Technical guide
Waterjet vs Laser vs Plasma
The honest comparison to choose the cutting technology your workshop needs. No marketing: real technical data, 2026 costs and recommendations by use case.
Choosing between waterjet, fiber laser or plasma cutting is a decision involving 100,000 to 500,000 euros in initial investment and marks the ceiling of your workshop's capabilities for 10-15 years. No salesperson wants to lose the sale, so you rarely hear the complete truth: all three technologies have gaps where they simply do not compete, and others where the real difference is marginal.
In the Lucohe Group we have an unusual position: we offer all three. Lucohe distributes OMAX waterjet since 1993, Herramentalia markets fiber laser and CNC plasma, and Cortalia offers cutting service with all three. That perspective allows us to say when each technology is the best — and when it is not, even if it benefits you to buy from us. This guide is the result.
Direct technical comparison
| Parameter | Waterjet (OMAX) | Fiber Laser | CNC Plasma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max steel thickness | Up to 300 mm | 40-50 mm (15 kW) | 50-80 mm (high def.) |
| Typical precision | ±0.05-0.1 mm | ±0.05 mm | ±0.3-0.5 mm |
| Speed (10 mm steel) | 200-400 mm/min | 3,000-5,000 mm/min | 1,500-2,500 mm/min |
| Affected zone (HAZ) | None (cold cutting) | 0.05-0.3 mm | 0.5-2 mm |
| Materials | Any (metals, stone, glass, composites, food) | Metals mainly; limited plastics | Conductors only (steels, aluminum) |
| Edge quality | Natural grinding, no burr | Clean edge, oxidized in O2 | Burr; requires finishing |
| Consumables | Garnet (0.5-0.7 kg/min), orifices, mixing tubes | Assistant gas (N2/O2), optics | Electrodes + nozzles (every 2-4h) |
| Operation cost per hour | 35-50 €/h | 40-60 €/h | 18-28 €/h |
| Estimated investment 2026 | 180-280 k€ (50 HP, 1.5×3 m) | 350-550 k€ (6 kW, 1.5×3 m) | 80-150 k€ (1.5×3 m high def.) |
| Required space | Medium (pump + tank) | Medium | Low |
| Electric consumption | 40-75 kW | 25-50 kW | 20-40 kW |
| Operation noise | 75-85 dB (sub) / 100+ air | 70-80 dB | 95-110 dB |
| Wastewater | Yes (treatable, recyclable) | No | If wet table |
When to choose each technology
Choose waterjet if...
- • You cut non-metallic materials: stone, glass, composites, foam, cardboard, food.
- • You work with titanium, aerospace aluminum or duplex stainless steels and cannot afford HAZ.
- • Thicknesses are over 40 mm on a regular basis.
- • The customer requires edge without subsequent machining.
- • Mixed workshop with unpredictable orders: waterjet covers everything, never say "I can't".
- • Regulated sectors (nuclear, aerospace, medical) where material traceability without thermal alteration is mandatory.
Choose fiber laser if...
- • Medium-thin metal sheet (2-20 mm) in high series production.
- • You prioritize speed: you are 5-10× faster than waterjet.
- • You work mostly with carbon steel, stainless or aluminum in the same thicknesses.
- • You need cutting + marking on the same machine (some fibers allow it).
- • Finished part with bright edge without subsequent work.
- • You can absorb HAZ of 0.1-0.3 mm without regulatory problem.
Choose CNC plasma if...
- • Budget constrained (80-150 k€) with need to cut steel.
- • Thick steel sheet (20-80 mm) in short series or unique parts.
- • Speed matters more than precision: tolerance ±0.3-0.5 mm is sufficient.
- • After cutting there is machining or welding that cleans the affected zone.
- • Sheet metal, metal structures, parts to paint.
- • You don't mind noise and burr (accept finishing).
Real case: the same part, three technologies
At Cortalia (sister company of Lucohe, cutting service) we measured the same part on the three machines: 316L stainless steel flange, 15 mm thickness, 200 mm outer diameter, 8 holes of 12 mm. 100 units. The data is real, recorded in February 2026 production.
