There are many brands of laser cutters and engravers available on the market today. Two of them are Aeon Mira 9 and Thunder Laser. These are two high-quality machines that offer different features, performance, and price. In this Mira 9 vs Thunder laser guide, we will compare and contrast these two machines to help you decide which one is better for your laser engraving needs.
Aeon Mira 9: Features and Benefits
The Aeon Mira 9 is a desktop laser engraver that uses a diode laser as its source. It has a sleek design with a black metal frame and a transparent cover. It weighs about 35 kg and measures 780 x 620 x 250 mm. It can be easily placed on a table or a stand.
The main features of the Aeon Mira 9 are:
- The powerful diode laser. The Mira 9 comes with three options for the laser power: 10W, 20W, or 40W. The higher the power, the faster and deeper the engraving. The diode laser has a long lifespan of up to 10,000 hours. It also has a low power consumption and does not require water cooling.
- The large working area. The Mira 9 has a working area of 432 x 406 mm, which is enough for most projects. It can engrave on materials up to 50 mm thick. It also has a honeycomb platform that can be adjusted up and down to accommodate different materials.
- The auto-focus function and the rotary attachment. The Mira 9 has a built-in auto-focus sensor that can automatically adjust the focal length of the laser according to the material height. This ensures the best engraving quality and accuracy. The Mira 9 also has a rotary attachment that can be used to engrave on cylindrical objects, such as bottles, cups, pens, etc.
- The user-friendly software and control panel. The Mira 9 comes with a software called LaserWork, which is compatible with Windows and Mac OS. It supports various file formats, such as JPG, BMP, PNG, DXF, AI, etc. It also has many functions, such as text editing, image processing, vector drawing, etc. The Mira 9 also has a touch screen control panel that can be used to set the parameters, preview the design, and control the machine.
- The safety features and sensors. The Mira 9 has a transparent cover that can protect the user from the laser beam and the dust. It also has a safety switch that can stop the machine when the cover is opened. The Mira 9 also has sensors that can detect the water temperature, the water flow, and the laser temperature. If any of these parameters exceed the normal range, the machine will alarm and stop working.
The benefits of using the Aeon Mira 9 are:
- The high precision and speed of engraving. The Mira 9 has a high-resolution laser head that can produce fine details and smooth edges. It can engrave at a speed of up to 400 mm/s and a precision of 0.01 mm.
- The versatility of materials and applications. The Mira 9 can engrave on a wide range of materials, such as wood, metal, glass, leather, acrylic, paper, fabric, stone, etc. It can also engrave on different shapes and sizes of objects, thanks to the adjustable platform and the rotary attachment. It can be used for various purposes, such as personalizing items, creating art, making signs, engraving logos, and more.
- The durability and reliability of the machine. The Mira 9 is made of high-quality materials and components that ensure its stability and longevity. It has a metal frame that can resist deformation and vibration. It also has a diode laser that has a long lifespan and low maintenance cost.
- The easy installation and maintenance. The Mira 9 is easy to install and use. It only requires a power supply and a USB connection to a computer. It also comes with a user manual and a video tutorial that can guide you through the process. The Mira 9 is also easy to maintain. It only needs regular cleaning of the lens and the platform.
Thunder Laser: Features and Benefits
The Thunder Laser is an industrial laser engraver that uses a CO2 laser as its source. It has a robust design with a white metal frame and a red cover. It weighs about 150 kg and measures 1020 x 720 x 600 mm or 1280 x 920 x 600 mm depending on the model. It requires a dedicated space and a water chiller for cooling.
The main features of the Thunder Laser are:
- The powerful CO2 laser. The Thunder Laser comes with three options for the laser power: 40W, 60W, or 80W. The higher the power, the faster and deeper the engraving and cutting. The CO2 laser has a lifespan of about 5,000 hours. It requires water cooling to prevent overheating.
- The large working area. The Thunder Laser has two models: Nova24 with a working area of 600 x 400 mm and Nova35 with a working area of 900 x 600 mm. Both models can engrave and cut on materials up to 200 mm thick. They also have honeycomb or blade platforms that can be adjusted up and down to accommodate different materials.
- The auto-focus function and the rotary attachment. The Thunder Laser has an auto-focus function that can automatically adjust the focal length of the laser according to the material height. This ensures the best engraving and cutting quality and accuracy. The Thunder Laser also has a rotary attachment that can be used to engrave or cut on cylindrical objects, such as bottles, cups, pens, etc.
- The user-friendly software and control panel. The Thunder Laser comes with a software called RDWorks, which is compatible with Windows OS. It supports various file formats, such as JPG, BMP, PNG, DXF, AI, etc. It also has many functions, such as text editing, image processing, vector drawing, etc. The Thunder Laser also has a touch screen control panel that can be used to set the parameters, preview the design, and control the machine.
- The safety features and sensors. The Thunder Laser has a red cover that can protect the user from the laser beam and the dust. It also has a safety switch that can stop the machine when the cover is opened. The Thunder Laser also has sensors that can detect the water temperature, the water flow, and the laser power. If any of these parameters exceed the normal range, the machine will alarm and stop working.
