Right Process, Right Tool: Modern Cutting Selection Meets Portable Machining Innovation

Oxy-fuel and plasma cutting are two of the most widely used thermal cutting processes in metal fabrication, yet each excels under different conditions. This presentation provides practical, side-by-side evaluations of oxy-fuel and plasma cutting to help fabricators select the right process—or combination—for their applications. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how material type, thickness, portability, power availability, cut quality, and overall cost influence process selection.

The session will explore why oxy-fuel remains the preferred solution for cutting thick carbon steel, heating, bending, and field work where electricity may not be available, while plasma cutting offers major advantages in speed, precision, and versatility across thin materials and electrically conductive metals such as stainless steel and aluminum. Real-world examples will demonstrate maximum values and why shops may benefit from having both. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each, manufacturers can improve productivity, reduce rework, and make smarter capital equipment decisions.

The opportunity to advance ourselves and deliver the precision and accuracy achieved in the manufacturing environment to field machining has arrived. We have begun the evolution of portable, remote-controlled CNC machining solutions for Aerospace, Nuclear, In-situ repair, and many more applications. FABTECH 2026 attendees will gain insight into portable equipment advancements and the engineering challenges of developing these CNC systems. Portable Machining for decades has been performed with various tools in rudimentary ways, but now, the industry has started to adopt remotely controlled CNC-operated equipment to implement safety, repeatability, and accuracy. As we further advance this style of portable machinery, we must consider several obstacles, including ease of setup and use, modularity, and portability.