Amazing printer for engraving

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Where you been? That thing has people going crazy! How they are going to meet production is beyond my comprehension. There aren't that many cheap laser tubes in the world to meet the demand they have on order. They don't even have a working production unit yet, and they have something like 20,000+ on order. They don't have a rotary attachment, and the z axis is really small. You don't need the rotary to do a single line for a name, but you do need it for cutting like all those subject pen blanks. I don't care for the way it has been marketed. Calling it a 3d printer, and showing it being used by the family in the kitchen borders on being irresponsible to me. The laser will cause eye damage and certainly start a fire. In some answers, they talk about it being in the same class as a DVD player. Never seen a DVD player cut a flammable material! It will REALLY be interesting when they will finally deliver all those units. Some folks are really going to have to be patient!
 
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There was at least one thread on here early on in its offering when It had only sold around $5mil. It has great potential for some things but a rotary option is not yet available.
I kept hovering my mouse over the buy one button but couldnt figure out what I would really use one for. I dont do box or plaque engraving. I dont need to cut cardboard or chocolate in to shapes. It looked like it would really be neat for someone who does crafts. My wife was surprised I hadn't committed to one already. In the end i decided to pass.
 
oneleggimp said:
Jontello said:
Came across this online. Wish I had spare change to buy this. It would be great for engraving pens and boxes or pretty much anything.

https://glowforge.com

Thought I would share.
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Only thing I'v wondered about is going around the pen. Most applications require a rotating accessorie for round/cylindrical objects.
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I actually emailed them about this very thing a few weeks ago. here is their reply:

Hi Nic-
That's a great idea for a feature - thanks for the suggestion! We haven't announced anything like that yet, but I'm going to send it to our product team with a note that it came from a customer request.
Right now, if you need something engraved on all sides, then unfortunately Glowforge will not work. There is no 4th axis rotary adapter, and there's not enough room inside for larger round objects like glasses and bottles.
We are fans of Epilog machines; they do have adapters for this sort of work, and are very high quality hardware.
Thanks,
Nina

So, aside from having a huge amount of potential, the one thing I have been looking for, they do not offer as of yet.
 
I almost pulled the trigger twice, but both times convinced myself that it would be money poorly spent until it's determined if they can meet the demand they have already generated and if it's actually going to be as easy to use as the demos suggest.

Adding a 4th axis wouldn't be out of the question by swapping out the Y axis connection with an A axis connection, but the height restriction pretty much kills that capability.

Honestly if you can deal with the learning curve of the software, some of the china based laser engravers would be a better option for much cheaper or just save up for the Full Spectrum or Epilog machines and do it right from the start.
 
Here is the response I got after posting to their Facebook page:

Glowforge said:
Glowforge accommodates items up to 1.5" tall with the tray removed and can focus over a 0.5" distance. If you have something that will fit inside, like a spice jar or a hip flask-sized bottle, then it can engrave over the curved surface without difficulty.

If you need something engraved on all sides, however, then unfortunately Glowforge will not work. There is no 4th axis rotary adapter, and there's not enough room inside for larger round objects like glasses and bottles.

We are fans of Epilog machines; they do have adapters for this sort of work, and are very high quality hardware.
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Sappheiros said:
Here is the response I got after posting to their Facebook page:

Glowforge said:
Glowforge accommodates items up to 1.5" tall with the tray removed and can focus over a 0.5" distance. If you have something that will fit inside, like a spice jar or a hip flask-sized bottle, then it can engrave over the curved surface without difficulty.

If you need something engraved on all sides, however, then unfortunately Glowforge will not work. There is no 4th axis rotary adapter, and there's not enough room inside for larger round objects like glasses and bottles.

We are fans of Epilog machines; they do have adapters for this sort of work, and are very high quality hardware.
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.5" of distance? That's a lot for fine detail engraving. Especially in glass which doesn't engrave well to start with.
 
I feel like it could be good for "branding" a pen. Or maybe even doing single side engravings. Chances are, though, an engraving machine would work best... Wow. This does get to be an expensive hobby! :D
 
Sappheiros said:
Here is the response I got after posting to their Facebook page:

Glowforge said:
Glowforge accommodates items up to 1.5" tall with the tray removed and can focus over a 0.5" distance. If you have something that will fit inside, like a spice jar or a hip flask-sized bottle, then it can engrave over the curved surface without difficulty.

If you need something engraved on all sides, however, then unfortunately Glowforge will not work. There is no 4th axis rotary adapter, and there's not enough room inside for larger round objects like glasses and bottles.

We are fans of Epilog machines; they do have adapters for this sort of work, and are very high quality hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

You have to give them credit for "class" in their reply. Instead of making excuses, they acknowledge that their machine does not have the capability to do round objects at this time and recommend a competitor. That's classy in my opinion.
 
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