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If you’re looking for an easy to use capable laser cutter look no further than the Glowforge. The Glowforge is capable of cutting, engraving, and scoring a wide variety of materials. The provided software is also easy to use and intuitive for beginners.
The Glowforge
The Glowforge comes in three different levels. There is basic, plus, and pro. Each step up comes with additional features. The unit I have is just the basic providing a 12 inch by 20 inch work area and a 40W laser. As you step up to the plus there is improved hardware providing double the speed for all operations. The pro gives you a 45W laser, three times speed over the basic, and a pass-through for working with long objects.
When you order a Glowforge it comes packed in a pair of boxes. The main box containing the Glowforge itself, and a second box with parts and some starting materials. The packaging is well done and sure to protect the Glowforge.
Glowforge sends instructions on how to unpack the unit. You can also find instructions online. The online instructions continue along to the setup tool needed after unpacking to get your Glowforge connected.
As you unpack your Glowforge it’s a good idea to unpack where you plan to use it. Ideally you’ll place it where it is on a stable raised surface near a vent of some kind. I have mine installed near a windows on top of a rolling table so I can move it around easily.
While unpacking it’s important to keep all of the packing for if you need to send it back, and to use for moving the Glowforge. Packed in the boxes are the laser tube and mirror that need to be installed. Once those are installed and you connect a vent your Glowforge is ready for setup.
Setting Up the Glowforge
Once you have the Glowforge unboxed and the laser and mirror installed it’s time for setup. Setup on the Glowforge is primarily around getting it connected to Wi-Fi so that you can use it. The actual setup procedure was the point where I hit my only negative with the Glowforge.
During my setup process when I got to the step to connect to Wi-Fi and kept hitting an error where it would not connect. After dealing with the amazing support from Glowforge the issue was actually that the unit needed to update. My negative point is that the UI during setup does a poor job actually informing the user of what is happening.
This also brings up another point about the Glowforge. In order to use your Glowforge it needs to be connected to Wi-Fi with an internet connection. If you need to be able to use a laser cutter where you don’t have Wi-Fi and internet the Glowforge is not for you.
The Software
If you have used the design space from Cricut you will see some similarities to the Glowforge software. Glowforge has some basic design creation built into their software. If you purchase the subscription it unlocks more creation options. I have been using Inkscape as my primary tool for creating designs.
Where the Glowforge shows off is the ability to create from the camera. Built into the Glowforge is a camera that is used to calibrate and detect materials in the Glowforge. This camera can also be used to take a picture of drawings laid in the Glowforge. The Glowforge software can then take the picture and use it as the design for cutting and engraving.
When you first open up the online design space you’ll see a display of both previously created designs and designs from other people. This makes it easy to recreate previous designs without having to re-upload. The landing page is also where you will see the create button for making a new design.
The Design Space
Once you upload a new design or decide to create another copy of an existing design you are taken to the design space. The best thing about the Glowforge design space is that it shows an image of the inside of the Glowforge. That view means you can easily use a piece you have already done some cuts on to get the most out of a single piece of material.
Once you have placed your design the next step is setting the operations for the Glowforge to perform. Depending on the file type of the design you may be limited to just engrave. For most designs you will decide the order of operations and type of operations based on color. Where the Cricut uses layers for operations the Glowforge uses colors in the designs. Each color in the design gets separated into a layer.
The design space is also where you pick the material so the Glowforge can use the correct power and speed. You can manually set the values for your own materials if you want. If you are using the proof-grade materials from Glowforge the software will detect the material based on a QR code. The materials from Glowforge have been tested and are manufactured for use with their laser.
Making an Object
Now that we’ve been through a basic overview of the Glowforge it’s time to make something. The object in question is a magnet for a local auto shop. My wife and I are friends with the owners and have been trying a few ideas for promotional items for them. The magnet itself will be made from acrylic and painted to add additional colors. For this demo I’ll just be going through the process of etching and cutting out the acrylic.
