Thunder Laser Aurora Lite Fiber Laser – what is it, and why would you want it?

You’re here because you’re a little bit Fiber Laser curious, right? Maybe you’ve seen a few ads for the xTool F1 Ultra and it looks cool, but you want to understand what else is out there that might meet your needs.

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What is the Aurora Lite and why would you want it?

I might be addicted to lasers (is there a support group for that?). Even though I already have three CO2 lasers in my shop, I couldn’t resist checking out the Aurora Lite—Thunder Laser’s newest fiber laser. It’s hard to say no to a tool that promises to bring something totally different to the table!

You’ve probably heard of Thunder Laser’s Nova Series—those are their CO2 lasers, ranging from 24/60 watts to 51/130 watts. You might also know about their Bolt Series—those have RF tubes instead of the usual glass CO2 tubes.

I have one of each in my shop – with a Nova 24 and an “original” Bolt.

Not everyone knows that Thunder Laser also makes fiber lasers and even a UV laser as part of their Aurora Series.

Fiber Lasers are Becoming More Popular

Recently, I’m finding that fiber lasers (or things very similar to fiber) have become super popular, especially with crafters and small business owners.

A big part of that is thanks to options like the xTool F1 Ultra. From what I understand, the xTool option is a dual head aimed at being portable and able to do personalized engravings “on the spot”. It is an upgrade to their F1, which people often call a Fiber laser, but it actually isn’t.

I was very curious about the xTool option, but I’m QUITE partial to LightBurn, so it wasn’t high on my list of things to invest in and try to learn. Then I saw that Thunder was adding the Aurora Lite to their lineup. This meant I could get a Fiber Laser with the build quality and support that I’m accustomed to with a ton of power and performance, I was pretty excited about this option at this lower price than the other Aurora options.

Should you DIY your Fiber Laser?

Now, I know there are cheaper machines out there—like DIY kits or ones that aren’t enclosed. That is a great option for some people. But for me, the time spent trying to get it all correct, the worry that it won’t work properly even after following directions, and the horror stories I’ve seen in Facebook groups when people tackle these options, just meant inexpensive DIY was not right.

Going the DIY route might save you some money at first, but then you’re spending hours putting it together or worse—stuck with no one to help when something goes wrong. The Aurora Lite is fully enclosed, which, if you’re like me and working from home, is a big deal. Plus, it comes with an Ecowatt fan for venting and, again – top-notch Thunder Laser Support.

But why add a fiber laser to your shop? Let’s get into that.

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Why a Fiber Laser?

If you have a CO2 laser, you’ve probably wished it could mark metal at some point. Sure, you can use sprays, but that’s a hassle, and the results aren’t always great. That’s where fiber lasers really shine.

With a fiber laser like the Aurora Lite, you can anneal, etch, and even create deep 3D engravings on metal. It’s perfect for projects like jewelry, custom tools, or even those amazing 3D depth maps. You get crisp, detailed engravings without the headache.

Another great thing about fiber lasers? They’re fast. Like, really fast. CO2 lasers work on a gantry system, which means the laser head moves back and forth along rails. But fiber lasers use a Galvo system. Instead of the head moving, the beam reflects off mirrors and zips to the exact spot it needs to engrave. This makes the whole process much faster.

For example, my Thunder Laser Bolt (a CO2 laser) can hit speeds of 1,000 mm/second. That’s fast. But the Aurora Lite? It goes up to 7,000 mm/second. That’s seven times faster! So if you’re engraving a bunch of smaller items, or just want to get through a project quicker, the Aurora Lite is a game-changer.

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What Can You Mark with a Fiber Laser?

Most people think of metal when they think of fiber lasers, but they can actually mark a lot of different materials. Here’s a quick list of what you can mark with the Aurora Lite:

• Stainless Steel
• Aluminum
• Brass
• Titanium
• Gold and Silver (yes, you can engrave jewelry!)
• Plastics (certain types, like ABS)
• Ceramics
• Anodized Aluminum
• Leather
• Leatherette
• Powder Coated Stainless Steel

Fiber lasers aren’t great for cutting materials like wood or acrylic. That’s still something you’d use a CO2 laser for. But if your focus is on marking metal, and you want precise, high-quality results, a fiber laser is the way to go.

