Messer Cutting Systems CNC Plasma Cutting

Messer Element 400

Specs verified 2026-10-05 · us.messer-cutting.com Updated 2026-10-05

Image: us.messer-cutting.com, Messer Cutting Systems

Key Specifications

Accuracy

+/- 0.010 in (0.25 mm) (compensated machine motion in 72 in (1,829 mm), measured with a laser interferometer)

Repeatability

0.010 in (0.25 mm)

cutting width

6 ft to 16 ft (1.8 m to 4.9 m)

cutting length

Up to 150 ft (45.7 m)

material thickness

26 ga. to 8 in (203 mm) thick plate

materials

Mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum

How much does the Messer Element 400 cost?

Price estimate

Uncertain

We do not have a price for the Messer Element 400 that we can stand behind, so we show no number. Configuration, options and installation move the final price a long way: a quote is the reliable figure.

Overview

The Messer Element 400 is a rail gantry for plasma and oxyfuel plate cutting that the maker configures by beam size. Cutting widths run from 6 ft to 16 ft (1.8 m to 4.9 m) and cutting length goes up to 150 ft (45.7 m). It cuts material from 26 ga. to 8 in (203 mm) thick in mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum.

Five beams are listed, 3700 through 6400, and the beam sets the installation. Beam 3700 takes a table up to 9 ft 2 in (2,794 mm) wide and needs 18 ft 8 in (5,690 mm) of overall machine clearance; Beam 6400 takes a table up to 18 ft (5,486 mm) and needs 27 ft 6 in (8,382 mm). The working width of the machine is always well beyond the table, which is where torches park.

Up to six torch stations fit the beam, of which two at most can be plasma, and up to three stations cover the full rated cutting width. The stations are independent servo driven tools, and automatic spacing with programmable torch selection is an option. For weld preparation Messer offers two plasma bevel units, the robotic-style Bevel-R and the skew-axis Bevel-S, both to +/- 45° with I, A, V, Y, X and K weld profiles.

Machine motion accuracy is +/- 0.010 in (0.25 mm) with 0.010 in (0.25 mm) repeatability, stated as compensated machine motion in 72 in (1,829 mm) and measured with a laser interferometer. Contouring speed is up to 400 ipm (10.2 m/min) and the acceleration rate is 0.06 g. The brochure gives two different positioning speeds on different pages, so none is listed here. The control is the Windows based Global Connect on a console that mounts on either side.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Cutting Width	6 ft to 16 ft (1.8 m to 4.9 m)
Cutting Length	Up to 150 ft (45.7 m)
Material Thickness	26 ga. to 8 in (203 mm) thick plate
Materials	Mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum
Positioning Accuracy	+/- 0.010 in (0.25 mm) (compensated machine motion in 72 in (1,829 mm), measured with a laser interferometer)
Repeatability	0.010 in (0.25 mm)
Contouring Speed	Up to 400 ipm (10.2 m/min)
Acceleration	0.06 g
Torch Stations	Up to six torch stations (maximum two plasma stations)
Full Width Coverage	Up to three torch stations cover the full rated cutting width
Bevel Angle	+/- 45° (optional Bevel-R or Bevel-S plasma bevel unit)
CNC Control	Global Connect, Windows based
Max Table Width	Beam 3700: 9 ft 2 in (2,794 mm); Beam 4400: 11 ft 6 in (3,505 mm); Beam 5000: 13 ft 6 in (4,115 mm); Beam 5400: 14 ft 9 in (4,496 mm); Beam 6400: 18 ft (5,486 mm)
Machine Rail Gauge	Beam 3700: 10 ft 10 in (3,302 mm); Beam 4400: 13 ft 1 1/2 in (4,001 mm); Beam 5000: 15 ft 1 in (4,597 mm); Beam 5400: 16 ft 4 3/4 in (4,997 mm); Beam 6400: 19 ft 8 1/4 in (6,001 mm)
Machine Working Width	Beam 3700: 15 ft 8 in (4,775 mm); Beam 4400: 18 ft (5,486 mm); Beam 5000: 20 ft (6,096 mm); Beam 5400: 21 ft 4 in (6,502 mm); Beam 6400: 24 ft 6 in (7,468 mm)
Overall Machine Clearance	Beam 3700: 18 ft 8 in (5,690 mm); Beam 4400: 21 ft (6,401 mm); Beam 5000: 23 ft (7,010 mm); Beam 5400: 24 ft 4 in (7,417 mm); Beam 6400: 27 ft 6 in (8,382 mm)
Standards	Designed and manufactured in the USA to machine tool and ISO 230-2 standards; UL/CUL

Specifications sourced from us.messer-cutting.com — verified 2026-10-05

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Cutting widths from 6 ft to 16 ft (1.8 m to 4.9 m) and lengths up to 150 ft (45.7 m)
Up to six torch stations, with as many as two plasma stations
Stated accuracy of +/- 0.010 in (0.25 mm) with 0.010 in (0.25 mm) repeatability, measured with a laser interferometer
Two optional plasma bevel units, Bevel-R and Bevel-S, to +/- 45°
Enclosed powertrack in both axes is standard

Limitations

Only two of the six torch stations can be plasma
Full rated cutting width is covered by three torch stations at most
Overall machine clearance is 18 ft 8 in (5,690 mm) even on the smallest beam
Bevel units, markers, light curtains and automatic plate alignment are all options
The brochure's two positioning speed figures do not agree

Best For

Plate shops that need plasma and multi-torch oxyfuel on one gantry Plasma weld-preparation bevels with I, A, V, Y, X and K profiles Long tables, up to 150 ft of cutting length Plate from 26 ga. sheet to 8 in oxyfuel work

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How wide and long can the Element 400 be built?

Cutting widths are 6 ft to 16 ft (1.8 m to 4.9 m) and cutting length is up to 150 ft (45.7 m). The gantry comes on five beams. Maximum table width is 9 ft 2 in (2,794 mm) on Beam 3700, 11 ft 6 in (3,505 mm) on Beam 4400, 13 ft 6 in (4,115 mm) on Beam 5000, 14 ft 9 in (4,496 mm) on Beam 5400 and 18 ft (5,486 mm) on Beam 6400.

02 How many torches does the Element 400 carry?

Up to six torch stations, with a maximum of two plasma stations. Up to three torch stations will cover the full rated cutting width. Oxyfuel torches are the Turbo Flame or the ALFA, and automatic torch spacing with programmable torch selection is an option.

03 How accurate is the Element 400?

Messer states machine motion accuracy of +/- 0.010 in (0.25 mm) and repeatability of 0.010 in (0.25 mm), as compensated machine motion in 72 in (1,829 mm), measured with a laser interferometer. Machined mating surfaces and bores hold critical tolerances of 0.002 in, and the machine is built to ISO 230-2 standards.

04 Can the Element 400 cut bevels?

Yes, with an optional plasma bevel unit. The Bevel-R is a compact robotic-style unit and the Bevel-S a skew-axis design that tilts the torch without moving the whole machine. Both give +/- 45° bevel angles and I, A, V, Y, X and K weld profiles, with the angle interpolated while cutting.

05 How much floor space does an Element 400 need?

Width is set by the beam. Overall machine clearance is 18 ft 8 in (5,690 mm) for Beam 3700, 21 ft (6,401 mm) for Beam 4400, 23 ft (7,010 mm) for Beam 5000, 24 ft 4 in (7,417 mm) for Beam 5400 and 27 ft 6 in (8,382 mm) for Beam 6400. Length follows the rail, up to 150 ft (45.7 m) of cutting length.