No announcements - we’ll let you know if that changes.
It was based on our conversation and many others like it with other customers that we developed the Pro Shields to solve this problem.
Yes. We’re working to get 100% of Maltese shipments out by October. Also all the other countries. 
Yes. That’s why I’m at the factory every week! (And late on posting updates 
)
Shipping brutalizes packaging, but the vast majority of Glowforge units are working properly - those that don’t tend to get over-reported. We’re still optimizing our packaging, but it’s not as bad as it might seem from the forum. Packaging is just one of the half dozen or so quality issues we’re running in parallel - for example, we just fixed a problem with reservoir tanks that split and leaked fluid in shipping. It looks like a shipping problem, but was actually a bad ultrasonic weld. They’re now going through 100% inspection while we work with the supplier to improve them.
All the information in the post applies equally to both international and domestic - I apologize for not making that clear.
We completely reworked the packaging based on feedback from the first shipments - all units from today onward should have the new packaging. I really like it - easier to open and protects the units much better.
@bailey has been working on putting something together with the Pro - I’m excited to share it!
We’ll let folks know when NRTL certification is complete. (If you’re chosen for shipping before it’s done, you can opt to wait until it is before receiving a unit).
We always notify with a 6 week window, but it’s often much less.
Acknowledged! I don’t think it’s a very well kept secret.
Welcome!