Information on pre-release units

As you may know from our previous update, we’re shipping pre-release units to customers now. These are units that have only small differences from what we expect of production units, delivered before the software has all final features.

When we ship a unit, we want you to confirm that you want it. That means every unit - production or pre-release - starts with an email explaining exactly you can expect. For users who haven’t read every forum post to keep up on developments, this will help them make sure they know exactly what they’re getting.

Once you’ve reviewed this information, you’ll have the chance to accept or postpone delivery. Of course, you can also cancel your order at any time until you accept shipment of the production unit.

This is the letter we’re sending to customers who are getting pre-release units. I’m sharing it here because some of you asked, and because it’s a good indication of where the product is at right now for those who are curious.

If you’d like to receive a pre-release unit, please fill out the beta application form if you have not done so already.

Hi!

Would you like a Glowforge printer shipped to you now?

If so: good news. We’ve chosen you to receive a Glowforge pre-release unit. If you want it, say the word, and we’ll send it your way!

Before you say yes, though, it’s very important that you know exactly what’s in the big, Glowforge-shaped box that will arrive on your doorstep. A pre-release unit is similar to a final production unit, with a few key differences that we’re still finishing. Also, we’ve made some changes to the Glowforge product since we started - we want you to know exactly what you’re getting so you can make sure it’s still right for you.

If you choose to receive a pre-release unit, it will remain our property. We might need to make changes or improvements. We will replace it later with the production unit you ordered. If we ask, you must send it back to us (at our expense). We reserve the right to withdraw this offer of a pre-release unit. Your warranty won’t start when you get a pre-release unit - and any repairs will be on us (although since it’s our unit, we reserve the right to not repair or replace it at our sole discretion). You can’t take it apart, modify it, sell it, or give it away. If you decide you no longer want a production unit, you may return the pre-release unit to us at our expense, cancel your order, and receive a full refund. The pre-release unit and any materials or designs we provide to you are all provided on an AS-IS basis, and any limited warranty that we will make available later does not apply. Pre-release units are Basic, even if you ordered a Pro. They will not include a Glowforge Air Filter yet, so you must have an exhaust connection, such as a 4" dryer hookup or a 4” window dryer vent.

But you can make amazing things on it. You can show all of your friends what it can do. If that’s your decision, we recommend stocking up in chips and salsa, as you may soon have a lot of new friends.

All we ask in return is that you provide us with buckets and buckets of feedback. We’re making improvements every day, and your feedback is crucial to helping us make the Glowforge laser better for everyone.

We’ve compiled a list of what pre-release units can (and cannot) do so that you can decide if getting one is right for you or if you’d rather wait for your production unit. We’ve also listed everything that is left “to do”, so you know what’s forthcoming but not yet released. This is the definitive list of what you should expect from your Glowforge pre-release unit and, ultimately, production unit when we deliver it, not anything we’ve said before by way of interviews, forum posts, or meaningful glances.

The best part, though, is that this list will keep evolving and you’ll watch your Glowforge get better and better, far beyond what we describe here, as we improve the software that makes it possible. Our work is never done!

Here’s what you can expect from a Glowforge pre-release unit:

Design with a pen

Also called “Trace,” this lets you create a design from scratch by drawing, using a printout, or other physical image. Your Glowforge will turn it directly into a printed product, with no design software required.

Done: Yes! We’ve delighted hundreds of folks at Maker Faire with this fun feature.

Bonus: Secret keystrokes can refine your picture to make lines thicker or thinner: hold down either the command key on mac or control key on a PC, then press up and down for lighter and darker. Hold down cmd/ctrl-shift-up or down to make your drawing smoother or more accurate. Click to change engraves into cuts.

Precision preview

You can see what your Glowforge sees, drag your design into place, and preview exactly where it’s going to go and what it will look like. You can switch between cut and engrave settings and look at the difference. Then, when you print, everything lands right where you put it.

Done: Yes!

To do: Improvements to accuracy when using thicker materials (currently can see offset of ¼"). Speed up the auto-calibration that happens when you send a print. Preview what the cuts and engraves will actually look like in the material you’re using. Optional Glowforge selfies when your print is done.

