Since 2004, our PractiCAM software has been selected by ESAB as the sheet metal software system of choice, worldwide, and our engineers and developers have been working closely with ESAB specialists to develop additional system features fully utilizing the advanced capabilities of  ESAB equipment and controllers.

MetaLab is proud to offer you a full range of  ESAB plasma, oxy-fuel and waterjet cutters, together with PractiCAM, in seamlessly integrated, cost-effective manufacturing systems.

This page features Piecemaker 2, Piecemaker Plus, Shadow 2, Acer, and Acer 2 cutting machines from ESAB.



The Piecemaker 2 is a rugged, high-speed gantry designed for high production plasma cutting operations, including HVAC. It features a delta-brace design, and is built from thick-walled box tube sections, making it extremely rugged, with high-stiffness for excellent machine dynamics.

Utilizing precision planetary gearbox drives and high speed motors, cutting speeds can exceed 500 ipm (12700 mm/min), with a maximum traversing speed of 750 ipm (19050 mm/min).

The Piecemaker 2 includes a modular air-exhaust cutting table with square grid sections, either 5x5 ft or 6x6 ft. These sections can be rotated 90° to allow either side loading or end loading.

The Piecemaker 2 comes with a standard 16 ft (4877 mm) long rail, for a cutting area of 5x10 ft (1524x3048 mm) on the 5 ft wide machine, or 6x12 ft (1828x3657 mm) on the 6 ft wide machine.

Rail extensions are available in either 9 ft (2743 mm) or 16 ft (4877 mm) lengths, yeilding cutting areas of 5x20 ft (1524x6096 mm) or 6x24 ft (1828x7314 mm).
The Vision LE Computer Numerical Controller provides many user-friendly features that make the Piecemaker 2 ideal for mechanized shape cutting or HVAC cutting.

The Piecemaker 2 can carry 1 plasma torch, capable of cutting up to 5/8 in (15 mm) metal using standard plasma source ESP-50 (larger plasma sources are available). In addition, it can be equipped with an optional air-scribe marker tool for plate marking, or an optional waterjet cutting head or router for cutting soft materials such as insulation. Arc voltage height control (AVHC) is also available for the plasma station.

ESAB Piecemaker 2 data sheet (367 KB)
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The Piecemaker Plus is the ideal high performance machine for small to medium size fabricators needing the flexibility and precision of a CNC cutting machine without the cost of a large gantry. Available in three different widths, it can be equipped with the Vision LE or Vision PC computer numerical control, up to 200 A plasma, and up to four oxy-fuel cutting stations. A pneumatic scribe marker is also available. The pedestal mounted rail system allows for full size water or downdraft cutting tables, for cutting up to 3 in (75 mm) thick plate.

The Piecemaker Plus can be equipped with rail lengths of 16 ft, 25 ft, or 32 ft, yielding cutting lengths of 12 ft (3657 mm), 21 ft (6400 mm) or 28 ft (8534 mm).
The Piecemaker Plus uses a delta-brace design, and is built from thick-walled box tube sections, making it extremely rugged, with high-stiffness for excellent machine dynamics. Utilizing precision heavy-duty gearboxes and high speed motors, cutting speeds can exceed 500 ipm (12700 mm/min), with a maximum traversing speed of 750 ipm (19050 mm/min).

ESAB Piecemaker Plus data sheet (330 KB)
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The Shadow 2 provides stability, durability, and the precision only available with an automated gantry cutting machine. The Shadow 2 is a dual side drive gantry for extra stability and excellent machine dynamics. A speed range of 2-750 ipm (51-19050 mm/min) is achieved with AC brushless motors and precision heavy-duty gearboxes. The machine also features rack & pinion drives and hardened round-rails in the cross axis and master rail for smooth, accurate motion.

The Shadow 2 is available with rail lengths up to 90 ft (27 m) in increments of 15 ft (4572 mm), and uses a short 3 ft (914 mm) of rail for parking.

