Downgrade from Pro to Basic?

Community Support
1

This is a weird request, but after speaking with Dan @ MakerFaire this morning and hearing about how you technically have to wear laser safety glasses with the pro, I thought that perhaps it’s not the right choice if I decide to donate the Glowforge to my kid’s school.

I have a few questions:

  1. Is it possible to downgrade from the Pro to the Basic?
  2. Is it possible to get 2 Basic units and apply the pre-order Pro pricing to the Basic units?
  3. Would it be possible to still get the Basic unit in either scenario in the same timeframe, or would this move me to the end of the queue?
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2

A good question for support@glowforge.com. They are the source for your answers.
No.1 - is yes.
Pretty sure No. 3 is yes.

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3

That’s the first I’ve heard of wearing glasses with the Pro. Unless you are talking about while the passthrough slot, in which case it would make sense. But if that is what he is referring to, you can glue the doors shut if you don’t want them used.

4

As always, I don’t speak for the company but AFAIK, yes, no, and yes.

You can modify your order from the main :glowforge: page.

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5

We’ll have full Pro safety information available soon. @PrintToLaser is spot on… 1 is yes, and I don’t know the answer to 2 & 3, but support@glowforge.com does.

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6

Since the Pro is classified as a Class 4 laser, safety regulations (local and federal) expect laser glasses/googles.

This is why Dan has commented about the Pro’s (in schools) must meet Class 4 precautions. I think he also commented about not bring the Pro to shows and displays because of the need to have Class 4 precautions and protections in place.

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That’s why I went basic, because I can see myself using it in a class or at maker faire.

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Ok, thanks guys. I will send them an email!

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9

I would really appreciate if you would report back what you discover. I work with kids a lot and have had some of the same concerns.

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10

In an earlier thread Dan states that the pro is classified as a Class 4 laser, and that nothing short of Factory rework can change the classification.
From what I understood the upgrade in class comes not from the power, but the danger of potential exposure from Laser Shrapnel due to the openings on the pro.

I await the safety info, and will be curious to see if goggles will be recommended even if the doors are shut.

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11

More than likely still recommended as open or closed, it’s still a class IV laser. But I shall see also when the manual shows.

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12

I thought @dan said it was the slot in the Pro (laser escaping the enclosure) that made it a Class 4 and that once the slot is made in the case, it keeps the classification (since it was manufactured with the slot) even if the slot was permanently sealed.

Power rating did not play into the Class 4 rating.

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13

You are correct. It may operate the same way when the pass-thru is closed as a Class 1 but with the slots, it’s Class 4 by regulation.

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14

Has anyone with a pro bought laser safety glasses? Any recommendations?

15

Curious to see what people say, though after watching this video I’m not likely to drop the cash on laser safety specific glasses.

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16

It was posted here about the differences between safety glasses and laser glasses:

Basically, expect to pay around $40 for quality laser glasses.

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17

I have these:

And these:

The Redsail is Class 4 and the K40 should be since there are no interlocks preventing its use with the lid up :slightly_smiling_face:

BTW, they’re both 6 ODs which means they attenuate the laser transmission by a factor of 1million (.0001%).

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18

If money is no object then Thorlabs LG6 have OD 7+ in the CO2 IR wavelength and also at the UV end as well and are CE certified and ANSI Z136 compliant. Probably overkill for just a pass through slot but I am not on a budget.

19

I wonder if the safety instructions will recommend protective clothing such as welder’s gloves because if any IR does get out of the slot while doing pass through it is more likely to strike one’s hands than an eye.

20

unlikely to do any damage to your skin, though.

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