Bonus: When your print is ready, we show you a high speed preview of the cut file so you can see exactly what the laser is going to do before you hit the button. When you start printing, the software shows exactly what’s being printed and how much time is left, accurate to the second. More secret keystrokes: when you’re laying out your design, hold down spacebar and click-and-drag to pan; ctrl/cmd + or - to zoom in or out.

3D Autofocus

The precision laser beam on your Glowforge automatically focuses on both smooth and curved surfaces.

Done: Fixed point autofocus, meaning flat materials cut and engrave perfectly. Your Glowforge measures the height of any material you place on the bed at one fixed point. Manual focus, so you can override autofocus and experiment.

To do: Continuous autofocus to cut and engrave curved surfaces.

Recognize Materials

The onboard cameras automatically detect Proofgrade™ materials to automatically configure power, speed, focus, and other settings. Just pick “cut” or “engrave” and every print comes out perfectly.

Done: Recognize Proofgrade materials and configure power, speed, focus, and other settings automatically, so you can just choose “cut” or “engrave”.

To do: Recognize devices like Macbooks and iPhones. Current materials have visible instead of UV barcodes (UV barcodes forthcoming).

Bonus extra: With Proofgrade materials, you can choose variations like light, medium, or dark engravings.

Catalog

Print beautiful things quickly, with perfect results any time using premium designs from the Glowforge catalog.

To do: Not released yet.

Compatible

Print from any device, design program, or file type.

Done: SVG, PDF, PNG, and JPG compatibility. Print from any major browser on desktop. Some tablet and phone support. Convert most file types to be compatible with Glowforge software with Inkscape.

To do: Bugs on tablet & mobile. Add support for many more file types. Fix some PDF and SVG import bugs. Adobe Illustrator plugin.

Just one plug

All you need is a standard household outlet (120 volts, 15 amps, with 800 watts of available power) to use your Glowforge.

Done: Yes!

Optical Alignment

Cameras make sure your print goes precisely where you put it, for easy layout and double-sided engravings.

Done: Both lid and head cameras are dialed in to make the system easy to use. The system regularly auto-aligns itself with the onboard cameras.

To do: Improved positioning accuracy and double sided engraving.

Precision within a kerf

The Glowforge software automatically compensates for the hairsbreadth thickness of your laser beam to make everything fits the first time.

To do: Not released yet. When we turn it on, there will be options for both Proofgrade and other materials.

3D high-res engraving

1,000 DPI resolution & variable depth relief engraves with multiple passes.

Done: Yes!

Bonus: Stunning photo engraves and 3D engraves. We dialed it up to 1,355 DPI instead of the 1,000 DPI we promised. It looks incredible already and we’re still improving it.

Safe for schools

Done: Glowforge Basic is certified by the CDRH as a Class 1 Laser.

To do: Additional 3rd party certifications.

Air Filter upgrade

Print from any room without outside ventilation

To do: Not released yet.

Bonus extra: Air samples from our early Air Filter units are testing even cleaner than commercial units we’ve been testing that cost five times as much.

Material Capability

Print with dozens of natural materials.

Done: Yes, BUT: after extensive research with safety specialists, we recommend only using materials that you are absolutely certain are laser compatible. That includes Proofgrade materials from us and materials from suppliers like Inventables and Laserbits that they ensure are laser compatible. Remember that if you use your Glowforge for anything other than food, you cannot then safely use it with food.

To do: Add the ability to save settings when you use non-Proofgrade materials.

Pro Upgrade

The Glowforge Pro model has advanced cooling, optics, upgraded laser tube, & a passthrough slot.

To do: Not released yet. If a Pro user is in line for a pre-release unit, we will offer them a Basic pre-release unit and upgrade them later.

Depth sensing

Use a laser rangefinder to measure the height of the material surface.

Done: Yes! (with an accuracy as high as four one thousandths of an inch)

Work Area

12" x 20” working bed. Maximum thickness of material with tray installed is 0.5”.

