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If you fabricate metal in New Zealand and are ready to move from manual to automated cutting, two machines sit at the top of the workshop-level shortlist: the Strata Workshop Series WS66 and the WS1212. Both are proper CNC plasma-cutting tables, both are stocked here in New Zealand, and both are supported locally by Proline Industrial. The WS66 is the compact 600 × 600 mm option, built for tight spaces, small-batch runs, and repair work. The WS1212 is the large-format 1200 × 1200 mm table built for structural parts, larger panels, and steadier production volume.

Rather than list features and leave you to guess, this guide gives a straight recommendation. You will see what to evaluate before you buy, an honest read on where each table performs and where it stops, and a direct comparison so you can self-select with confidence. We also cover the plasma cutter you need to complete the setup and the real fabrication jobs these tables handle around the country, from signage and brackets through to structural steel and farm equipment parts.

What Makes a CNC Plasma Cutting Table with Torch Height Control Top Rated?

Plenty of tables look similar in a photo. What separates a genuinely capable machine from a frustrating one comes down to a short list of signals to check before you spend a cent, including the total cost, not just the purchase price.

Cutting accuracy and repeatability. A CNC cutter earns its place by producing the same part, to the same tolerance, hundreds of times over. Quality workshop tables driven by rack-and-pinion motion typically maintain positional accuracy to within a fraction of a millimetre, though your finished edge always depends on travel speed, consumable condition, and how well the plasma is dialled in.

Bed size and usable cutting area. The number on the box is the frame size. What matters is the usable cutting area inside it, because that is the largest part you can nest and cut in a single pass.

Build quality and frame rigidity. Plasma cutting is fast, and the gantry moves quickly. A rigid, well-braced frame keeps the torch steady, which is what keeps your lines crisp and your holes round.

Controller ease of use. A standalone controller that reads standard cut files without a tangle of extra computers shortens the gap between drawing a part and cutting it.

Plasma cutter compatibility. The table is the motion system. It still needs a CNC-ready plasma source matched to the thickness you cut.

Availability and local support. A table stuck on a container overseas cuts nothing. Local stock, local parts, and local support protect uptime, help a machine last for 20 years, and reduce ownership costs.

CNC plasma cutting is generally more cost-effective than laser and waterjet systems for fabrication work, especially once support and consumables are factored in.

Those criteria map directly onto the questions fabricators ask us most often. Here is the short version before we profile each table. Prices vary significantly depending on the machine type and the support it offers. Regular maintenance is still required to keep any CNC plasma table performing accurately over time.

Strata Workshop Series WS66: 600 × 600 mm Cutting Table

The WS66 is the compact member of the range. With a 600 × 600 mm working area, it is designed for workshops and fabrication bays that need accurate, repeatable CNC cutting without sacrificing a large floor footprint. It pairs automatic torch height control with a standalone CNC controller, so the torch keeps a consistent standoff across the plate, and you can run cut files without building a separate computer station.

What it cuts well: smaller components where precision and repeatability matter more than sheer size. Think signage and lettering, mounting brackets, gussets, flanges, gasket blanks, decorative panels and one-off repair parts.

Who it suits: smaller workshops, sign makers, maintenance teams and fabricators taking their first considered step into CNC cutting. If your typical part fits comfortably inside a 600 mm square, the WS66 removes the manual marking out and freehand cutting that eats time and introduces error.

Where it stops: it is honestly a compact table. If you routinely process full sheet or long structural sections, you will spend time repositioning material, and that repositioning is where a larger bed earns its keep. Bought for the right work, though, the WS66 is an efficient, tidy and genuinely productive machine.

Strata Workshop Series WS1212: 1200 × 1200 mm Cutting Table

The WS1212 steps up to a 1200 × 1200 mm working area, and the extra capacity changes what the table is for. It is a large-format plasma-cutting solution built for workshops that need to cut larger sheets accurately and maintain a steadier flow of work. A bigger table also improves throughput by letting you nest more parts from one sheet with minimal material waste, and it gives you more flexibility when working with full sheets. Alongside integrated torch height control, it adds a waterbed system, which helps contain dross and fume and supports cleaner, more consistent results across a production shift.

CNC plasma cutting can also run at speeds up to 300 inches per minute, which matters when the table is used for regular production.

What it cuts well: structural brackets and base plates, larger panels, machine guards, trailer and truck components, and multiple smaller parts nested onto a single sheet for efficient batch cutting, across material thicknesses ranging from thin sheets to thick plates.

Who it suits: established fabrication businesses and busier workshops running regular production cutting rather than occasional jobs. If cutting is a core part of how you make money each week, the larger bed and the waterbed system pay back through increased throughput and a cleaner working environment.

