Thunder Laser Nova 35 Complete Setup Guide: 60W CO2, LightBurn, and Your First Job

The Thunder Laser Nova 35 sits a tier above the hobby CO2 machines covered elsewhere on this site — K40, OMTech, Boss Laser — in both build quality and price, at around $11,000. It's aimed at small businesses and serious hobbyists who need a larger working area, a motorized dual-bed system, and included LightBurn licensing rather than a budget RDWorks setup. This guide covers what you get, setup, and your first job.

Specs at a Glance

SpecNova 35CO2 tube60W RF (80W RF also offered on this platform)Working area35.4 × 23.6 × 8.9 inMax part size (pass-through closed)36.6 × 25.6 × 8.9 inPass-through (open)37.8 in wide, unlimited lengthEngraving speedUp to 1,200 mm/s with LeadShine hybrid-servo motorsTableMotorized, removable honeycomb bed and a separate solid-metal knife-style bedAutofocusInfrared auto-focus systemCameraOverhead camera, standardSoftwareLightBurn included, licensed for two computers (Windows/Mac/Linux)ResolutionUp to 500 DPI with the included 2.5 in head, up to 2,000 DPI with the optional 1.5 in headVentilation375 CFM exhaust, 6 in rear portAir assistAir pump included, 5–7 psiElectrical110V AC, 60Hz, single phase, dedicated 15A circuit

Note that Thunder Laser's lineup naming has shifted over time between Nova and Nova Plus branding on this bed size, and cooling specs have appeared inconsistently between a stated air-cooled design and a mention of an included chiller depending on the exact configuration and year of the listing — confirm the current cooling setup and tube wattage directly with Thunder Laser or your reseller before ordering, since RF tube options on this platform include both 60W and 80W variants.

Setup

1. This is a floor-standing industrial-class machine, not a desktop unit — plan placement with full consideration for the dedicated 15A circuit, the rear 6 in exhaust port and ducting to the outside, and clearance on the side where material passes through if you're using the open pass-through slot for oversized stock.
2. Install and level the machine per Thunder Laser's assembly documentation, then connect exhaust ducting before running anything — at 375 CFM, this machine moves real volume of smoke and fumes that needs a proper path outside, not just a loose hose draped toward a window.
3. Install LightBurn on both licensed computers if you're splitting design and production work between a design station and a shop-floor PC, and confirm connectivity (typically Ethernet on this class of machine) before your first job.
4. Load either the honeycomb bed (for standard material support during cutting) or the knife-style metal bed (better for thinner, flexible material and faster heat dissipation on some jobs), depending on what you're running first.

Autofocus and Your First Job

Use the infrared autofocus system to set Z height automatically rather than manually focusing with a focus gauge — this is one of the genuine time-savers that separates this tier of machine from a basic hobby CO2 unit, especially when you're swapping between material thicknesses throughout a shift. For your first job, run a simple engrave-then-cut test file at conservative speed and power on scrap plywood or acrylic to confirm bed leveling, air assist pressure, and exhaust draw are all working together before committing to production material. Use the overhead camera in LightBurn to register your artwork precisely against pre-printed or irregularly shaped stock — this is especially useful for small-batch production runs where you're cutting the same design against material that isn't perfectly square to the bed.

Honeycomb vs. Knife Bed

Use the honeycomb bed as your default for most cutting and engraving work — it supports thin material evenly and lets smoke and cutting byproducts clear from underneath the workpiece. Switch to the knife-style bed for thin, flexible sheet material (fabric, thin acrylic, some papers) where you want firmer point support and less sag, or when you're doing a job where honeycomb cell marks on the back of the material would be a problem.

At this price point and size, the Nova 35 is a step up specifically for shops running near-daily jobs at a volume where the included LightBurn license, motorized dual-bed system, and faster servo motion pay for themselves against a hobby-class CO2 machine's downtime and manual workflow.