The last mention of a working prototype was when Dan said their prototype wasn’t working as well as they had hoped and brought in an industry expert to redesign it. I feel that post was sometime between Nov 2017 and Jan 2018, (at that time, my filter ship date moved to April 2018).
I’m still on the fence if I’m going to take the filter or take store credit instead. I keep thinking that if I take the GF to an event, I’ll need it, but am I really going to take the GF to an event? Sure I could buy it later, but it will be more expensive.
Thanks. Remember a Dec 16 post about working with an environmental expert but maybe I missed a comment saying the filter wasn’t working to their standards. I accept your comment as truth but if anyone remembers the specific post would like to check it out for exact wording. I don’t want to mangle the intent in my future posts.
I also pretty clearly remember a post saying that the delay was due to the performance of the filter being below expectation. Part of the reason I remember it is because it was frustratingly vague as to whether it was the prototype design that was not performing to spec or production units were not performing like the prototype. I cannot find this post either, but interestingly, I did find a reference to a post by Dan from October 10, 2017 – which is around the right time – called “Air Filter Update”. As far as I can tell, that post no longer exists.
I can’t say for sure if Dan deleted a post because it actually gave some information, but it would surprise me not at all.
In search of this, I came across some other information-like morsels from Dan in the forums, which I collect for you here so you don’t have to hunt for them the same way I did:
(In response to a question about whether any filters showed up at Maker Faire, given that the lack of any at World Maker Faire the previous year was one of the early indicators that the filters were not on track:)
Given that photos of units were shared more than a year earlier, with the exhaust and air intakes helpfully pointed out, this explanation falls rather flat.
Turns out we were both right. The information about the filter performance issue was in an email to filter customers. As far as I can tell it wasn’t in an official forum post, though it was posted by a forum member. I didn’t order a filter so did not get that email.
I know I saw it somewhere! I was at the point thinking that maybe it was a live video chat or something else outside the site since it wasn’t showing up in search. The search feature in the forum can be hit or miss, but it was bothering me that I couldn’t find it. I starting to think it was the Mandela Effect (or whatever it was called in the last season of the X-Files).
I would assume once they get a working prototype filter unit, they will beta test with select users (either public or private beta). Maybe someone who does nothing but leather to get an idea of how well and how long the filter lasts. (The last time I tried to do leather I have a great idea what wet, burnt dog hair probably smells like. Yes it was PG and made me turn down a paid project involving wool in the GF).
I know there was a couple of questions asked several times about the heat the filter produced. Would the filter increase the temp of air being sucked into the GF by a degree or two? or would back pressure running through the filter be an issue in high heat situations?
Remember a post from dan about the air filter having it"s own exhaust fan(s). If the design is working correctly I wouldn’t think any back pressure is created.
I received an email specific to my Pro Glowforge delivery status on Oct 12th 2017. In my version it did not mention the filter because I did not order a filter. Assume those that ordered a filter received a modified email with text similar to that below. The date of the email may have been the same, or not.
That’s weird. I did not get my email until October 25, and it stated:
We now have a new, estimated shipping date for the Air Filter you ordered. The Air Filter is running behind schedule and has not started production, so the date provided is a more rough estimate, and we’ll be working to refine it.
You can now find the shipping estimate for your Air Filter on your Account Page on Glowforge.com.
I received the updated email on shipment on 10/10/17. Everyone has a different date for scheduled delivery. See below from DAN replying directly to my post via e-mail to me:
I placed my order in April of 2016. The first estimate that I can remember seeing for the air filter was July, then while logging in to check on it months later I noticed it changed to September. I logged in today to confirm that my suspicions of another later date, were true, it’s now November.
A couple of months back I had prepared a lengthy post offering to sell my Glowforge to anyone I could personally deliver it to (avoid shipping costs) as it is sitting on my dining room table waiting for its filter. I wish I hadn’t opted to receive it as soon as it became available as I live in a condo and literally can’t use it without its filter (now it’s extended warranty is depleting month by month with no use). I was a little too excited to receive it and figured I could use the original 5 month wait to build a table for it and set up the room for it. Instead, due to our open floor-plan, it just sits there and mocks me on a daily basis for my own foolish impatience.
Despite being bummed, I will say it is beautiful. And while I dust it every few days I realize I have something else I can prepare for it while I wait for its filter, a dust cover. Has anyone designed/sewed a dust cover for theirs?
And thank you OP for posting this question, I have been wondering for the past several months the same questions.