Waterjet Cutting Machine Buying Guide — Spain and Portugal 2026
Compare waterjet machines: OMAX vs Flow vs TCI vs integrators.
The waterjet cutting (waterjet) is the most versatile cutting technology in existence: it cuts any material — metal, stone, glass, ceramic, composite — without a heat-affected zone, without deformation, and without fumes. But not all waterjet cutting machines are the same, and not all suppliers offer the same level of technology, service, and support. Lucohe is the official OMAX distributor for Spain and Portugal, with over 30 years of experience in waterjet technology.
What makes OMAX different?
OMAX is the largest manufacturer of waterjet cutting machines in the world. Unlike other manufacturers that assemble third-party components, OMAX designs and manufactures the entire system in an integrated way: the ultra-high pressure pump, the cutting table, the cutting head, the controller, and the software. Everything is manufactured at their facilities in Kent, Washington (USA). This total control over hardware and software translates into perfect integration, greater reliability, and cutting performance that integrators cannot match.
Integrated manufacturer vs. integrators — The key difference
In the Spanish market for waterjet cutting machines, you will find two types of suppliers: manufacturers that design and manufacture their entire system, and integrators that assemble components from different suppliers (pump from one manufacturer, table from another, software from a third party). The difference is fundamental for the long-term performance of your investment.
| Integrators | OMAX (Lucohe) | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Assemble components from different suppliers | 100% integrated: pump, table, head, controller, and software manufactured by OMAX USA |
| Software | Third-party software (paid licenses, expensive updates) | Proprietary Intelli-MAX, included without licenses. Free lifetime updates Included |
| High pressure pump | Third-party intensifier pumps (KMT or others) | Direct-drive EnduroMAX: 83.8% energy efficiency, less maintenance Proprietary |
| 5-axis head | Generic heads, complex calibration | Tilt-A-Jet and A-Jet: automatic taper compensation, integrated 5 axes Patented |
| Cutting model | Generic models, approximate speeds | 4th generation predictive cutting model: speed, taper, and jet lag calculated with precision |
| Showroom | Some have showrooms, others invite you to visit clients | Own showroom in Spain with operational machines for demonstration Visit us |
| Technical service | Variable — some in-house, others outsourced | Lucohe: in-house technical service, 30+ years of experience in waterjet In-house |
| Spare parts | From multiple suppliers, variable compatibility | Original OMAX spare parts with stock in Spain. Parts designed for each machine |
| Price range | Variable | 3 ranges: OMAX (high), MAXIEM (medium), GlobalMAX (entry) — for every budget |
Visual comparison
Three ranges for every need
OMAX — High-end range
The OMAX range is the global benchmark for precision waterjet cutting. Large-format machines with the most powerful EnduroMAX pumps, A-Jet 5-axis articulated heads, and Intelli-MAX software with the 4th generation predictive cutting model. For companies that need extreme precision, maximum productivity, and 3D cutting capability. They compete directly with the best from Flow, Bystronic, and the most advanced machines from TCI Cutting.
MAXIEM — Mid-range
The MAXIEM range offers OMAX technology at a more accessible price. It includes the same Intelli-MAX software and EnduroMAX pumps, with cutting tables optimized for workshops that need versatility and reliability without the format of high-end machines. Ideal for machining workshops, metal fabrication, and subcontracting companies looking for a productive waterjet machine with the guarantee of OMAX technology.
GlobalMAX — Entry-level range
The GlobalMAX range brings OMAX waterjet technology within reach of smaller workshops and tighter budgets. Despite its competitive price, it includes Intelli-MAX software and original OMAX components. For companies that want to start with waterjet cutting with the peace of mind of having a machine from a world-leading manufacturer, and not an assembly of generic components.
The waterjet market in Spain and Portugal
Waterjet cutting in the Iberian Peninsula has grown significantly in recent years, driven by sectors such as aeronautics, automotive, construction, and the food industry. In addition to OMAX (distributed by Lucohe), manufacturers operating in the Spanish market include Flow International (with its subsidiary Flow Ibérica since 1998, focused on technical service), TCI Cutting (Valencian manufacturer founded in 2001, specializing in waterjet and laser), and Iberjet (distributor in Bilbao of H2O Jet, from the Shape/Flow group). High-pressure systems from KMT Waterjet (Sweden/USA) are also present through local distributors, and the Dutch company Resato has a presence in specific projects.
What differentiates Lucohe in this market is the combination of three factors that no other supplier offers simultaneously: the technology of a 100% integrated manufacturer (OMAX), technical service with over 30 years of specific experience in waterjet, and an own showroom in Spain where you can see the machines running before buying. Other suppliers offer one or two of these factors, but not all three.
Why Lucohe?
- Official OMAX distributor for Spain and Portugal — direct access to the world-leading manufacturer
- In-house technical service with over 30 years of exclusive experience in waterjet — not a generic service that also repairs other machines
- Showroom with operational machines — come see the machines cutting before deciding. Not all suppliers offer this
- Original OMAX spare parts in stock — critical parts available without waiting weeks
- Comprehensive training — installation, commissioning, and operator training included
- Three price ranges — from GlobalMAX for tight budgets to high-end OMAX for demanding industrial production
- Software without licenses — Intelli-MAX included for life, with no recurring software costs
- Part of the Lucohe Group — a Spanish industrial company with over 30 years of history. Our sister companies Herramentalia (laser machinery) and Cortalia (industrial subcontracting) complement our offering
Buying a waterjet cutting machine is a long-term investment. The machine will be in your workshop for 10, 15, or 20 years. What matters is not just the price on the day of purchase, but who will support you throughout the machine's useful life: who has the spare parts, who understands the technology from the inside, and who will be there when you need them. That is exactly what we offer.