Thunder Laser Nova 35 vs ULS VLS3.60ES
| Laser | ||
| Type | CO2 Laser | CO2 Laser |
| Wavelength | 10,600 nm | 10,600 nm |
| Optical Power | 80 W | 60 W |
| Performance | ||
| Work Area | 900 × 600 mm | 610 × 305 mm |
| Max Speed | 60,000 mm/min | 152,400 mm/min |
| Focus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Features | ||
| Enclosure | Yes | Yes |
| Air Assist | Yes | No |
| Rotary Compatible | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | No | No |
| Camera | No | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Approx. Price | $9,230 | $15,500 |
| Release Year | 2015 | 2022 |
| Weight | 311 kg | 43 kg |
Pros & Cons
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
ULS VLS3.60ES
What we like
- Integrated camera vision system standard — visually align designs to material without registration marks
- Administrator access controls designed for shared, multi-user environments
- Same 60W CO2 power ceiling as the VLS3.60DT in the same footprint
- Rapid Reconfiguration™ tool-free laser source swaps
- Purpose-built for education and lab settings with usage monitoring needs
Watch out for
- Quote-only pricing through authorized resellers
- Same 24"×12" work area as the cheaper non-camera VLS3.60DT
- Requires a dedicated Windows PC via USB
- Air compressor for gas assist sold separately
- No WiFi
Compatible Materials
Thunder Laser Nova 35
WoodAcrylicLeatherFabricPaperGlassRubberStone
ULS VLS3.60ES
WoodAcrylicLeatherPaperplasticFabricGlassStonecoated metals
The Thunder Laser Nova 35 costs $9,230 (40% less) than the ULS VLS3.60ES, which is priced at $15,500.
The Thunder Laser Nova 35 has 25% more optical power (80W vs 60W).
The Thunder Laser Nova 35 offers a 66% larger work area (900 × 600 mm vs 610 × 305 mm).
The ULS VLS3.60ES has a 61% higher maximum speed (152,400 mm/min vs 60,000 mm/min).
Feature-wise, Thunder Laser Nova 35 includes air assist, while ULS VLS3.60ES does not; ULS VLS3.60ES includes a camera, while Thunder Laser Nova 35 does not.