X-Y-Z cutting and gouging with CNC plasma, waterjet, laser, and oxyfuel machines

X-Y-Z cutting and gouging, often called X-Y cutting, is the use of a table equipped with a computer numeric control (CNC) for rapid and precise cutting of flat plate. The CNC moves the torch along the X and Y axes, while a height control regulates the Z, or up and down motion, keeping the torch or cutting head at an optimum distance from the plate.

Though people often think of a CNC plasma, sometimes called a computer plasma cutter, you do not necessarily need to use plasma. Laser, waterjet, and oxyfuel are also suitable processes.

Whether you choose to use a plasma CNC machine or not, these tables are available in a wide range of sizes and prices.

• The smallest use a standard personal computer as the CNC (CNC plasma cutting machine, laser, waterjet, or oxyfuel) and can be as small as 2′ by 2′. How to choose a small CNC plasma cutting table.
• Larger industrial CNC plasma cutting tables (or waterjet, laser, and oxyfuel) can be as long as 100′ and often have multiple torches mounted on one or more gantries for mass production and fabrication.

Typical uses include:

• Plate cutting
• Precision cutting of metal, stone, or foam
• Cutting of parts in large quantities

Process technologies used:

• CNC plasma cutting
• Laser cutting
• Waterjet cutting
• Oxyfuel cutting