We’ll release a GPL-licensed firmware for Glowforge

Definitely a big item in the feature hopper: detecting issues during printing and reacting properly.

Is there a high temperature alarm circuit inside the GF that will alert the operator to a fire or abnormally high temperature situation?

Well, you should never, ever operate a laser cutter and walk away - even if it’s a long job, you need to stand by and watch it. That said, a piercing siren may still be appropriate in case you get your head stuck in a modeling app!

I agree that it is not a good idea to walk away from a running laser, but an audible alarm and interlock for power would still be a good safety feature. Glowforge is probably studiously avoiding feature creep at this point, but it would be easy enough for qualified users to add a simple alarm.

i have a 3d printer and just like a laser printer you can walk away. that being said theres many time that i wish i never walk away. so coming from experience just dont walk away and keep an eye on it as much as possible.

Smoke detector, is a good option to have in your room anyways.
http://www.amazon.com/X-Sense-Extended-Detector-Photoelectric-Installation/dp/B00VLTSH2M/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1449884913&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=smoke+detector&psc=1

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@spike That’s funny that you mentioned a fire detector. I just picked up a couple z-wave fire/smoke & CO2 detectors. I’ll add them to the home automation system then create a ‘rule’ when if the alarm goes off in that room to kill the power to the z-wave outlet that I plan to plug the GF into. The bonus to that is I’ll get push notifications if that happens and awesome side effect is that particular outlet can also report power usage (amps and watts).

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Now you’re talking my lingo!

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Ooh…coming from a dabbling in professional security, I hadn’t yet seen electrical outlets that were Z-Wave capable. Panels, breaks, fire, CO2, lighting, blind motors, and other things, but not directly on the outlet.
I need to look at that.

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No…really…NEVER walk away from a laser cutter. A 3D printer failure most likely means a bad print. A laser cutter failure could burn your place down. Just don’t do it.

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Yep. For Elf… It’s not like the laser is going to instantly burst into a ball of flames. It’s safe as long as you don’t walk away. Kind of like using a barbeque grill. Keep a little spray bottle of water just in case the material starts to flame. If the flame doesn’t go out on its own, lift the lid and spritz it. And it’s smart to always have a handy extinguisher in any home or shop.

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100000% agree with that!

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correct the consequence are more severe compare to a 3d printer.

OK, I agree too. Someone please locate a decent CO2 extinguisher on Amazon that doesn’t cost a zillion bucks.

I would love to find that elusive beast too, but even the smallest size I can find locally was quoted at around $240cdn. Ouch!

Just start cutting dry ice and you will be fine… :imp:

A quick Google search and I found a number of CO2 extinguisher s for $30 including shipping

I have bought a few CO2 extinguishers at surplus or at auctions for next to nothing (like $5 each).
I bring them to a local place near me and they test, refill, and certify them for about $20 - $30 depending upon size.

If they are not used (and most are not) they don’t wear out, but they might have leaked so you need to get them tested.

I stand corrected. I should have known better. Though I did see some for $90. I’ll just grab my co2 tank from the kegerator and flood the box of the laser with that. … :sunglasses:

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New campaign to be held…somewhere: Vacuum sealed box for GF. No oxygen, no fire. Easily worth another couple thousand a piece right? hmmm…I need to patent this!