View source for Laser Cutter, Thunder Nova 51 ID:178

{{Equipment page
| toolname = Thunder Nova 51 Laser
| model = Nova 51
| serial = ?
| owner = ProtoSpace
| loanstatus = Owned
| arrived = Tuesday March 5, 2024
| location = Bay 108 by the pinball machine
| status = Operational
| permission = ?
| certification = Laser I Course
| photo = Thunder-51-01.jpg
| caption = 
| id = 178
}}

==Specs==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Working Area
!NOVA 51
|-
|Working Area
|51.2"x 35.4"
(1300 x 900 mm)
|-
|Table Size
|55.1"x 40.6ª
(1400 x 1030mm)
|-
|Z Axis Height
|8.9" / 225 mm
|-
|Max Work height
|8.9" / 225 mm
|-
|Max Speed
|RASTER: 39"/sec. (1000 mm/sec) VECTOR: Varies with job
|-
|Motor
|Easy Servo Motor
|-
|Drive
|Hybrid Servo Drive
|-
|Work Piece table
|Solid metal blades & Honey comb table
|-
|Max table load
|30kg / 66lbs
|-
|Net weight
|430kgs / 946lbs
|-
|Available heads
|2.0" (50.8mm)
|-
|Lens diameter
|20mm
|-
|Mirror Diameter
|25mm
|-
|Beam Comb, dia,
|25mm
|-
|Door Closed
|55.1“x 40.6“x 8.9 “
(1400 x 1030 x 225mm)
|-
|Pass thru
|55.1“ x ∞“ x 1.2“
(1400 x ∞mm x 20 mm)
|-
|Laser type
|130W Sealed CO2 Glass Laser Tube
|-
|Wave length
|10.6um
|-
|Power consumption
|2200W
|-
|Recommended
circuit breaker
|25A,110V
15A,220V
|-
|Laser class
|CDRH Laser Safety
Laser Class 2
CE compliant FDA approved
|-
|Accessory's
|N/A
|}

==Usage==

=== Using the Auto-Focus Feature ===

*[https://thunderlaser.com/video/how-to-use-auto-focus/ How to use laser autofocus - THUNDER LASER]

=== Calibrating the Auto-Focus ===

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHtElZjkgRc Calibrating the laser autofocus - THUNDER LASER]

===Setting Focus Height===
[[File:Thunder-Laser-Focus.jpeg]]<br />

=== How to use the different nozzles laser head cone ===
''Excerpt from thunder manual Nova series page 48''
[[File:Thunderlasersreencappage48novaseriesmanual.png|thumb|466x466px|nozzle body + 2mm nozzle + 6mm nozzle, Taken from Thunderlaser nova series user manual page 48]]
The standard laser head is equipped with a 2 "(50.8mm) focusing lens and focuses the laser beam to a diameter of about 0.14mm (when using a glass laser tube). With this laser head, you can perform fine engraving work (such as letters with 1.5mm height) and cut materials up to 10mm thickness with good quality (depending on the laser power of the machine). The standard laser head is supplied with 2 air nozzles laser head cone. 


A nozzle has a very narrow outlet (approx. 2mm), which provides high air flow to blow directly on the cutting gap. This nozzle is excellently suited for cutting wood, as this prevents soot formation in the cutting gap. The other nozzle has a large outlet (approx. 6 mm), which provides the air assist to blow the material more slowly and not directly on the cutting gap. This nozzle is excellently suited for cutting acrylic, as this prevents white mark in the cutting edge. Besides, when engraving wood, for example, particles that have been removed and smoke / gases are gently distributed and extracted in the working area. So you get a clean, almost unaffected by smoke traces engraving.


=== How to use air-assist control ===
''Excerpt from thunder manual Nova series page 56-57''

On the Thunder laser, the "low volume" air is always blowing on the part when the laser is active, unless the operator requests even more air by enabling "air assist" in Lightburn, which will tell the Thunder to use "high volume" air instead.

Generally, cutting needs the air assist with high air-volume but engraving needs the air assist with low air-volume. 

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk89z4Bc-bQ Selecting Between Low and High Dual Air Assist Stages In LightBurn]
[[File:AirAssist2.jpg|thumb|Air assist in Lightburn. "Off/Red" = low volume air. "On/Green" = high volume air.]]

