At Fabtech 2025, Hypertherm Associates showcased a range of plasma and waterjet cutting systems, including the debut of the new generation of OMAX Maxiem X Series JetMachining Centers. They also demonstrated the Hypertherm XPR plasma cutting system and various OMAX waterjet systems, along with production-enhancing software and digital solutions.
In fact, this was the first time their plasma and waterjet products were displayed side-by-side in the same booth to help customers compare the technologies.
"We're very excited with this show because we're launching new products throughout our product lines," said Jake Brown executive vice president of global sales and marketing.
"On the far end," he said, "we have the OMAX Maxien 1530X table which is our newest addition to the water jet lineup for cutting where you need the ultimate and precision and finish that can only be achieved with a water jet piece of equipment so please make sure if you don't see us here at the show that you take a moment to check out the new Maxiem X, which is now available for sale.
"On the Hypotherm end with the plasma, we're showing our 460, which is the leading high definition plasma system in the market. And it is now being offered with new application support for gouging and some other processes for the first time."
And we're , very excited with the quality that customers are starting to see as they're adding this into the up of what they do and the trust that they have for the 460 and the XPR hypotherm product lines.
Hypertherm Associates, a U.S.-based leading manufacturer of industrial cutting systems and software, has announced enhancements coming to its Hypertherm XPR platform by the end of the year, including a new streamlined modern design, featuring IIoT capability, Manual Set-mode, automated gouging capability, Vented Water Injection processes, and improved True Bevel technology for thicker, more precise bevel cuts.
For gouging and flush-cut applications, the Hypertherm Powermax SYNC Series was on display. The company said that the Powermax45 SYNC is the best investment for gouging, cutting and marking applications and features built-in intelligence, a patented single-piece cartridge and up to five times longer consumable life with greater cutting power than its higher-amperage competitors.
The Powermax85 SYNC is Hypertherm Associates’ next-generation professional-grade air plasma cutter that simplifies gouging operations and is recommended for cutting thicknesses up to an inch.
It features an automated system process set-up via advanced RFID-enabled SmartSYNC torches and a revolutionary single-piece cartridge consumable that provides trackable utilization data.
XPR enhancements
The new control board enables Ethernet LAN capability for IIoT connectivity and robust access to the XPR interface tool. It also incorporates MTConnect communication protocol for data exchange between machines and software applications for machine monitoring and process analysis. This capability puts cutting data at the operator’s fingertips and allows remote plasma system monitoring from anywhere in the world.
For straightforward applications that do not require sophisticated integration with a CNC/PLC such as gouging and off-table beveling, XPR now features a Manual Set-mode—perfect for repetitive jobs using the same plasma process. Even after a power cycle, the system remembers the last setup, keeping operations smooth and efficient.
The new XPR gouging capability radically decreases the time needed to get weld-ready parts with wider, deeper, cleaner, and consistent gouge profiles that need little, or no clean-up compared to traditional gouging technologies. Compared to carbon arc or low-amp plasma hand gouging, XPR automated gouging on a robot, cobot, or track-guided motion control reduces labor and increases productivity by speeding up weld-prep for high-precision welding applications. XPR gouges further from the plate, reaching hard to access and tight spaces with an extended arc stretch and higher arc transfer height.
XPR460 boosted capabilities
In addition to these XPR platform enhancements, Hypertherm boosted capabilities for the XPR460 with 460A Nitrogen/Vented Water Injection (VWI) for high-quality cuts with smooth surfaces on thick stainless steel and aluminum. New 460A Y-Top True Bevel capability for thicker mild steel increases accuracy and quality consistency, eliminating machine operator guesswork.
Engineered to meet the diverse needs of metalworkers, the Powermax Series includes a line of seven portable, professional-grade plasma systems that easily and reliably gouge and cut metal up to 1.5'' or 38 mm. In addition to its reliability, Powermax systems deliver versatility to manufacturers by offering extensive manual and automated metal cutting and gouging capabilities.
"Directly behind me," said Brown, "you can see we've got our PowerMax, which continues to be the leading handheld plasma system here. We're continuing to show with the cartridge system, the sync system, which is being adopted throughout the world, but here at the show we're very excited because we're showing a lot of different applications that you can apply this to. "
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Related Glossary Terms
- centers
centers
Cone-shaped pins that support a workpiece by one or two ends during machining. The centers fit into holes drilled in the workpiece ends. Centers that turn with the workpiece are called “live” centers; those that do not are called “dead” centers.
- waterjet cutting
waterjet cutting
Fine, high-pressure (up to 50,000 psi or greater), high-velocity jet of water directed by a small nozzle to cut material. Velocity of the stream can exceed twice the speed of sound. Nozzle opening ranges from between 0.004" to 0.016" (0.l0mm to 0.41mm), producing a very narrow kerf. See AWJ, abrasive waterjet.
