Glowforge Laser
Laser Safety
The laser cutter/engraver requires constant monitoring to ensure the safety of you and others in the makerspace. You must follow these rules when using the laser cutter/engraver:
Never leave the laser when it is operating.
The laser requires constant supervision during the entire cutting and engraving process. Exposure to the laser beam may cause ignition of combustible materials which can lead to a fire.+_
Laser cutters are only operable while staff with training are present to monitor.
Remember the buddy system- there must be a second person within earshot of you while working on the laser.
Be prepared with a fire extinguisher.
Any operation of the laser system is a potential fire hazard.
Most, if not all, materials are combustible in certain circumstances. Acrylic is especially flammable when vector cutting. Wood, paper, and plastics can all combust.
Notify a technician immediately, even if a fire is small and easily extinguished. It’s important to know why it occurred, assess any damage, and prevent it from repeating. Any fire lasting more than half a second must be controlled. The first steps are to cancel the laser job and to open the door of the laser.
Clean the area and the laser.
Clean around the machine and keep the area free of clutter. A buildup of cutting and engraving residue and debris is dangerous and can create a fire hazard.
Regularly remove the Vector Cutting Table to clean any small pieces that have fallen through the grid.
Glowforge Tutorial
1.
Turn on the Glowforge and the ventilation fan
The power button can be found on the back of the Glowforge.
Underneath the table the Glowforge sits on is the ventilation fan. The red power button can be found on its right side.
2.
Put your material in the laser bed
Open the lid of the machine to load and position material. Make sure the material is positioned correctly within the engraving area, against the top left corner.
3.
Close the lid
4.
Open the Glowforge software
Use the Glowforge software on one of the makerspace computers. Ask an intern if you need help.
5.
Create a new project
On the dashboard, click Create and then Upload from file.
Find the file you want to engrave or cut. Compatible picture formats include JPG, PNG, and SVG
6.
Identify material
Click at the the top left corner of the screen and selecting from the drop down menu of available materials.
Please ask a Makerspace intern if you are unsure which material to choose.
This should be done before the material is placed in the machine.
7.
Place your design
Drag your whole design to place it where you want it on your material.
Once this is placed, you will be able to adjust the image by using the corner feature to make the image smaller/ larger and center the image to your desired place.
When the image is adjusted it should be completely lined up with the way that you want the machine to cut.
8.
Click Print
When you are satisfied with the placement of your design, click PRINT in the app
9.
Select the print button on the machine
When the button on your Glowforge button starts glowing, press it and watch it print.
