Epilog Fusion Edge 36 80W CO2 vs Thunder Laser Nova 35
| Laser | ||
| Type | CO2 Laser | CO2 Laser |
| Wavelength | 10,600 nm | 10,600 nm |
| Optical Power | 80 W | 80 W |
| Performance | ||
| Work Area | 914 × 610 mm | 900 × 600 mm |
| Max Speed | 180,000 mm/min | 60,000 mm/min |
| Focus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Features | ||
| Enclosure | Yes | Yes |
| Air Assist | No | Yes |
| Rotary Compatible | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | No |
| Camera | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Approx. Price | $18,000 | $9,230 |
| Release Year | 2021 | 2015 |
| Weight | 117 kg | 311 kg |
Pros & Cons
Epilog Fusion Edge 36 80W CO2
What we like
- Brushless DC servo motors — faster and more durable than stepper motors
- 5G acceleration for efficient raster engraving
- Larger 914×610mm work area handles most commercial formats
- CO2 or fiber source options in same chassis
- IRIS™ 2-camera system for layout and print-and-cut
Watch out for
- Air compressor not standard
- No pass-through door (unlike Ascent)
- Price is by contact — significantly above hobby tier
- Heavy at 260 lbs (117 kg)
Thunder Laser Nova 35
What we like
- Large 35" × 23" work area handles big production jobs
- 80W–100W power cuts thick wood and acrylic efficiently
- 1,000 mm/s servo speed for fast batch production
- Pass-through door for unlimited-length material
- Includes LightBurn and lifetime US support
Watch out for
- Very heavy at 311 kg — requires freight delivery and forklift
- No built-in camera (optional ThunderCam)
- Price not listed online — requires dealer quote
- Glass CO2 tube needs replacement every 2,000–4,000 hours
Compatible Materials
Epilog Fusion Edge 36 80W CO2
WoodAcrylicLeatherPaperplasticFabricGlassStonecoated metals
Thunder Laser Nova 35
WoodAcrylicLeatherFabricPaperGlassRubberStone
The Thunder Laser Nova 35 costs $9,230 (49% less) than the Epilog Fusion Edge 36 80W CO2, which is priced at $18,000.
Both machines share the same 80W optical power rating.
The Epilog Fusion Edge 36 80W CO2 offers a 3% larger work area (914 × 610 mm vs 900 × 600 mm).
The Epilog Fusion Edge 36 80W CO2 has a 67% higher maximum speed (180,000 mm/min vs 60,000 mm/min).
Feature-wise, Thunder Laser Nova 35 includes air assist, while Epilog Fusion Edge 36 80W CO2 does not; Epilog Fusion Edge 36 80W CO2 includes a camera, while Thunder Laser Nova 35 does not; Epilog Fusion Edge 36 80W CO2 includes WiFi connectivity, while Thunder Laser Nova 35 does not.