People have been surrounded by lasers for a long time, but always enclosed in a read/write drive or some other secure means. Now we got things that actually can be mis-used without tearing it apart and hacking the hell out of it. So regulation overkill is in the future for lasers.
Regulation overkill rises to the top in a lot of actions against new tech. There is a trend to make everything fit into a tidy box that is all inclusive. While this may make the law or regulation easier to write, it is an impossible goal and usually responsible for terrible law. Sweeping the good up with the bad.
I initially had plans to use a laser line for 3D imaging of people, statues, etc. The rig worked well.
Problem is, too many people were misusing those pesky pointers. What we ended up with is a law against painting people or animals with a laser, initially the red dot on a gun sight, but those pesky pointers caused it to evolve into an all inclusive laser painting (the feds already got the vehicle part of this covered. Bikes to planes ā vehicle is rather open ended).
So instead of just being worried about looking suspicious as I laser lined a building or statues or groups of people, I was going to be busted and face huge fines.
I get it. Safety rules and regs are usually written in blood, but the push for zero tolerance (to make it easier to enact), instead of going after specific things, has a huge negative side.
Donāt know enough about Norwegian law to state if they can make the rules manageable or not. They can only hope for the best over there I suppose.
@dan
Is there any particular reason for the late estimated delivery of GF Pro to the Saudi Arabia?
I guess it is not a production issue since you are shipping within days to the States!
Dan, that was an interesting update- thank you. Iād really like to know when international, or more specifically for me users in the United Kingdom will be able to purchase proof grade materials and download items from the catalogue?
Itās frustrating in a couple of ways that we are unable to purchase!
I guess theyāre really not that bad, but I accidentally installed them upside down once and spent a week happily lasering away without even noticing.
Sorry if I missed this - but what exactly are the āupgraded componentsā available on the Plus and not the Basic? Iām trying to help a friend figure out which machines to buy for his school.
The Plus has the same higher powered tube that the Pro does, but does not have the Passthrough slot. Making it safer for unmonitored school situations (Class 1). It does not have the additional cooling for use in a wider temperature range.
Some of the Basic units tested by the PreRelease folk were set up with them. They can almost make it through half inch material in one pass.
Just to add my data point: I ordered a Glowforge Basic with Air Filter in Oct. 2015. My office space does not allow for running an exhaust tube to the outdoors, so I canāt use the Glowforge without the Air Filter. Thus Iām delaying all shipping until the Air Filter can also be shipped.
A few months ago my ESND on the air filter was listed as in May of 2018, Now itās August 14, 2018. I am surprised that itās taking them so long to get the air filters done.
Australian shipments (at least for the pro) have slipped again, from the end of June all the way to mid October ā at which point after accepting and shipment the current update appears like it will be pushing up on Christmas time. Very sad news.
@dan, whilst the C&L challenges with some countries seem to be proving to be difficult,
ā could you please consider providing a live update on progress per country still remaining in terms of % C&L completion ā something that the last few of us hopefuls can look at to be assured that progress is being made instead of solely relying on the estimated date on the account page that feels like it can keep getting shifted indefinitely.
I, too, am shocked to report that the ESND on my (US) Glowforge and filter has fallen back again, this time by a little more than three weeks to June 30. That will be 999 days from when I forked over $4,000+ on Day 2; perhaps The Very Best Information Machine is not equipped to deal with the number of digits it now has to reckon with.
At least I can comfort myself in the meantime with the exciting news that customers who order today can enjoy more choices, substantial price reductions, and take delivery in ten days.
I feel so bad that my PRO shipment is again delayed! From May, July and now Nov!! And no any explanation no any reason but just a new date. It is the 4th times! The forecast now means nothing to me! You guys can postpone it with no responsibility anyway!
Do you know what the practical difference is between the two cooling systems? You mentioned a wider temperature range, but what is the range? As I think about models, Iām trying to figure out what the upgrade would mean on a day to day basis. Beyond the obvious of the more powerful laser and passthrough.