Compared with the WS66, the WS1212 is less about tight spaces and more about capacity and volume. It requires more floor space and a higher initial outlay, and in return, it handles work that the smaller table simply cannot handle. For a shop that has outgrown manual cutting, it is the more future-ready choice.

WS66 vs WS1212: Which Is Right for Your Workshop?

Here is the direct comparison. The right table is the one that matches the parts you actually cut, not the one with the largest number.

Choosing between them is genuinely straightforward. If most of your work is signage, lettering, brackets and smaller components, and floor space is tight, the WS66 is the right buy. You get accurate, repeatable CNC cutting without paying for capacity you will not use. If you are a structural steel shop or any fabricator cutting larger sheets and running regular production, the WS1212 is the one. The larger bed and waterbed system are not luxuries at that volume; they are what keep the work flowing and the finish clean. When in doubt, remember that a larger table also comes at a higher price, so size up only if your parts or volume genuinely justify the extra capacity.

Compatible Plasma Cutters for the WS Series

A CNC plasma cutting table is the motion system. It still needs a plasma cutter as the actual cutting source, and the two have to be matched. Look for a CNC-ready plasma unit that offers a machine torch and a CNC interface so the CNC control software can communicate cleanly with the table hardware, torch height control, and plasma source for reliable operation. As part of the setup, you may also need power and air provision for the plasma cutter and an air compressor.

The thickness you cut sets the amperage you need. Outlet requirements vary by machine, with some CNC plasma systems using a 120V/20 amp outlet, while a well-specified single-phase option, such as the Strata AdvanceCut60, is a sensible reference point: it is a 60 amp inverter unit that runs on standard 230 volt single phase power, produces a clean production cut in carbon steel up to around 20 mm, and is built CNC-ready. Machines such as the Hypertherm Powermax65 cut up to 20 mm in mild steel, which is the kind of capacity buyers should compare. For heavier or higher-volume work, larger three-phase machines further increase capacity.

If you already own a plasma cutter, it may pair with the table, provided it is CNC compatible with the right torch and interface. If it is a purely handheld unit without that capability, budget for a matched machine so the setup performs as intended. You can compare current CNC-ready options on the Proline plasma cutters category page, and the team can advise on the right pairing for your material and volume. Lower consumable costs than laser systems are one reason CNC plasma remains attractive for thicker plate work.

CNC Plasma Cutting Applications in NZ Sheet Metal Fabrication

These tables are not abstract. Around New Zealand, they earn their keep on everyday fabrication work. The process uses a high-temperature plasma arc to melt steel and expel molten material, which is why it cuts conductive material quickly.

Signage and lettering: sign makers cut crisp letters, logos and decorative panels from sheet metal with repeatable edges that need little finishing, including intricate profiles with curves and holes.

Structural steel components: fabricators produce base plates, cleats, gussets, and brackets to consistent tolerances, which speeds up downstream welding and assembly.

Agricultural equipment parts: rural workshops cut and replace implement components, guards, mounting plates and repair parts, often faster than sourcing them in.

Automotive panel work: panel and restoration shops use this tool to fabricate automotive parts, cutting brackets, mounts, and custom panels for repairs, modifications, and one-off builds.

Architectural metalwork: balustrades, screens, planters and feature panels come off the table as clean, repeatable parts ready for finishing.

Plasma cutting is generally faster than routing and oxyfuel for many fabrication jobs. The common thread is repeatability. Once a part is drawn and nested, a CNC plasma cutter reproduces it exactly, again and again, without the manual marking out and freehand error that slows a workshop down, provided the workpiece is electrically conductive. For a fabricator cutting the same parts week after week, that consistency is where the machine pays for itself.

Why Buy from Proline?

Both tables are stocked in New Zealand, so there is no import wait and no need to ship a large machine across the world before you can cut. That alone is a real advantage when a job is booked, and the material is already on the floor.

Beyond stock, Proline Industrial is the local supplier, which means faster delivery, New Zealand-based support and ready access to compatible plasma cutters, consumables and accessories through one channel. As a distributor for established plasma brands, including Strata, the team can help you match the table to the right cutting source for your material and volume, advise on optional add-ons and accessories when a workshop is moving from light work into more production-focused CNC plasma cutting, and keep you supplied with the parts that keep it running. It is also worth comparing Proline with other suppliers on support depth, parts availability and system matching, not just the upfront price. For a workshop investing in its first CNC plasma cutting table, buying local is simply the lower-risk path.

