Laser Cutting with the Glowforge

Before you can begin Laser Cutting you must set up an account with Glowforge. You can request permission from a Lab Coordinator or have someone with an account add you as an additional user

Turn on the Machine using the switch located on the backside of Laser Cutter

Make sure the vacuum filter is attached and turn on the air filter using the cover that is located on the epilog before starting a job

Place the stock in the machine

The maximum cutting dimensions of the Glowforge Plus are 11 in. x 19.5 in

Materials of thickness 1/4" are called Thick while 1/8" is Medium and 1/48" is Thin

While Glowforges do have the capability to cut out food items this specific machine is not to be used for that purpose

You can go to https://app.glowforge.com/ and log in once you have an account. Our Glowforge's name is Wanda

Glowforge has a catalog of different designs that you can select from or you can upload your own project

Once a file is selected, you will actively be able to see the bed of the laser cutter using the embedded camera

Here is where you can move, rotate, and scale your design, you may also import additional files to cut on the same project

In the top left hand corner you will be able to select the stock material you wish to use and that will load the associated laser settings

You may then select what parts of your file that you would like to cut, engrave or score

Cuts will go all the way through the stock

Engraving carves into the top part of the material to etch out shapes or text

Scoring is like a low powered cut; makes a single pass over a path without cutting all the way through the material

The Glowforge also has the capability to trace bed images

This is done by drawing directly on the stock and then selecting the paths in the software

For every each action (Cut/Engrvae/Score) you must select a different line path

Place your stock in the bed of the laser cutter, making sure that it lays flat and that the door is closed

Send the file to the laser cutter using the icons in the upper righthand part of the screen

Press the start button on the machine to begin the job, you can monitor the progress of the print on your computer screen

Make sure the air filter is on!

Turn off the Glowforge before conducting Maintenance

Whenever there is a build up of debris you can clean out the crumb tray by removing the bed

Open the lid and swing down the front door so you can slid the crumb tray out towards you

Brush off any debris in the trash can and wipe down the metal floor of the Glowforge

Be careful not to knock the tray into the printer head or the rails and that it is sitting properly in all four dimples

After every 40 hours of print time the lens should be cleaned

Turn off the Glowforge before conducting Maintenance

Grasp the printer head and pull gently up and back to remove

Use a lens cleaning cloth to gently wipe over both windows on either side of the lens

Use the blue magnetic tool to remove the lens from the print head

Making sure to only touch the metal ring, wipe the lens with the cloth

With the 'Install' side of the blue tool place the lens back in the print head

You can now place the print head back in the Laser Cutter and will hear a small click when it is fully attached