Discussion of the April '17 update

[palmercr]

Why not feed the output back into the air intakes of the GlowForge. I.e. just recirculate it instead of pumping it into the room.

[Dunfee]

Is this something we will be able to buy in the catalog?

[jamesdhatch]

@Scott.Burns

So conceivably, if someone wanted to vent the filter’s discharge out the window, they could construct a rectangular-ish adapter and attach it to the right side of the filter. It would probably need a small additional fan to compensate for the additional duct resistance.

Unless the filter isn’t working why bother? If it’s working there shouldn’t be any particulate or obnoxious smells in the exhaust air. The exhaust isn’t noticeably warmer now than ambient so it’s not like you’re putting warm/hot air back into the room. The whole point of the filter is to not need to exhaust it outside. If I want to do that, I’d just swap out the elbow air connector to the filter for the connector to the window/wall exhaust.

[PFI-Guy]

Heat build up? Don’t think the filter cools the exhaust.

[palmercr]

Oh yes that might be a flaw in the plan.

[UrJac]

Thanks for the update Dan. Nice to see the details on how this is all coming together. Also very pleased at the extensive amount of stress testing that is going into this. I doubt that I’ll be an Extreme user, in terms of volume or chalanging work environment for the 'forge, but it’s great to know that it won’t be eggshell fragile (like a certain dishwasher that I just replaced…)
Thanks also for the pictures, and I think they look just fine.

[Scott.Burns]

@jamesdhatch

Unless the filter isn’t working why bother?

I was responding to those who had worries about just how effective the HEPA filter might be in reality. Or for those who wanted to vent the fumes, but didn’t want to disturb their neighbors. Personally, I’m not getting a filter because I have an effective exhaust system in place already.

[StephAndJohn]

Hmm… nothing to get outraged about, that won’t go over well with some!

Guess they’ll have to try and smile, it’ll go something like this:

Thanks for the update

[vsaunders]

Is the beta Proofgrade site officially open? and if so can you please post a link?

I can’t wait to start shopping!

[polarbrainfreeze]

Thanks for the great update @dan! I really appreciate the pictures and the great news on progress!

Can you comment on the GF’s readiness to ship abroad (or up North)? All the pre-releases have all gone to US customers. I understand it’s cheaper on shipping, but it raises some concerns.

I know the majority of your customers are in the US. If I were in your shoes, I would be spending as much energy as possible focused on getting the most GFs to that majority of customer. But that would mean not spending as much energy on things that would get it in the minority’s hands as well. Things like doing the certifications that are needed to import it into other countries. I would address those things once the majority are lined up to get their GFs.

I’m not saying that’s what you are doing, but that’s likely what I would do if I were in your position (maybe that’s why I’m not the CEO of a major company).

Given that I think that way, and that I am in the minority of abroad users, it makes me worried.

Can you comment at all on what’s happening certification-wise? If you can’t, I understand. I’ll just live with my worries.

Note that having a pre-release be delivered to an international customer would ease a lot of my worries (and probably other international customers as well). Nudge-nudge-hint-hint.

Thanks.

[henryhbk]

@dan

There’s a contractor who keeps it going

Somehow I picture this at GFHQ:

[paulw]

Any chance of a closeup of that passthrough sign?

[Scott.Burns]

@paulw

Any chance of a closeup of that passthrough sign?

I see you like to kick the hornet’s nest.

[cynzu]

just a shout out to Dan’s daughter - great work! and to his whole family: we customers have taken a lot of his time, so your sacrifice is appreciated.

[cynzu]

Any idea when the Materials Shop will open for general (non-pre-release) use? Yes, I’m eager to start buying materials.

[andy_elder]

As an engineer myself, I would LOVE to see the test setup! Maybe after August?

[chadmart1076]

Add it to the catalog please! I want one!!!

P.S. It looks like a simple enough design… I might just have to design one for myself! Creative juices are always flowing with a Glowforge in the house!

[jason.fuller0]

I’m with you there. I get into a lot of testing groups at work, because I tend to be very good at breaking stuff through attempted use. I’m the reason why we can’t have nice things, except I help make them nicer because problems get fixed.

[jason.fuller0]

Sounds like that contractor has a dream job. I’d actually set an alarm just to keep the sucker going round the clock.

[dan]

@palmercr

Why not feed the output back into the air intakes of the GlowForge. I.e. just recirculate it instead of pumping it into the room.

The air cools the electronics, which warm the room about as much as a desktop computer - that is, very little. But if the air was recirculated, eventually the electronics would overheat.