Initial Setup
Before we start printing there is some initial setup on the Glowforge we need to do. First is to hook up the vent to the outside to vent any fumes. Next is to turn the unit on so it can begin calibrating. Finally we need to put the material we are using on the bed.
Upload and Placement
The first step in making anything is uploading the object to the Glowforge software. Once uploaded the app will process the image to split it out into layers if applicable. Once the image has been processed you will be taken to the design space.
From here you will set the actions that you want done for the various layers. You will also set the order the actions are taken in. The order is important as you don’t want the piece shifting because you did the outside cut first.
Once the actions are set you can adjust the location of the object in the print bed. There is a margin around the extreme edges that the Glowforge will alert you to. Otherwise you can place an object anywhere in the space. Once placed you are ready to print.
Printing
Once you have the actions, orders, placement, and material set you can click on print in the upper right corner. The Glowforge app will then set about calculating the actions the laser needs to take to produce the requested output. Depending on complexity this calculation time can be quick or a couple of seconds. Once calculated you will be presented with an estimated time.
Now it’s time to press the big glowing button on the Glowforge and let it start printing.
Removal and Weeding
Once the Glowforge is finished and has vented any excess fumes it’s time to remove the object. Depending on the cuts it can sometimes be easier to lift the material around the cut vs the object directly. You will also need to watch for any small objects that might fall into the crumb tray.
Once you have removed the object from the Glowforge you will need to remove the masking material. This process can be varying levels of easy to complicated depending on the object and material. For acrylic I remove the large sections by hand then wash off the smaller parts. This process takes the object from looking like on the left below to the right.
Finishing
For this object I will be painting the etched area at a later date. For most objects I make the weeding is the final step. You can get great objects from the Glowforge with just the etch, score, and cut functions. You can take it to the next level with minimal extra effort around painting or other finishing touches.
Example Objects
The following are a few objects I have made that you can try. For each one I will include the file I used as well as some basic information and a picture of the finished file.
Steam Engine Key Ring
This key ring is made using draft board on the Glowforge. It is set up to perform all of the center cuts before the outside cuts. Once cut it requires glue and some 1/8th inch brass rod. The assembly itself is fairly straightforward. The holes in the various parts are designed to be a press fit in some places, and loose in others.
The order of assembly I used is as follows:
- Glue the base, piston surround, and top cover together
- Place the crank pin into the crank making sure it is flush on the back side so as to not catch
- Assemble the flywheel, base, and crank onto the center axle, make sure the axle dos not protrude from the crank
- Assemble the piston with the connecting rod and guide, these should go guide, then piston, then connecting rod
- Ensure the piston pin does not protrude through the back of the guide
- Insert the piston into the top and the connecting rod attached to the crank pin, care should be taken to ensure the guide lands in its slot
Butterfly Ornament
I made this ornament for family members the first Christmas after Lucas had passed away. The file itself just has the cut out for the ornament and the butterfly. For the butterfly I set the Glowforge to score the outline. After the ornament was cut I went in and hand painted the butterfly with a gold leaf paint. The Lucas written at the bottom was done using the camera on the Glowforge to engrave a copy of his name that I helped him write on a card.
This ornament could easily be adapted to have other shapes or designs in the min area. This is a simple, but thoughtful gift that you can make for anyone.
Happily Ever After Cake Topper
This Disney themed cake topper is one that I made for my brother’s wedding. He provided me with the design based on one he had seen online. For his topper I ended up using draft board and leaving the masking paper on the wood. This gave the resulting topper the warm look you see in the photo. The cut itself is divided into three layers due to the nested internal geometry.
Conclusion
As a beginner laser cutter I can strongly recommend the Glowforge. I have used it for multiple projects in various materials. With each project it has performed amazingly. I’ve made key chains, gift tags, and ornaments for other people and received nothing but praise about the resulting object.
If you have been looking at laser engravers or cutters and keep getting lost in the technically pieces then the Glowforge is for you. I will say it may not be the cheapest option, but it makes up for it in usability. On top of that the proof grade materials from Glowforge are high quality and a good value.
If you do decide to get a Glowforge feel free to use my referral link.