The Glowforge is different from our 3D printer. It uses subtractive manufacturing while traditional 3D printers use additive manufacturing. A 3D printer builds up material, like plastic filament, layer by layer. With Glowforge, you put a piece of material like leather, wood, or acrylic in the machine and it carves out the product using laser light. The technical name for the category of tools that includes Glowforge is a CNC laser cutter engraver, but that's a mouthful, so the company calls it a 3D laser printer.
Features
- Print Area: The Glowforge bed can accommodate materials measuring 12” x 20". The size may be reduced somewhat when the laser operates at high speed, as it can take space for the laser to decelerate.
- Files can be submitted in JPEG, PNG, SVG or PDF format.
- Uses Glowforge software
- Project run time cannot exceed 4 hours.
What You'll Need
To have a print job printed at the library, you will need to stop by the library and pick up a copy of the Glowforge Guidelines and Policies and the Glowforge Request Form. Read the Guidelines completely so you have a thorough understanding of the policies, including any restrictions.
Or CLICK HERE to print the form.
You will also need to determine the material you wish to have used for your project. At this time, we are restricting the material to only select Glowforge Proofgrade™ materials. These materials may be purchased locally from JOANN Fabric and Crafts, Michaels, or from the library, but there is a limited selection at this time. You may check with the Glowforge operator to make sure we have the material(s) you wish to be used in stock. For a price list, please see below.
Once you've selected your design and materials, simply save the custom or selected design on a flash drive, fill out the Glowforge request form, and pay for the material to be used. To actually have your design completed, a flat fee of $2.00 plus $0.10 per minute of laser time used (rounded to the nearest minute) will be assessed for each file submitted. Projects are completed on a first come basis and you will be called when your item is completed. The library does reserve the right to refuse any Glowforge request. Also, the library cannot guarantee file print, engrave, or cut ability, nor confidentiality of designs. Removal of the masking on items is up to the patron.
For more information please read the Glowforge Guidelines and Policies and the Glowforge Request form thoroughly.
Cost
The total cost of Glowforge projects at the library will include the flat rate of $2.00, the cost of Proofgrade™ materials, plus $0.10 per minute of laser time used rounded to the nearest minute.
Glowforge services are available to library card holders in good standing only.
Glowforge "Proof Grade" materials
The price listed is the cost that Glowforge charges the library for the material. [Note: The library cannot cut sheets. When purchasing the material, you will be purchasing the entire sheet, but you will be able to keep the unused portion.]
Hardwood (Unfinished) --$10.00 per sheet
Options: Walnut, Red Oak, Ash, Maple, Cherry
Leather & Leatherette -- $10.00 per sheet
Plywood -- $5.00 per sheet
Acrylic --$6.00 per sheet
Options: Check with staff to see all the current options
Draftboard --$4.00 per sheet
Cardboard -- $1.00 per sheet
Why can't I use my own material?
A Glowforge is like a microwave - putting the wrong material in can damage it. Some plywoods can have glues that make them difficult to cut, and unknown plastics and other materials can be something other than they appear, so materials from other suppliers may not really be laser-compatible. Items that are pre-painted or lacquered, leather that is treated for consumer use, etc. may all contain flammable materials and the laser cutter could trigger a fire. Proofgrade™ materials on the other hand are specially formulated for the Glowforge 3D laser printer and are most likely to give the best quality prints.
Please Note:
The library will NOT create any item that is prohibited by local, state, or federal laws; is unsafe, harmful, dangerous or poses an immediate threat to the well being of others; is obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the library environment; or is in violation of another's intellectual property rights.
Documentation and Other Helpful Links
Thingiverse -- A small online collection of projects created by site users.