Glowforge launches consumer-grade laser cutter

Post by lowboy » Thu, Sep 24, 2015, 11:28 PM UTC

sixQuarks wrote: post #152

troisx wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Negative comments are appropriate in this case. This looked so amazing, but the comments here point out the very important fact that this requires access to the internet to function, something that the co-founder so far hasn't addressed in the comments despite numerous requests for an answer.

The founder addresses this in a video review done by Tested. https://youtu.be/0R3mMUsHFvU?t=13m48s Also, I don't disagree with your comment, I just hate that the top comment always seems to put a damper on every truly promising launch or product - with Dropbox's launch being a famous example.

Post by kelvin0 » Fri, Sep 25, 2015, 12:04 AM UTC

cptskippy wrote: post #49

It's not just cloud connected, it's cloud dependent. It requires internet access and their cloud services to function at all. That's kind of disappointing.

Post by noobermin » Fri, Sep 25, 2015, 12:09 AM UTC

elecengin wrote: post #74

noobermin wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Every issue you mentioned apart from the terrible fumes are problems that already exist in one's home with cooking in your own home, and people, seeing the convenience of cooking in their homes, have adapted to it. Regarding fumes actually, the smell from my neighbor's cooking isn't always to my liking either, but, perhaps, burnt plastic might be worse and equally undesirable to all people.

I think one thing that was not clear are the fumes are extremely toxic. Rarely do you cook where the fumes could make you go unconscious or cause long term health effects. If you dont believe me, check out: [ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1475175/ ]

Post by krasin » Fri, Sep 25, 2015, 12:26 AM UTC

theatrus2 wrote: post #121

paulmd wrote: post #116

This is a pretty neat product. I especially like the continuous-feed idea. I'd really like to do stuff that involves stainless. What would be the cheapest option capable of doing some reasonable sheet stainess? My wallet is cringing at the mere concept, but maybe I could talk a local hackerspace into doing it or something. I've been meaning to build a CNC mini-mill for a while. I think that seems like a more practica…

A CO2 laser will not cut stainless - it won't even mark steel unless you coat it with a special ceramic. You're looking at a very very large fiber / YAG laser to cut it. A low power YAG laser can engrave steel - commercially these start at about $30k

Post by Apofis » Fri, Sep 25, 2015, 12:31 AM UTC

braum wrote: post #132

danshapiro wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(founder/CEO here) I vented a 60W chinese laser out my window for a year in the suburbs, but I've learned never to underestimate what neighbors may complain complain about. The air filter is definitely a good idea. If you do the math on the volume, and compare it to the actual volume of the filter of e.g. a Purex, you'll find it's similar. Almost half of the volume of the Purex is in the fans or open airspace; we hav…

Is it true the machine requires connection to internet or your cloud to cut or engrave? I was about to order a Pro until I read this in the comments. I expect to be able to use this machine with my laptop running some program and "send to laser", no internet connection required.