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--- hardware:glowforge [2025/12/28 01:30] – created Hayden
+++ hardware:glowforge [2026/01/10 08:19] (current) – added design guide Hayden
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 ====== Glowforge ======
+The Glowforge is a consumer friendly laser engraver. It features a 40w CO2 laser tube and a web app for control. The user interface on the machine consist of a single button. This button starts a job and pauses a job. All operations should be just a single quick press.
+===== Usage =====
+==== Design ====
+- File types accepted: SVG, PDF, JPG, PNG
+- Preferred is SVG
+- Each layer of a SVG will be a layer in the web app
+- Text in a SVG should be rendered to paths
+- JPG and PNG can only be used to engrave
+==== Initial Setup ====
+. Ask a member of the facilities team about using the laser.
+. Undergo the laser training and safety briefing.
+. A member of the facilities team then adds your email to the Glowforge app.
+. Check your email for an invite to the Glowforge app.
+. Make your Glowforge app account.
+==== Doing the Thing ====
+. Go to: https://app.glowforge.com/
+. Click on "Create New Design" in the top left.
+. Select which option is best for your design. (probably upload file)
+. Position your material to cut or engrave in the Glowforge.
+. Close the lid of the Glowforge.
+. In the Glowforge web app, select your material if there is a preset, or set the height of your material if there is not.
+. Use the focus button (the corners of a square with a circle in it, in the top right) and select roughly where on your material you want to cut/engrave.
+. Place and scale your design.
+. For each layer in your design, set what laser mode and power you want.
+. Ensure all settings and positioning is correct.
+. Hit the "Print" button in the top right.
+. Walk over to the Glowforge and contemplate that all is as it should be.
+. Hit the flashing white button on the top of the Glowforge when ready.
+. Make sure your material is not igniting / gawk at the destruction you have brought upon this world.
+. If your material is on fire, hit the white button to pause the Glowforge.
+. Stay around the Glowforge until your job is finished.
+. Once your job is finished, unload all of your material.
+. Try and pick out all the small scraps of material.
+===== Materials =====
+**GOOD**
+-  Cutting and Engraving: Wood, fabric, leather, paper, cardboard, plexiglass, Delrin, mylar, rubber, cork, sandpaper, food, etc.
+-  Engraving Only: Glass, marble, rubber stamps, stone, ceramic tile, anodized aluminum, titanium, etc.
+**OKAY**
+- Polystyrene, fiberglass, polyester resins.
+**DO NOT**
+- Vinyl, pvc, epoxy based resins, polycarbonate, ABS, and polypropylene. Cutting PVC / vinyl with a laser cutter releases chlorine gas.
+- If you are not sure, ask a member of the facilities team.
+===== Specs =====
+   DIMENSIONS
+-  Glowforge exterior: 965 x 527 x 210mm
+-  Air filter exterior: 965mm x 527mm x 178mm
+   WORK AREA
+-  Maximum material depth: 455 mm
+-  Maximum material width: 515 mm
+-  Cutting area: 279 mm deep / 495 mm wide
+-  Maximum material height: 50mm
+-  Maximum material height with tray: 13mm
+   MATERIALS
+-  Cutting and Engraving: Wood, fabric, leather, paper, cardboard, plexiglass, Delrin, mylar, rubber, cork, sandpaper, food, etc.
+-  Engraving Only: Glass, marble, rubber stamps, stone, ceramic tile, anodized aluminum, titanium, etc.
+   CAMERAS
+-  Wide Angle Camera: Mounted on the lid, provides a view of the entire printable area, accurate within 0.25″ (6mm)
+-  Macro Camera: Mounted on the head, provides extreme up-close information for autofocus, accurate within 0.004″ (0.1mm)
+   LASER SPECIFICATIONS
+-  Laser Type: CO2 Laser — Custom CO2 glass laser tube capable of continuous operation at 10,600 nm; rated at 40 watts
+-  Fixed Alignment: Factory calibrated optical system
+-  Sealed Optics: Enclosed optical path with cleanable and replaceable windows protects the laser optics