Lincoln Electric CNC Plasma Cutting Machines

Lincoln Electric Spirit II

$500,000 - $1,200,000 (complete system with table) Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

plasma output

30–400 A (Bevel II power supply)

bevel angle range

±47.5 degrees

bevel profiles

V-groove, Y-groove, X-groove, K-groove, compound bevel

bevel axis count

5-axis torch carriage

cut capacity mild steel

80 mm severance; 60 mm production

cut capacity stainless

50 mm production

Overview

The Lincoln Electric Spirit II is a high-definition CNC plasma cutting system designed specifically for precision bevel cutting and weld prep automation in structural steel fabrication, bridge construction, and heavy equipment manufacturing. Lincoln Electric, one of the largest welding and cutting equipment manufacturers in the world, developed the Spirit II as a complete integrated bevel plasma system — combining a high-definition plasma power supply, 5-axis bevel torch carriage, and Vision CNC control into a unified cutting solution for shops where automated weld preparation is a production bottleneck.

The Spirit II's bevel torch carriage is the system's defining feature. The 5-axis carriage supports bevel angles up to ±47.5 degrees and is capable of cutting V-groove, Y-groove, X-groove, and K-groove weld preparation profiles in a single machine pass. The combination of bevel angle, plate thickness, and root face dimensions are programmed directly in the Vision CNC control from part geometry, eliminating the manual setup calculations required on simpler bevel systems. The Spirit II also supports compound bevel cuts where the bevel angle changes along the part perimeter — a requirement for complex structural shapes and transition pieces.

For plasma quality, Lincoln Electric integrates the Spirit II with their Bevel II high-definition plasma power supply, which offers output from 30 to 400 amps and multi-gas capability for mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. The gas management system automatically selects oxygen (mild steel), nitrogen (stainless and aluminum), and shield gas combinations based on the cut process. Lincoln Electric's True Hole process is available for the Spirit II, producing clean bolt holes in mild steel flanges without secondary operations.

The Spirit II is sold as a complete system including the Messer or Lincoln-branded gantry table, bevel head, plasma power supply, gas console, and Vision CNC control. Table sizes range from 5x20 feet to 14x60 feet for large structural fabrication applications. A complete Spirit II installation typically prices from $500,000 to $1,200,000 depending on table size, plasma amperage, and automation options. The Spirit II competes with ESAB's m3 Plasma bevel systems, Messer's PlasmaCenter with bevel option, and hypertherm-equipped Koike and Machitech bevel tables.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Plasma Output	30–400 A (Bevel II power supply)
Bevel Angle Range	±47.5 degrees
Bevel Profiles	V-groove, Y-groove, X-groove, K-groove, compound bevel
Bevel Axis Count	5-axis torch carriage
Cut Capacity Mild Steel	80 mm severance; 60 mm production
Cut Capacity Stainless	50 mm production
Gas System	Automatic multi-gas (O2, N2, air, shield)
True Hole	Yes (mild steel, optimized process)
Cnc Control	Lincoln Electric Vision CNC
Table Sizes	5x20 ft to 14x60 ft
Compatible Nesting	ProNEST, SigmaNEST, Lincoln BevelCut software
Input Voltage	380–600 V, 3-ph, 50/60 Hz

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Integrated 5-axis bevel head with ±47.5 degree range and V/Y/X/K groove capability enables single-setup weld prep on complex structural shapes, eliminating secondary beveling operations entirely
Compound bevel programming in the Vision CNC control handles variable-angle bevel cuts along part perimeters — required for structural transitions, pipe saddles, and complex weld joints
Lincoln Electric's global service network provides unmatched coverage for warranty, maintenance, and consumable support — critical for production-critical heavy plate operations
True Hole process produces bolt-ready holes in mild steel simultaneously with profile cutting, eliminating a common secondary operation in structural fabrication

Limitations

Capital cost of $500,000 to $1,200,000 requires extremely high bevel cutting volume to justify — shops with occasional bevel requirements are better served by manual or semi-automatic beveling
System complexity — 5-axis bevel head, multi-gas console, Vision CNC, and bevel software — creates a steep learning curve for operators and requires trained setup personnel
Table format (5x20 feet minimum) means the Spirit II is sized for large-format plate operations; it is not appropriate for job shops with small table needs or limited floor space

Best For

Structural steel fabricators, bridge builders, and heavy construction equipment manufacturers who bevel-cut high volumes of plate and need to eliminate secondary grinding and manual beveling operations Shipbuilding and offshore fabrication operations requiring automated V, Y, and K groove weld prep on heavy carbon steel plate up to 80 mm Shops already in the Lincoln Electric ecosystem (welding systems, Vision CNC controls) seeking to integrate plasma bevel cutting into an existing Lincoln-controlled production environment Operations with complex structural shapes requiring compound bevel programming — variable-angle weld prep along curved or angled perimeters — that simpler bevel systems cannot program accurately

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What bevel profiles can the Spirit II cut?

The Spirit II supports V-groove (single bevel), Y-groove (bevel with root face), X-groove (double V bevel from both sides), K-groove (double Y bevel), and compound bevels where the bevel angle varies continuously along the cut path. These profiles cover the full range of structural weld preparation requirements per AWS D1.1 and equivalent international welding standards.

02 How does the Spirit II's bevel accuracy compare to manual beveling?

The Spirit II produces bevel angles accurate to ±0.5 degrees and root face dimensions accurate to ±0.5 mm under controlled conditions. Manual oxy-fuel or plasma bevel grinding is typically ±2–3 degrees and significantly more variable, requiring more post-bevel fitting. The Spirit II's consistency reduces fit-up time at the welding station, which is often where the productivity payback is most clearly measured.

03 What plasma power supply is integrated in the Spirit II?

The Spirit II uses Lincoln Electric's Bevel II high-definition plasma power supply, rated at up to 400 amps. The Bevel II includes automatic multi-gas management for oxygen (mild steel), nitrogen (stainless and aluminum), and shield gas selection. The power supply is designed specifically for bevel cutting applications and includes process parameters optimized for consistent bevel face quality.

04 Can the Spirit II be integrated into an automated welding line?

Yes. Lincoln Electric offers integration packages that connect the Spirit II's CNC control with upstream part tracking and downstream welding robots or semi-automatic welding stations. The Vision CNC control supports standard data interfaces for MES and ERP systems. Shops building automated fabrication cells where laser cutting, plasma bevel cutting, and robotic welding are sequenced by a production management system have successfully integrated Spirit II systems.

05 How does the Lincoln Electric Spirit II compare to the ESAB m3 Plasma for bevel cutting?

Both are high-definition multi-process plasma systems with bevel cutting capability. The Spirit II is more specifically engineered as a dedicated bevel system — the bevel carriage, bevel process database, and BevelCut software are designed around bevel as the primary use case. The ESAB m3 Plasma with optional bevel head is a general-purpose system that also bevels well. For shops where bevel cutting is the primary application rather than a supplementary one, the Spirit II's tighter bevel process integration is a meaningful advantage.