Koike Aronson Pug 100

$3,000 - $8,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Machine Type

Portable track-mounted cutting carriage

Cutting Process

Oxy-fuel and plasma (universal torch mount)

Travel Speed Range

6 – 150 cm/min (stepless)

Track Type

Flexible magnetic or pin-type track

Torch Adjustment

Transverse and height adjustment

Drive Motor

DC servo motor with speed controller

Overview

The Koike Aronson Pug 100 is a compact, lightweight, and highly portable track-mounted pipe and plate cutting machine designed for field use and maintenance cutting applications in shipbuilding, structural steel fabrication, and pipeline construction. Unlike gantry-style CNC plasma tables, the Pug 100 is a self-propelled carriage that rides on a flexible magnetic or pin-type track, carrying an oxy-fuel or plasma torch along a workpiece of virtually unlimited length. This design philosophy — cutting comes to the material, not the other way around — makes the Pug 100 particularly valuable for in-situ fabrication and repair work where large structures cannot be moved to a stationary cutting machine.

The Pug 100 (and its predecessors in the Pug family) has been a Koike Aronson staple product for decades and is recognized globally by the name 'Pug' — which has become something of a generic trademark in the portable track cutting machine category, similar to 'Scotch' for tape. The machine is built around a robust, motorized drive unit that maintains consistent travel speed across the track, ensuring straight, consistent cuts or bevel cuts with repeatable quality. Speed control is precise and stepless, allowing the operator to dial in the correct cutting speed for the material thickness and process (oxy-fuel or plasma).

The Pug 100 accommodates both oxy-fuel and plasma cutting torches through its universal torch mount, giving operators flexibility to choose the process best suited to their material and thickness. Oxy-fuel mode is preferred for thick steel (>50 mm) where plasma plasma systems lose efficiency and cut quality, while plasma is faster and more precise for stainless steel, aluminum, and thinner carbon steel. The machine's low weight — typically under 5 kg for the drive unit alone — and compact size allow a single operator to carry and set up the system rapidly on a jobsite.

Applications span shipbuilding (cutting hull plate and structural members in-situ), petrochemical plant construction and maintenance (pipe cutting and beveling), bridge and structural steel fabrication, pressure vessel manufacturing, and field repair of heavy equipment. The Pug 100's combination of portability, dual-process capability, and Koike Aronson's reputation for durable field equipment makes it a standard tool in heavy industrial fabrication environments worldwide.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Machine Type	Portable track-mounted cutting carriage
Cutting Process	Oxy-fuel and plasma (universal torch mount)
Travel Speed Range	6 – 150 cm/min (stepless)
Track Type	Flexible magnetic or pin-type track
Torch Adjustment	Transverse and height adjustment
Drive Motor	DC servo motor with speed controller
Weight (Drive Unit)	Approx. 4.5 kg (10 lbs)
Power Supply	100–240V AC, 50/60 Hz
Cutting Capacity (Oxy-Fuel)	Up to 150 mm thick carbon steel
Cutting Capacity (Plasma)	Dependent on plasma power source (typically up to 50 mm)
Operating Temperature	-10°C to +50°C

Specifications sourced from koike.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Extremely portable — under 5 kg drive unit allows single-operator setup and use anywhere on a fabrication site or in the field
Dual oxy-fuel and plasma process capability from a single machine with universal torch mount
Flexible track system adapts to straight cuts, curves, and irregular workpiece surfaces without fixed table requirements
Stepless speed control ensures consistent cut quality across a wide range of material thicknesses
Decades-proven Koike Aronson reliability with global parts and service support in heavy industrial markets

Limitations

Not a CNC system — cuts are straight lines or simple curves defined by the track layout; complex profiles require a CNC gantry system
Cut quality and consistency are operator-dependent for setup, track placement, and torch height adjustment
Track setup time and alignment adds overhead compared to automated CNC plasma tables for shop-floor production cutting

Best For

Shipbuilders cutting and beveling hull plate and structural steel members in-situ aboard vessels under construction Pipeline and petrochemical contractors performing field pipe cutting, beveling, and maintenance cutting on large structures Bridge and structural steel fabricators making long straight cuts on oversized plate that cannot fit on a standard CNC table Heavy equipment repair shops performing field cutting and fit-up work on large machinery and structural components

Frequently Asked Questions

01 Is the Pug 100 a CNC machine?

No — the Pug 100 is a mechanized (motorized) portable cutting carriage, not a CNC system. It maintains consistent travel speed for straight and curved cuts defined by the track, but does not use computer numerical control to execute programmed cutting paths.

02 What type of track does the Pug 100 use?

The Pug 100 uses a flexible track system that can be magnetic (for attachment to ferrous steel plate) or pin-type. The track can be configured straight or curved and can follow the contour of the workpiece surface.

03 Can the Pug 100 make bevel cuts?

Yes. The torch mount on the Pug 100 can be angled to make bevel cuts for weld preparation, which is a primary use case in shipbuilding and pressure vessel fabrication.

04 What plasma power sources are compatible with the Pug 100?

The Pug 100 uses a universal torch mount compatible with torches from major plasma power source brands including Hypertherm, Lincoln Electric, Victor, and ESAB. The plasma power source is purchased separately from the cutting carriage.

05 Why is it called a 'Pug'?

The Pug name has been used by Koike and its predecessors for track-mounted cutting carriages for many decades. The name has become genericized in the fabrication industry — many portable track cutting machines are informally called 'pugs' regardless of manufacturer, similar to how 'Scotch tape' became a generic term.