Purchasing Thunder Laser - Mars 130 Timeline and review

[Keith Winter]

Hi Guys,

I've decided to take the leap and order a Chinese laser for cutting. Figures crossed it all goes well.

Here's what I ordered. If you see anything I missed let me know. It's my intention to update this thread as things progress since I don't see many Thunder Laser reviews on here, might be helpful to someone I thought.

Machine ordered:
Mars 130 Plus laser
+ With EFR ZN-1650 130w tube
+ Upgrade to 5200 Water chiller from 5000 water chiller
+ Pass-through to be sealed with metal
+ Tube is longer than machine, to be enclosed in metal extension on machine

Extras Ordered:
- extra 2 inch head and lens
- extra 4 inch head and lens
- extra 2 inch focal lens
- extra 4 inch focal lens
- extra power supply
- extra motherboard + other boards on system and RDC6442G lcd controller panel
- extra servo motor
- extra servo motor driver
- molybdenum laser reflection mirrors - QTY 6
- 6 meter extra x, y belt
- extra open flap sensor
- extra honeycomb and frame
- extra screws for mirror mounts and lens


Events & Experience (so far):
1) 6-27-2015 - started talking to Nolan @ Thunder Laser - Nolan was very prompt to answer
2) 7-9-2015 - Placed order with Nolan at Thunder Laser - To ship within 3 weeks
3) 7-10-2015 - Wired 30% deposit to Thunder Laser, Nolan confirmed receipt - laser to ship within 3 weeks

[Bert Kemp]

Congrats Keith hope it works great 4 you. question.......Pass-through to be sealed with metal does this mean there sealed and can't be used or just metal doors that you can open and use the pass thru?

Hi Guys,

I've decided to take the leap and order a Chinese laser for cutting. Figures crossed it all goes well.

Here's what I ordered. If you see anything I missed let me know. It's my intention to update this thread as things progress since I don't see many Thunder Laser reviews on here, might be helpful to someone I thought.

Machine ordered:
Mars 130 Plus laser
+ With EFR ZN-1650 130w tube
+ Upgrade to 5200 Water chiller from 5000 water chiller
+ Pass-through to be sealed with metal
+ Tube is longer than machine, to be enclosed in metal extension on machine

Extras Ordered:
- extra 2 inch head and lens
- extra 4 inch head and lens
- extra 2 inch focal lens
- extra 4 inch focal lens
- extra power supply
- extra motherboard + other boards on system and RDC6442G lcd controller panel
- extra servo motor
- extra servo motor driver
- molybdenum laser reflection mirrors - QTY 6
- 6 meter extra x, y belt
- extra open flap sensor
- extra honeycomb and frame
- extra screws for mirror mounts and lens


Events & Experience (so far):
1) 6-27-2015 - started talking to Nolan @ Thunder Laser - Nolan was very prompt to answer
2) 7-9-2015 - Placed order with Nolan at Thunder Laser - To ship within 3 weeks
3) 7-10-2015 - Wired 30% deposit to Thunder Laser, Nolan confirmed receipt - laser to ship within 3 weeks

[Keith Winter]

Congrats Keith hope it works great 4 you. question.......Pass-through to be sealed with metal does this mean there sealed and can't be used or just metal doors that you can open and use the pass thru?

Great question Bert! Asked them to seal it, non-usable. It's on the backside and air escapes out of it since it's not sealed normally, so the vacumm is less and you get more smoke inside the cabinet if left in the default configuration. They are going to attach a metal strip with screws to it. I assume we could unscrew it if we wanted but we don't use pass-through, so this is best for us.

[Ron Gosnell]

Great Job Keith,

I think you covered everything in the extras department. (If I break down now I know who has the parts)
I sealed off my pass through door on the Mars 90 and it made a big difference.
So far my Thunder Laser has been rock solid and I am 100% satisfied.
You may even sell the Trotecs after this .

Any questions you have please don't hesitate to ask.
I believe Rich Harmon is an expert on the RD Works software.

Gozzie

[Keith Winter]

Haha! Don't think I'll be selling the Trotecs

[Scott Marquez]

Congrats on your machine purchase.
Does this machine have a vacuum table? Depending on the design, a little input air may not be a bad thing. My machine has its exhaust pulling from a funnel attached to the bottom of the table. There are some louvers cut into the door for input air, so sealing off doors really wouldn't do much good. Food for thought.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the machine after you use it a while.
Scott

[Keith Winter]

Thanks Scott! Good questions. It does not have a vacuum table, and the approximately 6" air port is on the lower backside of the machine. The reason the passthrough being open is bad is a laser needs suction inside the cabinet or at least some suction to properly remove all the smoke. Two separate people have posted complaints that the pass through was making their Thunder Lasers smokey. The exhaust port is not very far from the pass through gap so it's quite possible they were losing much of their suction through the skinny but very long gap for the pass through. Once they sealed it, they both said the smoke issue went away. That's why I requested it to be sealed at the factory, better than the old duct tape solution. .