The Shadow 2 can carry 1 plasma torch and up to 4 oxyfuel torches. Plasma systems from 50 to 400 A can be accommodated. Other process options include a plasma marker or air-scribe marker. An optical tracing eye is also available.
The VisionCNC controller provides a user-friendly graphical interface and easy-to-read display which allows the operator full control over process and program setup. The accurate motion control and flexible process programming available from the Vision CNC controller makes the Shadow 2 ideal for shape-cutting.

ESAB Shadow 2 data sheet (880 KB)
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The Acer is right-on-the-money, offering a high-speed, precision gantry at an affordable price. A stiff, delta-braced gantry is driven by AC brushless motors, digital amplifiers, and precision heavy-duty gearboxes, resulting in excellent contouring performance and superb accuracy.

Designed around ESAB’s Precision Plasma system, the Acer features a fast 500 ipm vertical lift speed for reduced cycle time. ESAB’s exclusive Soft-Touch OMNI provides accurate initial height sensing and crash protection for increased consumable life and reduced maintenance. And Electrical Soft-Touch with Encoder Height Control means better accuracy and improved hole performance.

The Acer is available with ESAB’s Vision LE or Vision PC CNC, and ESAB’s 100 A Precision Plasmarc cutting package. The cradle-mounted rail system enhances structual integrity, makes for easy installation, and supports the air exhaust cutting table. Both 16 ft (4876 mm) and 32 ft (9754 mm) rail systems are available, providing cutting lengths of 12 ft (3657 mm) or 24 ft (7315 mm).

The 100 A Precision Plasma not only gives you an excellent cut quality on carbon, aluminum and stainless steel, but also permits ESAB’s patented plasma marking with the same torch used for cutting when the optional Electronic Flow Control and Vision PC are used.

Plasma marking is a non-contact marking system that provides the greatest versatility of any marking method. This eliminates the cost of a second station dedicated for marking, and further enhances accuracy by eliminating tool offsets since the marking tool is the same tool that cuts. This also speeds cycle times by eliminating machine motion between tool offsets as other manufacturers are required to do.

ESAB Acer data sheet (550 KB)
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With the Acer 2, ESAB Cutting Systems has developed a revolutionary machine tool that takes advantage of the latest developments in Precision Plasma to cut parts close to laser quality at a fraction of the cost.

The Acer 2 is a unitized structure, high-speed dual side drive precision gantry. By building the machine, rails, and integrated table into a single unit, we insure dimensional accuracy and drive performance. The unitized rail system also allows for quick and easy installation.

Precision linear guide rail, digital drive amplifiers, high-speed AC Motors, and precision heavy-duty gear boxes combine to make a machine that is accurate and durable. Since ESAB produces all of the major components we can offer systems that provide greater automation and ease of use.

The Acer 2 features a fast 500 ipm vertical lift speed with Arc Voltage Height Control accurate to within .005 in. ESAB’s exclusive Soft-Touch OMNI provides accurate initial height sensing and crash protection for increased consumable life and reduced maintenance. And Electrical Soft-Touch with Encoder Height Control means better accuracy and improved hole performance.
ESAB’s integrated Electronic Flow Control and Vision PC control provide the easiest way to cut quality parts with minimum operator training, and also permit ESAB’s patented plasma marking with the same torch used for cutting. Plasma marking is a non-contact marking system that provides the greatest versatility of any marking process. This eliminates the cost of a second station dedicated for marking, enhances accuracy, and reduces cycle time by eliminating tool offsets.

The Acer 2 is available with the 100 or 200 A Precision Plasmarc cutting packages, and come standard with an air exhaust cutting table. Rail lengths of 16 ft (4876 mm) or 32 ft (9754 mm) provide cutting lengths of 12 ft (3657 mm) or 24 ft (7315 mm).

ESAB Acer 2 data sheet (637 KB)
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For more information about ESAB equipment, please visit ESAB Web site.