Although fiber laser is becoming increasingly popular, CNC plasma remains irreplaceable in several heavy industrial fields.
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding steel plates are often 8–30 mm thick and can reach 3×12 m in size. A 200A plasma system on a 3×8 m table is the most practical solution within the budget of a medium-sized shipyard. Laser can cut these materials, but the machine cost can be 5–8 times higher for the same table size.
Bridge steel structures
Steel beams, gusset plates and bridge flanges often require bevel cutting for weld preparation. Five-axis plasma bevel cutting can process 40 mm steel at angles up to 45° — a task that laser cutting cannot practically perform.
Mining equipment
Buckets, crane arms and crusher housings made from 20–80 mm wear-resistant Hardox steel are much more economical with plasma. Plasma cutting cost can be only 10–15% of an equivalent laser cutting cost for this material.