Waterjet OMAX 55100
- Total time: 11h 40min
- Garnet consumption: 220 kg
- Total cost: 680 €
- Edge: Ready, no burr, no HAZ
- Post-machining: 0 min/part
Fiber laser 8 kW
- Total time: 2h 50min
- N2 consumption: 18 m³
- Total cost: 420 €
- Edge: Clean, HAZ 0.15 mm
- Post-machining: 2 min/part (200 min)
High def. plasma
- Total time: 4h 20min
- Electrode consumption: 3 kits
- Total cost: 310 €
- Edge: Burr + oxide, HAZ 1.2 mm
- Post-machining: 6 min/part (600 min)
Real reading: laser wins on cost if the customer accepts HAZ. Waterjet wins if the customer requires finished edge (e.g. hygienic application, medical, aerospace). Plasma wins on thick sheet with post-machining planned. The correct order is: define customer requirement -> choose technology. Not the other way around.
All three technologies, in the same group
Lucohe · Waterjet
Official OMAX distributor since 1993. ProtoMAX → OptiMAX 80X range. Installation, training and SAT in Spain and Portugal.
View waterjet catalog →
Herramentalia · Laser
Cutting fiber laser, manual laser welding, laser cleaning. From 1.5 kW to 15 kW.
View laser at Herramentalia →
Cortalia · Service
Waterjet, laser, plasma cutting, sheet metal and welding service. When you don't want to invest, outsource.
Request Cortalia offer →
Frequently asked questions
Which technology cuts 20 mm stainless steel better? +
Depends on volume and required finish. For loose parts or prototypes with clean edge without Heat Affected Zone (HAZ), waterjet. For high series production with acceptable thermal edges, plasma (up to 25-30 mm) or powerful fiber laser (up to 20-25 mm in 10-15 kW). In cost per hour: plasma ~20 €/h, laser ~45 €/h, waterjet ~35-50 €/h.
Can reflective materials like aluminum or copper be cut with laser? +
With modern fiber laser yes (aluminum up to 25 mm, copper up to 15 mm in 6-8 kW), with beam dispersion reservations. With waterjet it is indifferent: cuts pure copper, brass and aerospace aluminum without any problem and without altering mechanical properties. Plasma also cuts aluminum but leaves a dense oxide bead.
Which technology to choose for aerospace parts in titanium? +
Abrasive waterjet is the de facto standard in aeronautics for titanium. Cold cutting preserves the material's mechanical properties, does not generate HAZ or microcracks, and allows ±0.1 mm tolerances. Laser and plasma introduce heat that requires subsequent machining to remove affected zone — waterjet delivers ready part. References: Airbus, Boeing, Safran use OMAX waterjet in primary structures.
How much does a waterjet cutting machine cost vs a fiber laser vs plasma? +
Rough ranges 2026 (industrial machines, turnkey): OMAX waterjet table with 1.5×3 m useful area with 50 HP pump: 180-280 k€. Fiber laser 6 kW useful 1.5×3 m: 350-550 k€. High definition CNC plasma useful 1.5×3 m: 80-150 k€. Plasma is cheaper in investment; laser has better productivity in medium sheet; waterjet is most versatile in materials.
What is the maximum thickness each technology can cut? +
Abrasive waterjet: up to 300 mm (steel), usual 100-150 mm with good quality. Fiber laser (15 kW): up to 40-50 mm steel. High definition CNC plasma: up to 50-80 mm steel with acceptable quality. Waterjet wins on large thicknesses and exotic materials (composites, ceramics, stone).
Can waterjet cut glass, stone or food? +
Yes, it is its strong point. Laminated glass, marble, granite, quartz, industrial ceramics, rubber, foam, cardboard, and even food (fish, cheese, meat in hygienic line — pure waterjet, without abrasive). Laser and plasma are limited to metals and some plastics. If the workshop has mixed needs, waterjet wins flexibility.
Doubts about what technology you need?
Tell us your application, volume and quality requirements. We guide you without commitment — and if the best option is not waterjet, we tell you.