Machitech Gantry Plasma
Key Specifications
Accuracy
gantry width
table length
plasma supply options
max cut thickness plasma
torch configurations
Overview
The Machitech Gantry Plasma is a heavy-duty CNC plasma cutting system built for industrial structural fabrication, shipbuilding, and large-format plate processing where table rigidity, cutting width, and plasma power are primary requirements. Machitech Automation, a Quebec-based manufacturer with a strong presence in North American heavy industry, engineers the Gantry Plasma around a welded structural steel gantry frame with precision machined ways and dual-side servo drive systems capable of maintaining accuracy across table widths from 4 feet to 20 feet and lengths from 12 feet to over 100 feet.
The Gantry Plasma accepts high-definition plasma power supplies from Hypertherm (XPR300, HPR400XD) and ESAB (m3 Plasma), giving customers flexibility in power supply selection based on amperage requirements and consumable preference. The system is commonly specified with Hypertherm's HPR400XD for shipbuilding applications, where 80 mm carbon steel plate cutting at sustained production rates is the operating norm. Bevel cutting heads with ±45 degree capability are standard options for weld prep automation on structural components.
A distinguishing feature of Machitech's Gantry Plasma is its application in shipbuilding production lines, where multiple torches — typically two to four — are mounted on the same gantry for simultaneous multi-part cutting across wide plate. Multi-torch configurations significantly increase throughput on large flat panel work, which is a defining characteristic of shipyard steel cutting. Machitech also designs the gantry to accommodate mixed torch configurations: plasma torches combined with oxy-fuel cutting heads on the same bridge for shops that cut both thin plate (plasma) and very thick plate or structural shapes (oxy-fuel) in the same operation.
Machitech's CNC control uses a Windows-based interface with integrated SigmaNEST or ProNEST nesting capability, depending on customer preference. The control supports DXF import, process recipe libraries, and remote diagnostics. Total installed cost for a Machitech Gantry Plasma system ranges from $400,000 for a single-torch 8x24 foot configuration to $2,000,000+ for multi-torch, multi-process shipyard production line installations.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Gantry Width | 1,200–6,000 mm (4–20 ft, customer specified) |
| Table Length | 3,600 mm to 30,000+ mm (12–100+ ft) |
| Plasma Supply Options | Hypertherm XPR300, HPR400XD, ESAB m3 Plasma |
| Max Cut Thickness Plasma | 80 mm mild steel (HPR400XD configuration) |
| Torch Configurations | Single to 4 torches; mixed plasma/oxy-fuel configurations |
| Bevel Capability | ±45 degrees, 5-axis (optional) |
| Drive System | Dual-side servo rack-and-pinion, precision machined ways |
| Positioning Accuracy | ±0.15 mm |
| Max Travel Speed | 15,000 mm/min |
| Cnc Control | Windows-based Machitech control |
| Nesting Software | SigmaNEST or ProNEST (customer choice) |
| Structure | Welded structural steel, precision machined |
| Manufacturer | Lockformer |
| Model | PT-22 |
Specifications sourced from machinio.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Heavy-duty welded steel gantry withstands the vibration and thermal stress of sustained multi-torch plasma cutting in shipbuilding and heavy structural applications
- Multi-torch capability (up to 4 plasma torches simultaneously) multiplies throughput on wide plate cutting, which is critical for shipyard panel line production rates
- Mixed plasma and oxy-fuel torch configurations on the same gantry allow a single machine to handle both thin plate (plasma) and very thick plate or structural sections (oxy-fuel)
- Table length scalability from 12 feet to over 100 feet in the same platform family covers everything from fabrication shops to full shipyard panel cutting lines
Limitations
- Capital investment of $400,000 to $2,000,000+ requires extremely high cutting volume to justify — not appropriate for job shops or operations with intermittent heavy plate requirements
- Large physical footprint of a Machitech Gantry Plasma installation requires significant floor space and facility planning, including overhead crane access for plate loading in shipyard configurations
- Machitech's service network, while strong in Quebec and Eastern Canada, is less dense than Hypertherm's or ESAB's in certain US regions — service response time should be confirmed before purchase
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Shipbuilding requires cutting wide plate (often 3–6 meters) in very long runs (12–30 meters or more), frequently with multiple torches cutting in parallel for throughput. The Machitech Gantry's heavy frame handles the width and length, the dual-side drive system maintains accuracy across the full span, and the multi-torch capability allows simultaneous cutting of multiple panels or profiles in a single pass. Bevel capability enables weld prep as part of the cutting operation.
02
Yes. Machitech designs mixed-torch configurations where plasma torches (for material up to 80 mm) and oxy-fuel cutting heads (for structural plate above 80 mm or for shapes where oxy-fuel is preferred) are mounted on the same gantry. This eliminates the need for separate machines for different material thicknesses and gives operators a single CNC program environment for all cutting processes.
03
Standard configurations support 1 to 4 plasma torches on the gantry bridge. For very wide tables (10 feet and above), dual-torch configurations are most common, with each torch independently controlled for cut start/stop while sharing the gantry motion system. Four-torch configurations are used in shipyard panel line applications.
04
For shipbuilding, where 40–80 mm carbon steel plate is the primary material, Machitech most commonly specifies the Hypertherm HPR400XD for its 400A output and proven track record in heavy marine fabrication. For operations where cut quality on 6–50 mm plate is prioritized and heavy plate (above 65 mm) is not the primary work, the Hypertherm XPR300 is an alternative with better edge quality.
05
Machitech maintains a demonstration and application center at their Quebec facility. Prospective customers can arrange demonstration cuts with their material and geometry before purchase. Machitech also provides application engineering support for specifying the appropriate gantry width, table length, torch count, and plasma supply for a customer's specific production requirements.
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