How to Flash Screen (HMI) and Controller (DSP) Firmware on a Thunder Bolt Laser using the Screen and USB

How to Flash Screen (HMI) and Controller (DSP) Firmware on a Thunder Bolt Laser using the Screen and USB

Preface: This article covers flashing the firmware on your Bolt, for either the Screen or the Controller.


Be sure to perform this only under the guidance of Thunder Laser USA. Make sure you have stable power and have time to be at the machine. Failure to perform this procedure correctly can cause hardware failure.


Quick Start Guide:


Video on How to Flash the HMI Screen and DSP Controller:



Complete Guide:


Thunder advises that you update update the HMI screen first and please don't cyle the machine, then update the Ruida DSP controller, both to the latest available firmware that can be gotten from support@thunderlaserusa.com.


Where to get the Latest Firmware:

Email support@thunderlaserusa.com for the latest firmware. We do not recommend downloading it from a 3rd party source like "A person on Facebook" or similar. Email support with a picture of your serial plate and current firmware version.

How to Find your Current Firmware Version:

Press the Menu button and then the Right Arrow button.


Press the System Info Button


Firmware for your HMI and Controller will be displayed:



Prepare your USB Stick with the Firmware Files:

Copy the firmware files you were sent from Thunder to the ROOT of the USB stick, the files should not be in a folder or zipped up.


Ruida DSP Controller Firmware files have a .upd extension
Screen HMI Firmware files have a .hmt extension




Flash the Firmware Initial Steps for Both the Screen and Controller:

Start up the Bolt. Let it home like normal so that you can get a clear menu screen.  The steps for flashing the HMI Screen and the Ruida DSP controller are similar. This guide will start with the basic process and then branch off to each piece of hardware.

Common Steps for flashing the Screen or the Controller:

Insert your Prepared USB stick with files into the USB port on the main screen as shown:



Press the Menu Button:




Press the U Disk button:



The instructions after this step will branch on depending on whether you want to flash the firmware of the Screen or the Controller. Choose the appropriate section.

To Flash the HMI Screen:


Press the HMI button:



Screen is Upgrading Message:
If the screen can read an appropriate update file, then you will get this message that it is upgrading. It will take 5-10 minutes.



Screen Upgrade Complete:

!!!DO NOT CYCLE POWER AFTER UPDATING THE HMI!!!
Once the upgrade is complete, you will get this message. Press OK and then do the next step to flash the Board firmware. 




To Flash the Ruida DSP Controller:

Press the Board button:


Controller Upgrading Message:

If the screen can read an appropriate update file, then you will get this message that it is upgrading.  It will take 1-2 minutes.



Controller Upgrade Complete:



Power cycle the machine.

Possible Errors and Messages:

Failed to read U Disk:
Generally this means the USB stick cannot be read. Even if a USB is inserted but without files, you will not get this message.


Upgrade Timed Out or did not complete:
Try it Again. If it fails repeatedly, email support@thunderlaserusa.com

Error Condition After Trying to Flash:

If you attempt to flash firmware without any files on the USB stick, the screen will continue to wait until it can read the file. Other Screen and Machine functions may not work properly. Remove the USB stick from the Screen and acknowledge the error message that pops up. If you leave the USB inserted, the screen will likely stay hung up on trying to read.


Reference Articles:



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