Testing/Adjusting Peripheral Systems using The TL Timer

Preface: This article covers information about the new TL timers in the V8 and V9 generations. Please use the Table Of Contents to get to the pertinent section.

The TL-Timer is an IO interface board for Thunder Laser machines. It will control laser machines periphery like air pump, exhaust fan, warning lights, heat alarm detector, electrical locks and lot of other stuff automatically. This will increase the ease of use of your laser machine. Depending on the vintage and version of your TL Timer, not all features will be present.

Here is a video that runs through the channels on the TL timer. You can use the TL timer to manually activate a device for troubleshooting.

Here is the schematic diagram for the V8 (8 channel) TL-Timer:

• Nova Series DSP TL Timer V8 2019 Block Diagram
• Nova Series DSP TL Timer Mid 2022 Block Diagram v8.4

About TL-Timer Controller Interface and Buttons Description (V8)

Location of the V8.x TL Timer

TL Timer V8 Operation Modes

Normal use:

-The TL-Timer is selected Auto mode as factory setting as set by the switch marked as item 25.

-Under Auto mode, when the laser is not at processing a job, the applicable outputs will be off; When the laser is processing a job, the applicable outputs start, after the job finished, the applicable outputs will stop after the preset times for each channel elapses.

-Under Manual mode, when the laser is powered on, the air assist and exhaust fan will be on all the time.

-Each "OUT" interface has a freely adjustable delay time from 0-99 seconds.

Set up delay time:

Generally, there's only need to set up the delay time for air assist and exhaust fan, so they can be delay to shutdown according to your need. The default for air assist is 10 second, and for exhaust fan is 15 second.

Click "Set" button to select from OUT1 to OUT8 interface and the LED light display will show you the delay time in second for each interface. On each interface, click "down" or "up" button you can change the value, then click "Set" button to confirm and go into the next interface. On the OUT8 interface, click again the "Set" button, the display will be off and exit the delay time setup.

Here is a video that runs through the channels on the TL timer. You can use the TL timer to manually activate a device for troubleshooting.

Here is the schematic diagram for the V9 (11 channel) TL-Timer:

• Aurora 2.0 Series Wiring Diagram TL Timer v9.3
• Thunder Bolt Tl Timer V9.2 Wiring Diagram September 2023 aka Schematics
• Thunder Bolt Tl Timer V9.3 Wiring Diagram September 2023 aka Schematics
• Thunder Bolt Tl Timer V9.4 Wiring Diagram September 2023 aka Schematics
• Thunder Bolt Plus and Pro Tl Timer V9.4 Wiring Diagram December 2023 aka Schematics

About TL-Timer Controller Interface and Buttons Description (V9)

Location of the V9.x TL Timer

TL Timer V9 Operation Modes

Normal use:

The TL-Timer is selected Auto mode as factory setting. The manual mode does nothing on the V9 TL timer currently.

Each "OUT" interface has a freely adjustable delay time from 0-99 seconds.

Set up delay time:

Generally, there's only need to set up the delay time for air assist and exhaust fan, so they can be delay to shutdown according to your need.

For Aurora Exhaust:
Click "Set" button to select from OUT1 to OUT8 interface and the LED light display will show you the delay time in second for each interface. On each interface, click "down" or "up" button you can change the value, then click "Set" button to confirm and go into the next interface. On the OUT8 interface, click again the "Set" button, the display will be off and exit the delay time setup.

For Bolt Exhaust and Air Assist:
Use the "External Devices" Screen on the Menu of the Laser Machine Control panel to set the start and End Delays for the Exhaust and Air Assist.