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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 ====

1. Ask a member of the facilities team about using the laser.
2. Undergo the laser training and safety briefing.
3. A member of the facilities team then adds your email to the Glowforge app.
4. Check your email for an invite to the Glowforge app.
5. Make your Glowforge app account.

==== Doing the Thing ====

1. Go to: https://app.glowforge.com/
2. Click on "Create New Design" in the top left.
3. Select which option is best for your design. (probably upload file)
4. Position your material to cut or engrave in the Glowforge.
5. Close the lid of the Glowforge.
6. In the Glowforge web app, select your material if there is a preset, or set the height of your material if there is not.
7. 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.
8. Place and scale your design.
9. For each layer in your design, set what laser mode and power you want.
10. Ensure all settings and positioning is correct.
11. Hit the "Print" button in the top right.
12. Walk over to the Glowforge and contemplate that all is as it should be.
13. Hit the flashing white button on the top of the Glowforge when ready.
14. Make sure your material is not igniting / gawk at the destruction you have brought upon this world.
15. If your material is on fire, hit the white button to pause the Glowforge.
16. Stay around the Glowforge until your job is finished.
17. Once your job is finished, unload all of your material.
18. 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