Done: 18" deep by 20.4” wide working bed. Printing area of 10" deep x 18.5” wide. Maximum thickness of material with tray installed of 0.5”, maximum thickness of material with tray removed is 2”. Focus range of 0.5”.

To do: When the laser is moving at maximum speed, it needs room to slow down near the top, bottom, and both sides. We’ll be updating the software to compensate for that so it can give you more working space - up to 11.5" x 20.4" for slow movements like cuts; a little bit less for faster motions like engraves.

Bonus: Our original specs for thickness were only 1.5" with tray removed - we were able to increase that to 2.0” for you.

Cameras

Two five-megapixel cameras, one wide-angle in the lid and one macro in the head.

Done: Yes!

One Button Print

Print from the web interface, then click the beautiful pulsing button to confirm.

Done: Yes!

Bonus: RGB LEDs make for a gorgeous multihued button.

Cloud-Based

Work from anywhere with an internet connection.

Done: Yes!

Bonus: If you lose connectivity during a print, no problem - it will finish anyway.

Wi-Fi

Set up your Glowforge anywhere with strong Wi-Fi signal (2.4 GHz b/g/n). Easy setup from your web browser.

Done: Yes!

Bonus: Works on slow connections. If the connection comes and goes, your Glowforge automatically reconnects.

Case

High modulus injection molded plastic case. Custom extruded aluminum linear rails with belt-driven v-wheel carrier. Heat treated glass surface that blocks ultraviolet and infrared laser light.

Done: Yes!

Bonus: It’s gorgeous.

Linear motion system

Dual hybrid stepper Y axis allows for self-calibration. Single hybrid stepper X axis for extremely precise engraving.

Done: Yes!

Cooling

Closed loop self-contained internal liquid cooling.

Done: Yes!

To do: Finish 3rd party testing to qualify performance in extreme environments.

Exhaust

4" exhaust hookup or Glowforge Air Filter required.

Done: Yes!

Bonus: Will ship with 8’ exhaust hose.

Lighting

Dual high-powered internal white LED strips, white LED macro illumination for camera head, UV macro illumination for camera head.

Done: Yes!

Power Consumption

Glowforge uses no more power than a typical kitchen appliance.

Done: Peak power consumption is 800W, 120 VAC, so it can work from a standard outlet.

Safety Interlocks

Built-in sensors prevent access to infrared laser light. If the lid is opened, the laser will turn off immediately.

Done: Yes!

Bonus: The Glowforge app will tell you when your lid is even slightly ajar.

Let’s do this

Now you know what’s in the box. If you can’t wait to get a Glowforge 3D laser printer pre-release unit, as described above, please reply back to us to let us know. Once we hear back from you, we’ll send you the Pre-Release User Agreement, collect your shipping address, and prepare your Glowforge for shipment!

Regardless of what you decide, thank you - as ever - for being a customer.

Yours,

–dan

86 Likes

nevermind >< I would love a prerelease but I never got this letter, even after signing up to be a beta tester pouts oh well I suppose…

2 Likes

JUST WOW!!!
Can’t wait!

4 Likes

I’m not in line for a pre-release, but, very interesting, an impressive list of “dones”! The things not yet done, however, do not leave me feeling warm & fuzzy about a December ship date for the Pro GF’s though. I will however continue to hold onto hope. :slight_smile:

7 Likes

Thanks for sharing. Glad to see you’re shipping at least the pre release units with a hose to cut down some delay in time from unboxing to use.

2 Likes

Nice, cool to see the list of completed and to do items.
Now lets hope that i see this email in my inbox. :slight_smile:

2 Likes

Just wanting to check if the ‘18.5" X 10"’ is a typo?

:wink:

Tom

2 Likes

Oh boy…this doesn’t bode well for Pro users…another kick in our beanbag.

4 Likes

If we signed up for beta testing does that mean we are also signed up for pre-release as well? I looked quick but didn’t see it answered. I’m assuming so…

Great update!!!

1 Like

Actually I don’t think the 18.5" x 10" is the typo. I think the Typo is the 20"x18" working bed. @dan or @bailey can you confirm?

