Hello All
Just a sneak speak of a very rough prototype of my remote glowforge button pusher
More videos to follow
17 Likes
Why would you do this? Running the machine unattended is asking for a fire as far too many users have found out.
4 Likes
I interpret this as “too lazy to get up from my chair” rather than “unattended operation”. If the Glowforge is within stick range, anyway. I thought it was amusing.
9 Likes
I never leave it unattended and would never advise any 1 to do that. I’m always in the same room . But yes I have seen bad accidents from users not watching their machines
3 Likes
Chuckle! I liked the stick action.
2 Likes
I work directly next to my machine and never (rarely) walk away from it - I still love this. It’s super fun to automate stuff that doesn’t need automating.
2 Likes
Except you can’t see the surface of your material from your chair and you can’t see if you have a fire issue unless you can see the surface of the material. As we have seen, it takes only about 30 seconds of inattention to go from fine to fire. If you can’t see in your machine, you aren’t being safe.
Exceptions for things like ceramic tile and stone that are not flammable of course, but I am always right by my machine watching it while it is in use.
1 Like
Clever - loved the video.
So you stare into your GF for the entire duration of all of your projects? Never look away?
You realize that staring at the laser/material interface is bad for your eyes?
4 Likes
Sunglasses help. I stay above the GF so I can see into the unit and see the laser area. I don’t stare at the cut point, but I do make sure that I can see it at all times when cutting flammable material.
If I have run the job before and have verified that the risk of fire is low, I will sit next to the unit but will watch the reflection of the cut point so I can see if I get a flare up.
Maybe I am overly cautious, but it is worth the effort to make sure that I have no fires. It is worth it for my safety and the safety of those in my building.
Unfortunately probably not. The IR is not generally blocked by normal sunglasses. UV probably but that’s not the primary danger. You might want to let your opthamologist know that you stare at CO2 lasers in operation so they can prescribe special coatings for your glasses.
I admire your ability to sit and do nothing but watch for hours at a time. I’d doze off myself, bored to tears.
1 Like
It is blocked by the Glowforge enclosure.
As noted, the GF lid blocks the IR. The glasses are for dining the brightness, and as noted previously, I do not stare at the cut point.
This is so funny! With laziness comes ingenuity. More work for the brain to save a few steps…I also have a remote button pusher…depending on which of my kids is within hearing distance at the time 
4 Likes
Kind of envious of that 4-monitor setup.
1 Like
Yeah thanks but don’t be too jealous they’re all refurbished monitors I didn’t pay a lot for them The stand I got off eBay or Amazon and I just kind of modified it with some stronger bolts because who knew if you bought a cheap stand and you put four monitors on it that it could tip over.
1 Like
The one Bob made on I Like To Make Stuff was shared here back in 2018. The same comments ensued.
If you can build a remote controlled button-pusher, you can probably build a remote controlled fire extinguisher.
1 Like
That’s why you mount a camera with a clear view of the material, and you monitor it continuously.
I have mobility issues, and can’t run back and forth between the Glowforge and my computer every few minutes, so I installed cameras and a Switchbot. It’s a game-changer. But I do monitor it continuously and have a family member in the next room to intervene if necessary.
3 Likes
Hey. I lack the rack and pinion idea. That’s what I’ll do for mine. I used a rack puller for an oven for my first couple years when the Glowforge was on the other side of the desk. Yes, one definitely needs a remote button because sometimes I am running two 3D printers and a CNC and the Glowforge and I am babysitting too many machines at the same time.
Great work!
2 Likes
Dude I feel your pain. Hilarious
1 Like