 in plate to 6-in structural.

The dual-process capability is the Spirit II's defining feature. The same gantry can carry a high-definition plasma torch for precision cuts in thinner material and an oxy-fuel torch head for cutting heavy structural plate and shapes where plasma economics don't make sense. Multi-torch configurations allow simultaneous cutting of duplicate parts, dramatically improving throughput on production runs of identical pieces. Bevel cutting attachments are available for those needing weld-prep bevels cut directly on the table without secondary processing.

ESAB equips the Spirit II with the Vision T5 CNC — the same control platform used on the Vision 50 — with DXF import, automated nesting, True-Hole technology for plasma, and parametric shape libraries for common structural details. Torch height control maintains consistent standoff during plasma cutting across warped or uneven plate, and the oxy-fuel cutting head uses automated height sensing appropriate for thick plate cutting. Operators can switch between plasma and oxy-fuel processes from the control without hardware reconfiguration.

The Spirit II targets steel service centers, heavy fabricators, and shipyards that prioritize flexibility and throughput over precision cutting of thin sheet. Where a laser excels at thin, cosmetic cuts and a waterjet handles mixed materials, the Spirit II is optimized for the high-volume, rough-to-semi-precision cutting that makes up the bulk of structural steel and heavy plate work. Its proven dual-process platform, ESAB consumables availability, and global service support have made it a long-running staple in heavy industrial cutting.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Cutting Area	8 ft to 24+ ft wide; rail lengths to 100 ft and beyond (custom configurations)
Plasma Power Source	ESAB EDGE Connect series (300A–600A) or compatible HD plasma
Max Cutting Thickness	Plasma: 2 in (50 mm) quality cut; Oxy-fuel: 12+ in (300+ mm)
Positioning Speed	Up to 800 ipm (20,320 mm/min) rapid traverse
Cutting Speed	Plasma: 10–400 ipm; Oxy-fuel: 5–30 ipm depending on thickness
Control System	ESAB Vision T5 CNC (dual-process support, True-Hole, multi-torch control)
Table Size	Standard 8x20 ft; custom widths and rail lengths to specification
Machine Weight	8,000–18,000 lb (3,630–8,165 kg) depending on rail length and configuration
Posts	1.8M
Members	86K
Since	2003

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Dual plasma/oxy-fuel capability on a single gantry maximizes machine versatility — one table handles thin plate plasma work and heavy structural oxy-fuel cutting
Multi-torch configurations allow simultaneous cutting of identical parts, doubling or tripling throughput on production runs without additional machine investment
Heavy-duty rail and gantry construction handles industrial production demands — no flex or positional drift even on long, continuous cutting cycles
Bevel cutting attachment option enables weld-prep bevels cut directly on the table, eliminating secondary grinding or milling operations on structural connections

Limitations

Large footprint and significant infrastructure requirements (water table, fume extraction, gas supply, power) make installation a major facilities project
Oxy-fuel process is slow compared to plasma on thin material and produces significant heat-affected zone — shops primarily cutting thin sheet should consider plasma-only systems
Higher capital cost than entry-level plasma tables; ROI requires sufficient production volume to justify the heavy-duty platform

Best For

Steel service centers cutting mixed orders ranging from 1/4 in plate to 6 in structural on the same machine in a single shift Heavy structural fabricators cutting beam copes, moment plates, column base plates, and large gussets where oxy-fuel handles the thickest work and plasma covers the rest Shipyards and pressure vessel manufacturers cutting hull plates, bulkheads, and nozzle pads from heavy carbon steel Job shops with diverse heavy plate work that need one flexible platform rather than separate plasma and oxy-fuel machines

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the maximum oxy-fuel cutting thickness for the Spirit II?

The Spirit II with oxy-fuel torch configuration can cut carbon steel up to 12 in (300 mm) and beyond with appropriate torch and gas settings. Standard oxy-fuel cutting heads handle material up to 6–8 in (150–200 mm) with good edge quality. For thicker cuts, specialty high-capacity torch heads and increased oxygen flow rates extend the range further. Oxy-fuel cutting quality on heavy plate generally exceeds plasma for material above 2 in where plasma heat input becomes problematic.

02 Can the Spirit II cut stainless steel and aluminum with oxy-fuel?

No. Oxy-fuel cutting is a combustion process that requires the base metal to oxidize — it only works on carbon steel. Stainless steel and aluminum form stable oxide layers that resist oxy-fuel cutting. For stainless and aluminum, the Spirit II uses its plasma process, which cuts both metals effectively. This dual-process design covers the full range of metals a fabrication shop typically works with: oxy-fuel for heavy carbon steel and plasma for thinner carbon steel, stainless, and aluminum.

03 How does the Spirit II compare to the ESAB Vision 50?

The Spirit II is the larger, heavier-duty platform versus the Vision 50. Both use the Vision T5 control and ESAB plasma technology, but the Spirit II adds oxy-fuel capability, accommodates larger bed sizes, and is built for heavier production loads. The Vision 50 is better suited for fabrication shops with primarily plasma cutting needs in a mid-size format. The Spirit II is the choice for steel service centers, heavy fabricators, and any shop that needs oxy-fuel capability or must cut very large and heavy plate.