Choosing a CNC cutting table comes down to three decisions. First, the working area you need depends on the material you cut most often. Second, the plasma cutter output required for your typical material thickness. Third, the software and controller that suit the people who will actually run the machine. Get those three right and the rest of the specification sheet largely falls into place.

For New Zealand fabricators, the timing is good. CNC plasma cutting used to sit firmly in the territory of large manufacturers, but compact workshop tables have brought automated profile cutting within reach of small and medium fabrication businesses across structural steel, signage, automotive, agricultural equipment manufacturing, and general engineering.

This guide works through each decision in order, using the two locally stocked options, the Strata Workshop Series WS66 and WS1212, as reference points. Both are held in New Zealand stock, so there are no long import lead times to plan around.

What Is a CNC Plasma Cutting Table?

A CNC plasma cutting table is a motion system that moves a plasma torch across a cutting bed under computer control. Three parts work together. The plasma cutter is the power source that generates the cutting arc. The CNC controller reads your cutting file and converts it into precise torch movements. The table bed supports the material and carries the gantry that moves the torch on the X and Y axes. The Workpiece must be electrically conductive to complete the circuit, so these systems commonly cut metals such as steel and aluminium. This type of CNC plasma cutting is mainly for 2D profile cutting rather than complex 3D machining.

If you already use a handheld plasma cutter, think of the table as a replacement for your hand. Instead of following a scribed line by eye, the machine follows a digital drawing with a movement accuracy measured in fractions of a millimetre, and it repeats the same part identically all day. The plasma source still does the cutting. The table simply does the steering, which is why the two are usually sold separately.

Key Factors When Choosing a CNC Cutting Table

Work through these six questions before comparing brands or prices.

What is your working area versus your material size? The cutting area, not the overall footprint, determines the largest part you can profile in one setup. Measure the sheets and offcuts you process most weeks and buy for those, not for one oversized job a year.

What thickness do you cut, and can your plasma cutter handle it? The table itself has a plate-capacity rating, and the plasma source has a production-cut rating. Both need to cover your regular thickness. Sizing to your everyday work rather than your occasional maximum helps reduce burn, extends consumable life, and improves finished cut quality. Modern CNC plasma systems also produce cleaner cuts that need less finishing.

Can your operators use the software? A machine your team avoids is an expensive bench. Look for a controller and CNC control software that accepts standard DXF files and runs jobs without a CAD specialist on staff.

Does it have automatic torch height control? Sheet metal is rarely perfectly flat. Torch height control, usually shortened to THC, keeps the torch at a consistent distance from the plate as it moves, which protects cut quality and consumables on uneven or warped material.

Water table or downdraft? A waterbed sits beneath the cutting grid and captures sparks, dross, and a large share of the fume while drawing heat away from the plate to reduce distortion and help protect the plate and nearby hardware from excess heat and debris. Downdraft tables use extraction fans instead. For most New Zealand workshops, a water table is the simpler and cheaper choice because it needs no ducting or extraction plant.

Is the frame rigid enough? Cutting accuracy depends on the gantry holding its geometry at speed, which is where rigidity and precision matter most. A heavy steel frame with a proper drive system, whether lead screw or rack-and-pinion, matters more to finished-part quality than any software feature, and pricing often reflects the machine's support infrastructure and longevity.

What Cutting Table Size Do You Need?

For most workshop buyers, the choice is between a compact table around 600 x 600 mm and a larger format around 1200 x 1200 mm. At the entry level, hobbyist CNC plasma tables in NZ can start around $5,000, usually in compact formats aimed at lighter, occasional work.

A compact table suits signage work, brackets, gussets, cleats, machinery guards, and smaller fabrication components. If your work arrives as offcuts and part sheets rather than full plates, a machine in this class covers a surprising share of everyday jobs. For comparison, the CrossFire CNC Plasma Table has a 25.3" x 23.3" cutting area, which shows how compact some entry-level tables can be. The Strata WS66 is the option here, with a 610 x 610 mm cutting area and a footprint small enough for a fabrication bay, a maintenance workshop, or a mobile repair operation.

A larger-format table suits structural components, panels, agricultural equipment parts, and higher-volume cutting, where nesting many parts on one sheet saves real time. The Strata WS1212 handles sheets up to 1220 x 1220 mm, which means a quarter of a standard plate can be loaded and nested without resizing. A bigger table also lets you handle larger standard plates without repositioning, provided your shop has the floor space and the budget for it. For a general engineering shop in New Zealand, cutting brackets one day and trailer components the next, that flexibility is usually worth the extra floor space.

A practical rule: list your last fifty cutting jobs and note the largest dimension of each. If more than a handful exceeded 600 mm, buy the larger table.

