I have the GF pro and got it because it says it wouldn’t overheat due to cutting but the unit it’s self is getting to hot and stopping to cool down in the middle of the cut. I have the unit set up in my garage and we live in Texas. I have a small AC and fan blowing cool air into the intake vent but it is still getting hot. Anyone else having this problem or have any ideas how to remedy?
The upper operating temperature limit for the Pro models is 81°. When the liquid in the tube and reservoir hits 81° for the Pro models, it will pause to cool down, which is what you are seeing. (That’s what it means when they say it cannot overheat. The machine is going to pause if it gets too warm. Keeps from wearing out the tube too fast.)
Lasers heat up when they run, by several degrees, and the temperature of the fluid in the tube and reservoir needs to be kept below the operating limit. Putting a laser (even a Pro) outside in a Texas summer is going to be problematic.
To cool it off, you would need to lower the temperature all around the machine, not just blow cold air into the intake. (Although blowing cold air at it will help to make the pauses shorter in duration.)
I’d suggest a partition with something as simple as heavy plastic shower curtains on tracks, close a small area off, and run the AC in that small space. (I keep mine in the house, and the temp down low enough in this room that i have to wear a sweater.)
But if you have to keep it outside, maybe closing it off will let you get it going again without costing a fortune in electricity bills.
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Your Glowforge Pro features a closed-loop liquid cooling system that uses the air from the room to remove heat. It’s boosted by a solid-state thermoelectric cooler that allows for heavier use at higher ambient temperatures than the Basic. It is designed to be used when the temperature next to your Glowforge is between 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius) and 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius). To check, put a room thermometer next to the right hand side of the Glowforge; it draws in air from underneath, on the right.
You can try any of these things to improve warm-weather performance:
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Try printing with no material on the bed (so as not to generate smoke and fumes) and no exhaust hose attached. If this works, then the problem may be that your exhaust hose is constricting the flow of air out of the unit, preventing cooling.
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Examine the bottom-right side of your Glowforge, and ensure that there is no fabric or other flexible material underneath it, like a tablecloth. There are air intake vents, and if they become obstructed, it makes cooling less effective.
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Try pointing a fan at the right side of your Glowforge. If there is warm air around the intake, this could help it cool off.
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Power off your Glowforge when you are not using it. When your Glowforge sits idle, the fans are off, so heat can build up
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Just wait. Your print may take a little longer when it’s warm, but your Glowforge will protect itself and make sure it cools enough to prevent any loss of power or damage. It’s clever enough to pick up from exactly where it left off, even if it needs to pause to cool down during the print!
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Ensure that the sun isn’t shining on the lid. This could cause the inside of your Glowforge to heat up.
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If you are venting outdoors, ensure that extreme temperatures or humidity do not enter the Glowforge unit through the exhaust hose. Disconnect the hose from the outside air when the Glowforge is not in use.
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Turn your Glowforge off and open the lid for a few minutes before trying again. It’s possible for the air in your Glowforge to heat up, just like a car in the sun on a hot day, opening the lid will help that warm air to escape and your Glowforge to cool down.
If you are still running into trouble, please let us know the following so that we can investigate further:
- A description of the things you tried and what happened
- If possible, place a thermometer next to your Glowforge on the right hand side and measure the temperature there; if not, estimate the room temperature
- The date and time (including time zone) when you had the problem
- Take a picture of the exhaust hose behind your Glowforge that includes the part where it connects to your Glowforge, and the part where it exits the room
It’s been a little while since I’ve seen any replies on this thread so I’m going to close it. If you still need help with this please either start a new thread or email support@glowforge.com.