You didn’t, but you also agreed to receiving a unit with software in beta, and agreed to accepting it with only certain things working, some partly working, and a whole lot not at all working.
Or did you read those pages wrong?
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There is understandable confusion with the images. I don’t know how or why but they are different. When you open a file initially and place it according to the bed image, the laser will burn it right there.
The camera image post op is slightly displaced from the actual engrave, and is easily assumed the laser didn’t engrave where it was supposed to by looking at the post op image.
I learned this on a job where tokens had to be engraved on both sides. After 2-1/2 hours to do the first side, with the sheet of material held in place by magnets, I flipped them all to do the back.
The post op camera image showed a displacement of about 1/4", and I was freaking out that it wasn’t going to register correctly. I knew nothing had moved, so I hit print and it engraved them all perfectly despite the offset image on the screen.
Across 8 months, every file printed right where I had initially placed them, and every post op image showed the displacement from where the actual engrave was.
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Well I guess i’m crazy for thinking a 2 year delay would have allowed them to deliver units with less issues and get their software more refined. I get that delays happen, I am a mechanical engineer and have had to delay projects myself, but 2 years… lol.
I am also guessing I missed this announcement stating that alignment doesn’t work yet. All I saw was that agreement box saying that our unit might be scuffed and somethings were being fine tuned still.
I just didn’t know it was that one of the key selling points doesn’t really work. I don’t think this is a ridiculous expectation, but to each their own. We will see what happens over time.
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I’m so sorry we missed your message.
The software on your Glowforge is responsible for ensuring that the print lands on the material in the same place as the preview. When you’re done with a print, let a new image load. If the print appears on screen far from where it was supposed to go, you may have an alignment problem.
Most alignment problems come from the material being closer or farther from the camera than expected. While the software is still improving, you can take these steps for the most accurate alignment results:
- Use Proofgrade™ materials.
- If you don’t use Proofgrade materials, use a precision set of calipers to measure your material, and enter the thickness in the “uncertified materials” dialog.
- Use material that is not warped or tilted.
- Place your design near the center of the bed.
- Clean the area underneath your crumb tray, particularly the four indentations on the floor.
- Reboot the machine. Alignment can drift over time, particularly if you bump the head of your Glowforge while removing material.
Should you finish all of these steps, and find that you have an alignment error of more than 1/4", please try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Turn off your Glowforge.
- Check for small pieces of debris or dust.
- Check the lower door to make sure it closes all the way. It may require some force to open, but open it, wipe any dust off the edges, and close it all the way.
- Remove the tray and clean any dust or debris from the surface underneath. Pay careful attention to remove all debris from the four dimples where the tray rests.
- Check the lid to make sure it closes all the way. Small particles of material, such as dust or debris, can prevent it from closing completely.
- Check the surface your Glowforge is on to make sure it’s flat. Ensure it is not twisted slightly and that there is no debris propping up one side of the machine.
- Turn your Glowforge back on.
- We included an extra piece of Proofgrade Draftboard with your materials shipment for troubleshooting. Place Proofgrade Draftboard in the center of the bed and print the Gift of Good Measure using the default settings.
- When the print finishes, without moving your artwork or your material, take a screenshot of the workspace to show us the difference between the artwork placement and the actual print placement. Make sure to include the rulers in your screenshot and show as much of the bed as possible.
- Mac: Press Shift-Command-4 and click and drag a box around your image. You’ll find the screenshot file saved on your desktop.
- Windows: Click on the Start Menu and search for the Snipping Tool. Open the Snipping Tool > New then click and drag a box around your image. Click the Save icon and name and save your file.
- Send us the screenshot along with the date and time of the print, and we’ll investigate.
Thank you.
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