Choosing the right profile cutting method is one of the most important decisions when preparing a cutting job. While many projects involve steel plate, laser cutting, plasma cutting, and water jet cutting services are also widely used on stainless steel, aluminium, and other materials. The best profile cutter depends on the material type and thickness, required precision, edge quality, and the part’s end use.
This guide compares the main CNC profile cutting processes used in New Zealand, laser cutting, plasma cutting, water jet cutting, and oxy-fuel flame cutting, so you can select the most suitable option for your project.
How each profile cutting method works
Water jet cutting (also known as waterjet cutting) employs a high-pressure stream of water mixed with abrasive garnet to erode material. As a cold process, it creates zero heat-affected zone (HAZ), preserving the original properties of the material. The Cutting Lab's OMAX Maxiem 1530 waterjet is well-suited for precision work across a wide range of conductive and non-conductive materials and thicknesses.
Laser cutting uses a focused high-energy beam to melt and vaporise material. It delivers a very narrow kerf, excellent precision, and clean edges. Like water jet cutting, it works on both conductive and non-conductive materials, making it highly versatile across metals, plastics, wood, and composites.
Plasma cutting uses an ionised gas arc to melt and remove metal. It is fast and effective but limited to conductive materials, particularly mild steel.
Oxy-fuel flame cutting relies on oxidation and works only on carbon steel. It excels on thick carbon steel plate but cannot process stainless steel or aluminium.
These processes are commonly used on mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and other metals. Water jet cutting and laser cutting stand out for their ability to handle non-conductive materials effectively.
Matching the method to material and thickness
Heat-sensitive or precision applications (any thickness):
- Water jet cutting is frequently the best solution. With no heat input, it prevents distortion or hardening, making it ideal for stainless steel, aluminium, food-grade applications, and precision engineering parts. Our OMAX Maxiem 1530 delivers reliable performance with good accuracy and smooth edges on these materials and many non-conductive ones.
Thin plate (under 6–12 mm):
- Laser cutting generally provides the cleanest edges, tightest tolerances, and best detail across mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminium.
Medium plate (6–25 mm):
- Plasma cutting offers an excellent balance of speed and performance for structural mild steel, while laser cutting remains preferred for superior finish and accuracy on a range of metals.
Thick carbon steel plate (above 25–30 mm):
- Oxy-fuel cutting is often the most practical choice due to its ability to handle heavy sections efficiently.
Cut quality, tolerances & edge finish
- Water jet cutting on our OMAX Maxiem 1530 delivers smooth, burr-free edges with no HAZ and solid accuracy—typically holding tolerances in the ±0.1 mm to ±0.15 mm range depending on material, thickness, and settings. Tighter results are achievable with optimised parameters.
- Laser cutting produces the narrowest kerf and highest precision.
- Plasma cutting and oxy-fuel create wider kerfs and may require more post-cut finishing.
Water jet cutting is especially valued when material properties must remain unchanged.
Choosing the right profile cutting partner
Look for a supplier experienced in the right profile cutting method for your specific material and application. Clean CAD files (DXF/DWG preferred) help achieve accurate results.
The Cutting Lab brings over a century of engineering and fabrication experience to every job. Our OMAX Maxiem 1530 water jet, combined with deep technical knowledge, allows us to provide precise, heat-free profile cutting on a wide range of materials—ideal for stainless steel, aluminium, and heat-sensitive components. Whether your project needs precision cutting or integration with broader fabrication, our team recommends the best approach for your requirements.
Get in touch with The Cutting Lab today for reliable water jet cutting advice and a practical quote tailored to your needs. Contact us here or call us on 09 238 0138.