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5 Key reasons to consider the Aurora Lite Fiber Laser

1. Mark Metal Like a Pro!

If you want to mark metal, a fiber laser is the tool you need. The Aurora Lite can etch, engrave, and anneal metal with no extra sprays or steps. Just load the material and get started. You have an engraving area of about 6 inches by 6 inches and can swap out the lenses in the machine to increase your versatility.

What really sets the Aurora Lite apart is how fast it can move with precision and power. You’re not limited to surface-level marking. You can create 3D engravings that add depth and texture to your projects. And 50-watts of power at 7000 mm/second gives you a ton of options for how you use the machine.

Adding this capability opens up so many new options to you for both business to consumer, and business to business.

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2. Growing Your Business

One of the best things about adding a fiber laser like the Aurora Lite to your shop is how it helps you grow. Being able to engrave metal opens up all kinds of new products you can offer.

Think about it: personalized jewelry, engraved tools, or even custom industrial parts. You can charge higher prices because people value the personalization. If you’re thinking about selling custom engravings on items like keychains or necklaces, this laser is a great way to make a profit. A blank metal piece might cost you $2, and after a quick 30-second engrave, you could sell it for $25 or more.

And since fiber lasers are so fast, you can crank out more products, meaning more sales and more money. This applies to not only metal, but other items, like leatherette patches as well. If your business is hat patches and you get the shapes pre-cut, a fiber laser will knock those out super fast for your customers.

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3. Fiber vs. CO2 Lasers: What’s the Difference?

If you already own a CO2 laser, you might be wondering if you really need a fiber laser too. Both are great for different things, and having both gives you way more flexibility.

Here’s a simple comparison:

Feature	CO2 Laser	Fiber Laser
Materials	Best for non-metals: wood, acrylic, leather, glass, some plastics	Best for metals: stainless steel, aluminum, brass, titanium
Speed	Fast (up to 1,000 mm/sec)	Much faster (up to 7,000 mm/sec)
Precision	Great, especially if working with an RF tube	Incredible, especially for intricate designs
Engraving Area	Larger engraving area (varies by machine)	Smaller (typically 6×6 inches)
Cutting Capability	Great for cutting wood and acrylic	Not really designed for cutting

CO2 lasers are great for working with non-metal materials like wood, leather, and acrylic. They’re also the go-to if you need to cut materials. But if you’re looking to mark metal, a fiber laser is the better choice. And the Aurora Lite is super fast and precise, which makes it perfect for things like jewelry, dog tags, or small custom products.

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4. Speed and Precision That’ll Blow You Away

I can’t say it enough—fiber lasers are FAST. The Aurora Lite can engrave at 7,000 mm/second, which is seven times faster than my CO2 laser. This makes it perfect for high-volume jobs or when you just need to get something done quickly.

On top of that, the precision is amazing. The Aurora Lite has a tiny 0.026mm dot size, which means you can engrave super fine details. This is great for things like intricate designs or small text that needs to be really sharp.

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5. A Fiber Laser that is Easy and Safe to Use Anywhere

One of my favorite things about the Aurora Lite is how easy it is to use. It’s fully enclosed, so you don’t have to worry about stray laser beams or making a mess. Plus, it comes with an Ecowatt fan for venting, so you don’t need to worry about fumes hanging around.

If you’ve ever used an open-frame laser, you know it can be a bit chaotic. The enclosure on the Aurora Lite keeps everything contained, which is especially nice if you’re in a small space or working at home.

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Should You Get the Aurora Lite?

In short? Yes. The Aurora Lite is a great addition if you want to start engraving metal or need a faster, more precise way to handle your projects. Thunder Laser’s build quality is always solid, and the speed and precision of this machine make it a powerhouse.

While the Aurora lite does not come with a camera or an Auto-focus, but I haven’t found either of those pieces to be an issue or limiting. Since I’m very comfortable in LightBurn and it is compatible with the Aurora Lite, I find using framing and the two-dot focus method works fine for my needs.

Whether you’re making custom jewelry, engraving tools, or just experimenting with new materials, the Aurora Lite is an awesome tool to have. If you’ve been thinking about adding a fiber laser to your setup, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

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Final Thoughts

I’m so excited about the possibilities the Aurora Lite is bringing to my shop, and I can’t wait to share more tips and projects as I keep exploring what it can do. Whether you’re new to lasers or a seasoned pro, this machine is worth a look.

Stay tuned for more updates and ideas—this is just the beginning of what the Aurora Lite can do!