==== Adjusting Air Volume ====
1. Make sure machine is not at work and laser switch is off 

2. Click the green "Test" button to start the air-assist. (It will automatically turn off after a short period of time)

3. Check the air volume under the laser head 

4. On the control valve, loose the locked nut then rotate the adjusting screw to control the air volume to meet your requirements. '''Note that the dials are reversed from what you might expect.''' Clockwise (further in) is ''less'' air. Counter-clockwise (further out) is ''more'' air. 

5. Fix the lock nut after finished. 

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhpBHnP9Hkg How To Adjust The Dual Stage Air Assist]
[[File:Air-assist Control nova manual page 56.png|center|thumb|Air-Assist Control panel, taken from Thunder laser nova series manual page 56]]

===Suggested Material Settings===

*[https://thunderlaser.com/laser-cutter-settings-for-different-materials/ Laser Cutter Settings For Different Materials | Thunder Laser]  (note: ensure you select 130W from the top menu)

=== Adjusting the Jog Speed ===
Moving the laser head around using the physical arrow buttons on the controller is referred to as jogging. To increase or decrease the jog speed, press the `Speed` button on the laser controller. In the menu that appears on screen, use the arrow buttons to increase or decrease the mm/sec value. Please note that you need to select and adjust each digit. For example, if the jog speed is set to 49mm/sec and you decrease the 9 digit, it will not cycle down to 39mm/sec after 40. You must move your cursor to the tens position and increase/decrease the 4. See the Nova [https://thunderlaser.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/User-manual-NOVA51.pdf#page=43 instruction manual] for more info.

==Troubleshooting==

=== Indicate light ===

* If laser machine is running a job or user starts it without closing door or water protection, the signal lamp is in red light. The red light indicates the dangerous situation and user must stay with the laser.
* If laser machine is not at work, the signal lamp is in green light. The green light indicates the safety situation and the laser machine is ready for operation.
* If temperature is higher than 55°C/131°F on working table, the signal lamp will make buzzing sound.(roughly 80dBA within 1m,75dBA within 5m and 65dBA within 10m,the sound gets weaker as it travels).

=== Chiller ===
The chiller alarm status connected to the Thunder laser. But it isn't really "interlocked" as it only sends a problem signal if there is a power interruption or an active alarm. 

The chiller sends a "normal operation" signal on pin H1 and H2 if it is on and working properly, '''but''' the Thunder only listens to pin H1 and H3 for the "problem" signal. [https://support.thunderlaserusa.com/portal/en/kb/articles/thunder-laser-chiller-alarm-interconnect-specifications#Condition_States]
[[File:QBS18yYAzsAniPC4z1YldOjDYHWiqd4A9A.png|thumb|Thunder/Chiller Interconnect Wiring]]
The Thunder simply assumes the chiller is operating normally unless it is told otherwise. If any part of the alarm signal path is disconnected or broken, the Thunder will not be aware of problems with the chiller.[https://support.thunderlaserusa.com/portal/en/kb/articles/chiller-alarm-signal-and-cable-troubleshooting-guide-for-water-protect-error-2-8-2022#2_Check_Wiring_at_the_machine_socket]

== Maintenance ==
[https://support.thunderlaserusa.com/portal/en/kb/articles/preventative-maintenance-checklist#Nova_Series Thunder Laser Preventative Maintenance Checklist]

==Documentation==

*Official User Manual: [https://www.thunderlaser.ca/wp-content/uploads/down/Nova_Series_Unified_User's_Manual.pdf Nova_Series_Unified_User's_Manual.pdf (thunderlaser.ca)]

== Offset Settings ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Reverse Compensation Setting 
(Gold Card)
!Speed (mm/s)
!Line Shift (mm)
!Initial Offset
|-
|200
|0.080
|0
|-
|400
|0.340
|0
|-
|600
|0.370
|0
|-
|800
|0.390
|0
|-
|1000
|0.360
|0
|}
[[File:GoldCard.png|thumb|The factory-defined offset settings for Protospace's Thunder Nova]]
[[File:Entering offsets into lightburn.png|none|thumb|Entering offsets into Lightburn]]
[[Category:Showcase tools]]