Print in warmer rooms; dramatic lights (Latest Improvements)

[JonS]

The new lights are awesome!

[dan_berry]

How long does it take to chill before starting to print - is it only until it’s within operating range?

Would it be possible to have a setting that lets you “prechill before starting to print” that cools to the lowest temperature before the job starts? (I.e. I would accept a slower start if the coolant was cold enough to run the longest at the beginning, rather than only chilled enough to pause 3 minutes later)

[palmercr]

@dan

If it’s warm, it will run the fans at the start of the print, and tell you that it’s cooling right away.

I don’t understand how it can do any cooling at the start when the machine has been sitting and everything is at ambient temperature. Unless it has been run recently, and has some residual heat, there is nothing it can do by blowing ambient air over a system that is already at ambient temperature.

[Scott.Burns]

It always amuses me to hear people say they turned on a fan and then left the room a while to let it cool down.

[soldiercoleman]

@dan

Now, it will always try to start the print. If it’s warm, it will run the fans at the start of the print, and tell you that it’s cooling right away.

Perfect. Thanks @dan

EDIT: for additional response,

@palmercr

Unless it has been run recently, and has some residual heat, there is nothing it can do by blowing ambient air over a system that is already at ambient temperature.

He also said

@dan

Our software for this was too conservative, preventing your Glowforge from starting prints even when it would be fine to do so (even though it might need to cool during the print).

So they have adjusted that and that should help.

However the big answer to your question is the exhaust port. It has already been shown that the outside heat/cold/humidity can enter the machine through the exhaust port when the machine is dormant. Running the fans at the beginning will evacuate the stale air and allow the coolant to get a good cycle through the heat exchanger. I’d say it’s a solid idea that defiantly couldn’t hurt to have if it is 95° outside and 74° in the room.

[rhenley]

I’m probably in the minority, but I actually prefer the bright lights when the lid is opened. The bed is still brightly lit which makes it easier to align the material as straight as possible. This is one of the settings that would be cool to have listed under Preferences (along with other things like “Run fan x seconds after print finishes”). With all of that said, this is a minor issue and I’ll be happy either way.