Thunder Laser: Leveling Up Season 10

Innovation waits for no one, especially when you only have 48 hours. As we gear up for Season 10, the pressure is on for our teams to prototype faster with more precision than ever before. That’s why we are pleased to announce that Thunder Laser is officially joining the Make48 family as a key product placement partner!

For a decade, Make48 has been about proving that great ideas can come from anywhere. But to turn those ideas into reality, you need tools that you can trust. 

By bringing Thunder Laser onto the competition floor, we aren't just adding a logo to the banner; we are putting professional grade manufacturing power directly into the hands of our makers.

Thunder Laser Bolt Series

We spoke to Tom Gray (Co-founder, Make48) about this appealing partnership. “We’ve seen Thunder Laser gaining massive popularity in the maker community, and for good reason. Bringing the Thunder Bolt onto our floor gives us industrial-grade power in a compact footprint. Because these machines use RF technology, they are incredibly efficient and precise, which allows us to process variable materials with significantly less downtime. In a 48-hour window, that speed isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity for our teams to iterate quickly.”

If you’ve been in the maker community for long, you know the name. Trusted by over 10,000 small businesses, schools, and creators across the U.S., Thunder Laser has built a reputation for being the ‘workhorse’ of the laser world.

For our teams, this partnership changes the game in a huge way. In a 48-hour invention sprint, a clunky setup process can halt momentum and slow down a team's process. “I love the fact that we can use one machine to handle multiple materials rather than sourcing three different tools and three different experts,” Mr. Gray explained. “When the clock is ticking, confusion is the enemy. Having a single, versatile workstation minimizes setup time and ensures accurate precision across the board. Whether a team is cutting acrylic or engraving leather, they can stay in one lane and get the job done efficiently.”

Thunder Laser machines are engineered for minimal setup time and intuitive control. Whether it’s a first-time user or a seasoned pro, our Tool Techs can walk up,  plug in, and get consistent results immediately. That speed is invaluable when the clock is ticking.

Our challenges are unpredictable. One team might be working with acrylic, while another needs to engrave leather or cut intricate wood patterns. Thunder Laser’s CO₂ systems handle it all. From custom signs and product prototypes to detailed functional parts, these machines ensure that the only limit is the team’s imagination.

Teams are making prototypes to pitch to industry experts. Thunder Laser machines deliver clean, detailed, professional-grade output every time. This allows our teams to present a polished final product that looks shelf-ready, giving them a leg up during the judging phase.

Beyond the specs and the hardware, this partnership makes sense because our values align. Thunder Laser is heavily invested in education and supporting makers – the same people who make up the heart of the Make48 community. Mr. Gray, “At Make48, we believe in ‘learning by doing,’ often having students use professional equipment for the very first time. We need partners whose innovation creates a low barrier to entry, making the customer experience as intuitive as possible for beginners. Thunder Laser aligns perfectly with this because they prioritize education and support. We chose them because they make ‘professional’ accessible, and we know that feeling is mutual.” 

With their focus on US-based support and free one-on-one training, they are dedicated to helping people ‘create with confidence.’ We can’t wait to see the sparks fly this season. Welcome to the team, Thunder Laser!