Koike Aronson Ironworker Plasma CNC Cutting Table
Key Specifications
Table Size
cutting processes
cutting capacity mild steel
drive system
control
torch height control
Overview
The Koike Aronson Ironworker Plasma is a CNC plasma cutting table system designed for structural steel and ironwork fabrication environments where cutting of plate, sheet, structural sections, and steel components is performed in conjunction with punching, shearing, and forming operations. Koike Aronson's Ironworker Plasma concept targets structural steel fabricators — ironworkers and steel construction shops — that need a CNC plasma cutting solution engineered specifically for the demanding work patterns of structural fabrication: cutting base plates, gussets, bracket plates, stiffeners, clip angles, and custom connection plates from carbon steel in mixed thicknesses and quantities.
Koike Aronson has a long history in the portable and light-gantry cutting machine market, building a reputation in pipe cutting, portable track cutting, and small-format CNC plasma tables. The Ironworker Plasma is positioned within this heritage as a practical, shop-floor-ready solution that structural steel shops can deploy with minimal installation complexity. The machine's CNC control is accessible for operators who do not have extensive CNC programming backgrounds — a common reality in structural steel shops where cutting is performed by fitters and fabricators rather than dedicated CNC operators.
The cutting table integrates a plasma power source — typically an air plasma system in the 80–120 amp class — with a CNC gantry, torch height control, and a downdraft or water table for fume and dross management. The table size is configured for standard plate processing, commonly in the 1.5 m x 3 m (5 ft x 10 ft) range that accommodates full-length structural plate sections. The CNC control supports DXF file import and standard parametric shapes, enabling rapid programming of common structural connection geometries without full CAD/CAM nesting software.
For structural steel fabricators, the ability to cut accurately sized connection plates, hole-bearing plates, and custom gussets on demand — without sending work out to a service center — is the primary value driver. The Ironworker Plasma's positioning in the workflow between the structural steel ironworker (punch/shear) and the welding station makes it a logical addition to a shop that already performs punching and shearing on ironworker machines and needs the next step of precision plasma cutting for plate components that exceed the ironworker's capacity or require non-rectangular profiles.
The Ironworker Plasma competes in a segment that includes small-format CNC plasma tables from Lincoln Electric, Hypertherm (Powermax with table), and domestic table manufacturers. Koike Aronson's differentiation is its structural fabrication focus and reputation in the ironworking and pipeline construction sectors, where the Koike brand has decades of recognition for portable cutting equipment. Shops already using Koike Aronson track cutters and portable machines often extend their investment to the Ironworker Plasma as a natural addition to their Koike cutting equipment fleet.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Cutting Processes | CNC plasma (air plasma) |
| Cutting Capacity Mild Steel | Typically up to 25–38 mm depending on plasma power source |
| Table Size | Approx. 1.5 m x 3 m (5 ft x 10 ft) standard; custom sizes available |
| Drive System | CNC gantry with rack-and-pinion or lead screw drives |
| CNC Control | CNC controller with DXF import and parametric shape library |
| Torch Height Control | Integrated arc-voltage THC |
| Plasma Power Source | Integrated air plasma, typically 80–120 A |
| Table Type | Downdraft or water table for fume and dross management |
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Designed specifically for structural steel fabrication workflows, with parametric shape libraries for common connection plates, gussets, and base plates
- Accessible CNC control reduces training requirements for structural steel fitters and fabricators with limited CNC programming experience
- Koike Aronson brand reputation in the ironworking and structural steel market provides familiarity and established support relationships
- Self-contained system with integrated plasma power source and THC simplifies installation and commissioning
- Eliminates the need to outsource precision plate cutting to service centers for standard structural connection components
Limitations
- Smaller table format compared to production plasma portals limits the size of plate that can be processed in a single setup
- Air plasma power source limits cut quality on stainless steel and aluminum compared to mechanized plasma systems with dedicated gas options
- For shops with very high plasma cutting volumes, a larger production portal system would provide better throughput and lower cost per cut
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
The Ironworker Plasma is typically configured with an air plasma power source in the 80–120 amp class. The specific plasma system varies by configuration and customer requirements. Koike Aronson works with major plasma power source manufacturers and can integrate the customer's preferred plasma brand into the table system.
02
Yes. Air plasma systems cut stainless steel, though cut quality on stainless is less refined than on mild steel due to the air oxidizing the cut face. For shops with significant stainless cutting requirements, a plasma system with nitrogen shield gas or a high-definition plasma would produce better cut face quality.
03
The Ironworker Plasma's CNC control accepts DXF file input from standard CAD systems. The control also includes a built-in parametric shape library for common structural shapes — rectangles, circles, slots, and custom hole patterns — that can be programmed directly at the machine without external software. For full nesting capability, standard nesting software packages that export to the machine's NC format are compatible.
04
The RK350 is a fixed gantry CNC plasma cutting machine designed for general plate cutting applications. The Ironworker Plasma is specifically positioned for structural steel fabrication workflows with connection plate-focused shape libraries and operator interface. Both are Koike Aronson CNC plasma products but target different operator profiles and application niches.
05
The Ironworker Plasma is available with a downdraft cutting table that draws fumes downward through the slat grid into a collection plenum, or a water table configuration where the plate rests just above a water surface that absorbs fumes and cools dross. A separate filtration unit is required to treat the extracted air before returning it to the shop or exhausting it outside.
Videos
De Maxwell
Norman Machine Tool Ltd.
Eastwood Company
West Auctions
Steel Fabrication Machinery
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