I'm sure plenty of air will get through the sides and gaps between the pieces of metal, however I'm sure a few small vents in the front for air would be fine for air flow, maybe even a good thing as you said. I think the key difference is the size of the pass-through, about 1" x 36" is a huge gap, and the placement in the back not far from the exhaust, vs your ports in the front door you mentioned. The front may encourage some front to back airflow (or front to bottom airflow in your case), but the back to back airflow which takes suction away from the main bed, or allows smoke to escape is what I'm trying to avoid. (see photos of exhaust placement relative to pass-through)

Congrats on your machine purchase.
Does this machine have a vacuum table? Depending on the design, a little input air may not be a bad thing. My machine has its exhaust pulling from a funnel attached to the bottom of the table. There are some louvers cut into the door for input air, so sealing off doors really wouldn't do much good. Food for thought.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the machine after you use it a while.
Scott

[Scott Marquez]

Keith,
A picture says a thousand words, now I understand why you would block off the doors, especially the rear door because I agree that it is too big of an opening so close to the exhaust port.
Scott

[Kev Williams]

My Triumph's passthru is just under 1-1/2" tall and about 48" long- I just stuck a few pieces of 2x4 in front of mine, they fit perfect top to bottom-- I left about about an 8" space that I can move around to adjust the inflow if I feel the need, but usually I don't mess with them. Personally, I like the smoke drifting around inside before it finds an exit, I end up with less soot on the material that way.

Looks like a nice machine, have fun with it!

[Keith Winter]

Thanks Kev and Scott.

[Jeff Body]

I find that I have better air flow when I crack my lid about 1".
I guess it's possible to have 2 large of a blower if your machine doesn't allow enough inlet air.

[Ron Philman]

Hi Guys,

I've decided to take the leap and order a Chinese laser for cutting. Figures crossed it all goes well.

Here's what I ordered. If you see anything I missed let me know. It's my intention to update this thread as things progress since I don't see many Thunder Laser reviews on here, might be helpful to someone I thought.

Machine ordered:
Mars 130 Plus laser
+ With EFR ZN-1650 130w tube
+ Upgrade to 5200 Water chiller from 5000 water chiller
+ Pass-through to be sealed with metal
+ Tube is longer than machine, to be enclosed in metal extension on machine

Extras Ordered:
- extra 2 inch head and lens
- extra 4 inch head and lens
- extra 2 inch focal lens
- extra 4 inch focal lens
- extra power supply
- extra motherboard + other boards on system and RDC6442G lcd controller panel
- extra servo motor**
- extra servo motor driver**
- molybdenum laser reflection mirrors - QTY 6
- 6 meter extra x, y belt
- extra open flap sensor
- extra honeycomb and frame
- extra screws for mirror mounts and lens


Events & Experience (so far):
1) 6-27-2015 - started talking to Nolan @ Thunder Laser - Nolan was very prompt to answer
2) 7-9-2015 - Placed order with Nolan at Thunder Laser - To ship within 3 weeks
3) 7-10-2015 - Wired 30% deposit to Thunder Laser, Nolan confirmed receipt - laser to ship within 3 weeks

Read this in another forum -- Thunder Laser machines actually have hybrid servos (closed loop steppers mfg by Leadshine who
markets them as "easy servos". But their steppers. Of course Thunderlaser's site claims them as servos -- img. I would leave the link to
the forum thread but I don't think its permitted.

Thunder_Laser_False_Claim.png

[Bert Kemp]

You do know this thread is 2 years old right.

Read this in another forum -- Thunder Laser machines actually have hybrid servos (closed loop steppers mfg by Leadshine who
markets them as "easy servos". But their steppers. Of course Thunderlaser's site claims them as servos -- img. I would leave the link to
the forum thread but I don't think its permitted.

Thunder_Laser_False_Claim.png

[Cam Mayor]

Are the legs of the Thunderlaser products removable. I want to get one into my basement but it will have to go through a low window.

[Bert Kemp]

i would contact thunder laser and ask them since machines change designs often

Are the legs of the Thunderlaser products removable. I want to get one into my basement but it will have to go through a low window.