Matching Your Plasma Cutter to Your CNC Table

This is the question sales teams hear most often: Does the plasma cutter come with the table? With the Workshop Series, the answer is no, and that is deliberate. The table is the motion system; you pair it with one of several plasma cutters as the separate power source, including options from the Proline plasma cutter range, which lets you choose an output that matches your materials, or connect a suitable machine you already own.

When pairing the two, check three things. The plasma cutter should have a CNC interface so the controller can fire and stop the arc. Different CNC plasma cutters suit different thickness ranges, and CNC plasma cutting is broadly effective from about 3 mm to 80 mm, depending on the power source. It should accept a machine torch, which mounts to the gantry in place of a hand torch. And its production-cut capacity should comfortably cover your regular thickness, because a machine running at its limit all day produces more dross and wears parts faster.

The Strata AdvanceCut60 is a good reference point for the Workshop Series tables. It is a 60-amp inverter unit that runs on a standard 230 V single-phase supply, offers CNC interface compatibility, and is rated for a 20 mm production cut on carbon steel, well above the sheet thicknesses these tables process. Hypertherm Powermax units are also commonly chosen for light to medium-duty work. That CNC interface is what allows the controller to fire the torch and start cutting automatically.

Software, Controller, and Torch Height Control: What to Look For

The controller is the part of a CNC plasma cutter table that operators touch every day, so the controller and software need to work like a reliable day-to-day production tool, with plain usability mattering more than a long feature list.

Both Strata tables use a standalone CNC controller with USB input, so no dedicated laptop is needed. An operator draws or downloads a part as a DXF file, prepares it in the included FLCam software, saves it to a USB stick, and loads it at the controller. Other market options include Mach3 and FireControl, with FireControl used on CrossFire machines. DXF is the common exchange format that nearly every CAD and drawing package can export, so your existing drawings will almost certainly transfer without rework. Inkscape can create DXF files, and Autodesk Fusion 360 is free for personal and educational use.

For teams without a CAD background, the workflow is genuinely learnable in days rather than months. Even if a design starts on paper, it still needs to be converted into a digital drawing before cutting. Preparing a cut file is closer to setting up a print job than to drafting, and thousands of free DXF profiles are available online for common shapes and brackets. SheetCAM is commonly used to convert designs into G-code for CNC plasma cutting. Professional nesting software can reduce plate waste when shops move into higher-volume work.

Workshop Series vs Heavy Industrial CNC Tables

Honest positioning helps you buy once and buy right. The Strata Workshop Series sits at the workshop-and-light-industrial end of the market. Both tables are specified for plates up to 6 mm thick, with movement accuracy of ±0.2 mm and cutting accuracy of ±0.5 mm. That comfortably covers signage, brackets, guards, sheet-metal components, repair work, prototypes, and small-batch production. For that kind of occasional workshop use, hobby-style machines are fine, but they are not built for continuous production.

What the Workshop Series is not is a production line machine. If your bread and butter is a 10 mm or 12 mm structural plate, or you need a full 1500 x 3000 mm sheet on the bed and multiple cutting shifts, you should be looking at the larger industrial tables that Proline also stocks in its CNC tables and robotics range. In hard use, hobbyist tables may last about a year, while production-grade CNC plasma systems can last up to 20 years with proper support and maintenance. That is also why choosing the right manufacturer matters: OEM specialists typically provide better service than general machinery resellers, suppliers, or other suppliers. Self-selecting to the right tier now costs nothing; outgrowing an undersized machine in a year costs plenty.

Strata Workshop Series CNC Cutting Tables: WS66 and WS1212

Both models are new arrivals from Proline Industrial, held in New Zealand stock with free shipping, so a workshop that needs cutting capability within the month is not waiting on a container.

The WS66 is the compact option for tight spaces. It combines a lead screw drive for smooth, precise movement along detailed profiles with an integrated 39.4-litre waterbed and locking castors, so it can be repositioned or stored between jobs. It suits maintenance teams, repair businesses, signage makers, and fabricators adding their first CNC cutter. Many entry-level buyers purchase the table first and add compatible accessories or plasma sources later.

The WS1212 is the larger format machine for fabrication shops and light industrial production. Its rack-and-pinion drive carries the torch across the full 1220 x 1220 mm sheet capacity, and the 125-litre waterbed keeps heat distortion under control on larger panels. It suits general engineering shops, agricultural equipment manufacturers, and businesses that cut regular small batches, where future upgrades or add-ons matter more as output expands.

If you would like help confirming the right combination, the Proline team can talk through your typical jobs and recommend a complete setup.