It is essentially a transfer of liability.
Having run a contract delivery service for 30 years, I can assure you it is standard practice to file a claim with the carrier. Their nickle, they damaged it, not Glowforge.
It hinges on the signature legally. When the Glowforge left the factory, the carrier assumes responsibility for any subsequent damage incured.
When you sign as “received”, you are stating your merchandise arrived as expected.
My work was with high-end goods for the interior design industry, with a single item often worth more than my 5 ton box truck. I never signed the warehouse paperwork until I had inspected every inch of the item(s).
The warehouse never signed as recieved from the carrier until they had completely unboxed and inspected the shipment. Once I sign from the warehouse, I accept responsibility and release them.
The carrier has no choice but to wait for the signature. They have a schedule to keep, so they might not be thrilled to wait for you to inspect it, but it is your right - and when you sign, you release them from liability.
Believe me, the waiting game is not new to them even if they act like you are being totally unreasonable while they tap their foot waiting. (In reality it tells them you are not as stupid as you look)
In some cases there are provisions for concealed damage, but your best practice is to inspect for physical damage thoroughly - and that begins with the box.
A lot of expensive/fragile items will have an impact indicator somewhere inside. A little sticker with a capillary tube of dye that will rupture or some other mechanism to indicate if the box experienced an impact above a certain threshold. You can tell at a glance if the shipment suffered rough handling.
The old school method is to take note of any damage to the box, like a dented side, pushed in top or crushed corner. That’s going to tell you where to especially focus your attention. I caution against just signing off in your enthusiasm, but if the box is crisp, chances are it’s fine. Crack the box and dig far enough to confirm the glass lid and the laser tube are intact.
Then you can sign, thank the carrier and put that shot of adrenaline you got when he pulled up to work carrying your baby to its new home!