Kjellberg Hi-Focus 280i

$90,000 – $200,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Plasma Power Source

Hi-Focus 280i, 280A

Max Cutting Thickness (Mild Steel)

50 mm

Max Cutting Thickness (Stainless Steel)

40 mm

Max Cutting Thickness (Aluminum)

40 mm

Recommended Precision Cut Range

0.5–35 mm

Output Current Range

20–280 A

Overview

The Kjellberg Hi-Focus 280i is a high-definition precision plasma cutting system engineered and manufactured by Kjellberg Finsterwalde, Germany's leading plasma cutting technology company. With 280 amps of cutting power and Kjellberg's patented fine-focus plasma technology, the Hi-Focus 280i delivers near-laser cut quality on mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, cutting material thicknesses from thin gauge up to 50 mm depending on material type. Kjellberg's Hi-Focus series represents the pinnacle of European plasma cutting technology, widely used in automotive stamping plants, shipyards, and high-precision structural fabrication across Europe and globally.

The Hi-Focus 280i employs Kjellberg's advanced plasma gas management to achieve tight arc constriction and extremely low kerf width — as narrow as 1.0 mm on thin materials. This precision translates to parts with near-vertical cut faces, minimal heat-affected zones, and exceptionally low dross levels across a wide range of cutting speeds. The system's intelligent process control automatically adapts plasma parameters to material, thickness, and desired cut quality, reducing operator setup time and ensuring repeatability across production shifts.

Designed for full CNC table integration, the Hi-Focus 280i interfaces with leading CNC controllers from Kjellberg, Burny, Hypertherm, and ESAB. The system supports multi-torch configurations for simultaneous multi-part cutting, and its automatic gas console manages multiple gas types — including oxygen, nitrogen, argon-hydrogen, and air — with automatic switchover based on the selected cutting program. This flexibility allows a single installation to handle the full breadth of a fabrication shop's material mix without torch changeout.

The Hi-Focus 280i is particularly favored in precision fabrication for automotive body-in-white components, stainless steel food processing equipment, and architectural metalwork where cut quality must consistently meet tight tolerances. Its European heritage and Kjellberg's more than 100-year history in arc technology make it a preferred specification in German-speaking markets and among precision-focused fabricators worldwide.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Plasma Power Source	Hi-Focus 280i, 280A
Max Cutting Thickness (Mild Steel)	50 mm
Max Cutting Thickness (Stainless Steel)	40 mm
Max Cutting Thickness (Aluminum)	40 mm
Recommended Precision Cut Range	0.5–35 mm
Output Current Range	20–280 A
Input Voltage	380–480 VAC, 3-phase, 50/60 Hz
Minimum Kerf Width	Approx. 1.0 mm (thin gauge)
Gas Options	O2, N2, H35/Ar-H2, Air, F5
Cutting Process	Hi-Focus precision plasma
Positioning Speed	Up to 30,000 mm/min (table dependent)
Control System	Kjellberg CNC / Third-party compatible
Bevel Cutting Capability	Available with optional bevel head
Machine Weight	Approx. 320 kg (power supply unit)

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Exceptionally tight kerf width and near-vertical cut faces rivaling fiber laser on materials up to 20 mm
Automatic multi-gas management supports full material mix from a single installation without manual gas changeover
Over 100 years of Kjellberg arc technology expertise embedded in process control algorithms
Supports multi-torch configurations for simultaneous cutting, dramatically increasing throughput
Wide current range (20–280A) enables precision cutting on thin gauge and productive cutting on thick plate from one system

Limitations

Premium European pricing positions it at the high end of plasma system capital costs
Service and consumable availability outside Europe can require longer lead times than Hypertherm equivalents
System complexity and multi-gas requirements demand trained operators and dedicated gas infrastructure

Best For

Precision fabricators in automotive and aerospace requiring near-laser cut quality on production steel and aluminum Stainless steel and food processing equipment manufacturers demanding low heat-affected zones and clean edges European shipyards and heavy fabricators specifying German-engineered plasma technology for thick-plate structural cutting

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the Hi-Focus 280i compare to Hypertherm's XPR300 in cut quality?

Both systems are top-tier high-definition plasma cutters and deliver comparable cut quality on most materials. The Hi-Focus 280i is particularly strong in European market specifications and offers a highly refined multi-gas management system. The Hypertherm XPR300 has a larger global consumable distribution network and broader CNC table compatibility. In direct cut quality tests on mild steel, both systems produce edge angularity under 1 degree on recommended thickness ranges.

02 What gases does the Hi-Focus 280i require?

The Hi-Focus 280i supports oxygen, nitrogen, argon-hydrogen (H35), air, and F5 gas blends. For mild steel production cutting, oxygen provides the cleanest edge and highest speed. For stainless steel, nitrogen or argon-hydrogen minimizes edge oxidation. For aluminum, argon-hydrogen or nitrogen delivers optimal quality. The automatic gas console manages switchover between programs without operator intervention.

03 Is the Kjellberg Hi-Focus 280i available with bevel cutting capability?

Yes. The Hi-Focus 280i can be configured with Kjellberg's optional bevel cutting head, enabling weld preparation cuts at angles typically up to 45 degrees. This requires a compatible multi-axis CNC table with the appropriate bevel torch mount and kinematic calibration.