The benefits of using the Thunder Laser are:
- The high precision and speed of engraving and cutting. The Thunder Laser has a high-resolution laser head that can produce fine details and smooth edges. It can engrave at a speed of up to 600 mm/s and cut at a speed of up to 400 mm/s. It can also achieve a precision of 0.01 mm.
- The versatility of materials and applications. The Thunder Laser can engrave and cut on a wide range of materials, such as wood, metal, glass, leather, acrylic, paper, fabric, stone, etc. It can also engrave and cut on different shapes and sizes of objects, thanks to the adjustable platform and the rotary attachment. It can be used for various purposes, such as personalizing items, creating art, making signs, engraving logos, cutting shapes, and more.
- The durability and reliability of the machine. The Thunder Laser is made of high-quality materials and components that ensure its stability and longevity. It has a metal frame that can resist deformation and vibration. It also has a CO2 laser that has a long lifespan and high power output.
- The easy installation and maintenance. The Thunder Laser is easy to install and use. It requires a power supply, a water chiller, and a USB connection to a computer. It also comes with a user manual and a video tutorial that can guide you through the process. The Thunder Laser is also easy to maintain. It only needs regular cleaning of the lens and the platform.
Mira 9 vs Thunder Laser: Comparison and Contrast
Now that we have seen the features and benefits of both machines, let us compare and contrast them based on some important criteria:
- Laser power and type. The Mira 9 uses a diode laser with 10W, 20W, or 40W options. The Thunder Laser uses a CO2 laser with 40W, 60W, or 80W options. The CO2 laser is more powerful than the diode laser and can cut deeper and faster. However, the diode laser has a longer lifespan than the CO2 laser and does not require water cooling.
- Working area and size. The Mira 9 has a working area of 432 x 406 mm. The Thunder Laser has two models: Nova24 with a working area of 600 x 400 mm and Nova35 with a working area of 900 x 600 mm. The Thunder Laser has larger working areas than the Mira 9 and can accommodate bigger projects. However, the Mira 9 is smaller and lighter than the Thunder Laser and can be easily placed on a table or a stand.
- Features and functions. Both machines have similar features and functions, such as auto-focus function, rotary attachment, user-friendly software and control panel, safety features and sensors. However, there are some differences in their details. For example, the Mira 9 has an auto-focus sensor that can automatically adjust the focal length according to the material height. The Thunder Laser has an auto-focus function that requires manual adjustment of the focal length by pressing a button on the control panel.
- Performance and quality. Both machines have high precision and speed of engraving and cutting. They can produce fine details and smooth edges on various materials. However, the Thunder Laser has higher power output and larger working area than the Mira 9, which means it can cut deeper and faster than the Mira 9. The Thunder Laser can also cut through some materials that the Mira 9 cannot, such as metal and glass.
- Price and value. The Mira 9 is cheaper than the Thunder Laser. The price of the Mira 9 ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 depending on the laser power option. The price of the Thunder Laser ranges from $5,000 to $8,000 depending on the model and the laser power option. However, the price difference also reflects the difference in quality and performance. The Thunder Laser offers more value for money than the Mira 9 in terms of power, speed, and working area.
To summarize, the main similarities and differences between the Mira 9 and the Thunder Laser are:
| Criteria | Mira 9 | Thunder Laser |
|---|---|---|
| Laser power and type | Diode laser with 10W, 20W, or 40W options | CO2 laser with 40W, 60W, or 80W options |
| Working area and size | 432 x 406 mm; 780 x 620 x 250 mm; 35 kg | Nova24: 600 x 400 mm; Nova35: 900 x 600 mm; 1020 x 720 x 600 mm or 1280 x 920 x 600 mm; 150 kg |
| Features and functions | Auto-focus sensor; rotary attachment; LaserWork software; touch screen control panel; safety switch and sensors | Auto-focus function; rotary attachment; RDWorks software; touch screen control panel; safety switch and sensors |
| Performance and quality | High precision and speed of engraving; versatile materials and applications; durable and reliable machine; easy installation and maintenance | Higher precision and speed of engraving and cutting; more versatile materials and applications; more durable and reliable machine; easy installation and maintenance |
| Price and value | Cheaper than Thunder Laser; ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 | More expensive than Mira 9; ranges from $5,000 to $8,000 |
Some examples of projects that can be done with each machine are:
- With the Mira 9, you can engrave your name, logo, or message on wood, leather, acrylic, paper, fabric, etc. You can also create personalized gifts, such as keychains, coasters, bookmarks, etc. You can also make art pieces, such as portraits, landscapes, patterns, etc.
- With the Thunder Laser, you can engrave and cut your name, logo, or message on wood, metal, glass, leather, acrylic, paper, fabric, etc. You can also create personalized gifts, such as jewelry boxes, puzzles, ornaments, etc. You can also make art pieces, such as sculptures, models, signs, etc.
Conclusion
The choice between the two machines depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. If you are looking for a cheaper, smaller, lighter, and longer-lasting machine that can engrave on various materials with high precision and speed, then the Mira 9 might be the best option for you. If you are looking for a more powerful, larger, faster, and deeper-cutting machine that can engrave and cut on more materials with higher precision and speed, then the Thunder Laser might be the best option for you.