Also @dan, since you are dealing with engineers and makers, it might be best to keep the same order in your measurements. Meaning, can you switch the 11.5"x20.4" to be 20.4"x11.5" instead to keep consistency? My brain did a little flip when I came across that.

EDIT: Actually, now that I look at it, is the 20.4" for cuts also a typo? If the working bed largest dimension is 20", how do we get 20.4" of cut space?

Further Edit: I’ve now caught up on the updates and have seen the http://community.glowforge.com/t/specs-update/ post. Things make a little more sense. Still trying to figure out how we get 20.4" of cutting space from an area that is 20" Wide.

4 Likes

Great, great write-up @dan! (That should resolve a lot of questions.) Thanks for letting us see the current status letter. :smiley:

The Bonuses are the icing on the Italian Cream Cake! A couple have even got me pretty excited …(and you know I never get excited…:wink:)

Two inches of height is phenomenal, and light/medium/dark engraving at one touch will make it simple to create some spectacular effects on the stuff we design! (And the secret squirrel keystrokes?..awesome!)

Got to say - when you say you’re going to deliver an excellent product - you flat out DO IT! :heart_eyes:

I’m more than happy with the current status…this is more than what I bought this thing for, and it will be a much more powerful tool. I’m perfectly okay with having to wait a bit for things like kerf adjustment on the proofgrade, DS engraving and continuous auto-focus. There are a world of other things I can do while waiting.

19 Likes

Oh wow. So excited I came out of my usual forum lurker state. :slight_smile:

Fingers crossed…I have so many projects for my school library ready to test!

15 Likes

Is the absence of DXF in either the “Done” or “To do” narratives a subtle way of saying the “DXF to GF” direct feature from the original promotional material may no longer be in the plan for the final product @ dan?

…edit…

Oops, missed the "To do: . . . Add support for many more file types. "

Thanks @Jules! :slight_smile:

3 Likes

Great update & status in one :slightly_smiling_face:

I’ve bookmarked it so I have a place to find the bonuses easier - I’m going to have to make up a keystroke-cheatsheet to keep track of the cool things key combos can do.

Nice approach on the Pre-release program. Reminds me of GM’s EV-1. They retained ownership of the car as it was being put through its paces giving them a lot of flexibility while reducing issues/concerns for buyers (just hope GFs don’t suffer the same fate :slightly_smiling_face:).

I don’t expect the lack of air filter will impact most - until now a hose through a window was pretty much the only choice (I made an acrylic insert for mine when I first got into lasers - probably took longer to measure & design than it did to cut & install).

It’s good to see that the To-Dos are software related. The wonderful world of software says all those features to come can likely be delivered over the air - a huge vindication of the cloud model. Gotta love it.

Kudos to all :clap:

8 Likes

I choose to look at this as a good thing. It means the units are progressing and that the company has given us an update as to which capabilities are ready and which are not. Pre-release units are the final step before production. Not sure how many pre-release units are going out the door but for those lucky enough to receive and evaluate they essentially are getting a loaner on the company dime. No loss of warranty on a future unit. We already knew the Pro S/W wasn’t ready so the folks that need a Pro for a specific use case are justifiably disappointed but it doesn’t mean the Pros aren’t very close. Full production is a lot closer today.

16 Likes

waits for email patiently

14 Likes

Ditto about the filter. But neither is a showstopper since there’s not been a unit with the Pro feature available to build a business on yet (from GF anyway) and the filter issue has a workaround and was communicated months ago.

And he beat the announcement prediction by two days :grinning: (three for those of you who don’t sleep)

7 Likes

These are not typos with the exception of the bed width. Should read 18" X 20.4". And this is mostly good news. Long discussions with Dan last night about the specs, reasons and effect.

7 Likes

@dan “All you need is a standard household outlet (120 volts, 15 amps, with 800 watts of available power) to use your Glowforge.”

Hopefully the 120 volts is a pre-release (US only) restriction and there are no issues with supporting 240 volts for final production units?

4 Likes

If I got this letter, i would hug the mailman.
Looking forward to putting this machine through the ringer. A pre-release would have been good so I could beat it up.

Thanks for the update.

4 Likes