STV CNC SparX PRO 4

The STV CNC SparX PRO 4 is a 4 ft x 4 ft CNC plasma table, the welded-frame version of the SparX, delivered built and ready to level. It is the smallest full-size table in its series: the square cutting envelope takes half of a 4 x 8 sheet at a time, which suits brackets, gussets, signs and one-off repair parts more than long nested runs.

Nothing is bolted together by the owner. The open tubular frame, its leg supports and the pan support beams are welded, and the water table is one welded pan 3 in deep, so there are no silicone joints to leak. STV CNC rates it for 2 in steel plate. The extruded aluminum gantry clears 5.75 in and carries 5.5 in of Z travel on a ball lead screw. Three stepper motors work through a belt-driven 3:1 gear reduction, which STV CNC credits with smoother arcs and circles, and the stated motion accuracy is about 0.002 in per 12 in with a step resolution of plus or minus 0.0005 in. Rack and pinion with linear guides moves both gantry and table, and carriage shields keep splash off the bearings.

Floor space is the argument for this size. Get the outside dimensions confirmed with the order, because the bay has to hold the table plus room to walk around it. The water table holds about 43 gallons, a small enough volume to drain and clean in one go. Sheets have to be sheared or cut down to 4 ft before loading, so the nearest steel supplier's cut-to-size service matters more here than on a 4 x 8 machine.

Out of the box the table runs MyPlasmCNC from a Windows PC the buyer supplies, over USB. That is the same entry-level control as the modular SparX tables. STV CNC sells an upgrade to its Optimum CNC control, which adds a dedicated Linux mini PC, and it is worth pricing that in if nesting and G-code editing matter. A homing kit with 3 proximity sensors, torch height control, a magnetic breakaway, a collision switch and ohmic sensing are standard. The plasma cutter is not included.