Abstract: A plate working machine comprising a metal plate supporting table (1), a pair of rails (2, 3) extending along the sides of the table (1), a driven support means (4) for travel along the rails (2, 3), said support means comprising a spaced pair of support beams (5, 6) extending from one rail (2) to the other (3) and joined at either end by cross members (7, 8). A drilling assembly (9) is mounted on tracks (10, 11) mounted on the beams (5, 6) and a plasma profiling head (12) is carried by the drilling assembly (9) and extends over the beam (6) and downwardly towards a position adjacent the table (1).