Tested Gets a Glowforge - Second Pre-Release Unit in the Wild

[tbelhumer]

My friend from Universal Laser knows both Adam and Norm. Talks to Norm several times a week and even he said today that he was surprised to hear that Adam was consulting.

[dan]

@Duality

I am sure there are benefits but can all that movement be good for the tube?

Every component has acceleration/jerk/snap parameters, and our motion planner makes sure never to exceed them. I was skeptical when our CTO proposed it too (I think I said ‘that’s like designing a car where people sit in the tires’) but damn if it doesn’t work brilliantly.

@Duality

Dan mentioned something about a 1/4" error margin at the edges on thick material(?).

That is the current state of the prerelease software, but it’s a bug that’ll be fixed.

@dan_berry

I was amused at his “great amazement” of the two cameras and their functionality, for being a consultant to Glowforge for several months.

We asked him to help us expand our thinking about what people can do with it, not how it works. It’s actually the first time he’s seen one in person.

@palmercr

Mounting it on the Y carriage means all the mirrors except the last one move with it, which makes the alignment easier and you can enclose all the beam and optics except the jump to the X carriage. The downside is more moving mass plus cooling pipes and high voltage cables that all have to flex.

Exactly.

@emacartoon

the depth sensor isn’t functioning here

The depth sensor works brilliantly, accurate to around 0.1 mm (!), but right now it only measures right before the print to focus, not when the material is first inserted (we’ll fix that).

@joshua.simanskey

I’m actually not sure that the offset cut to create the “frame” was due to camera distortion.

That was a different thing: the UI expected him to click outside the design (“cut out this design”), but instead he clicked right on the design outline (“cut out the outline I just drew”). So the software dutifully put a cutline on either side of his marker line. @Tony’s been thinking about how to make that a bit more intuitive.

[Duality]

@dan

Every component has acceleration/jerk/snap parameters, and our motion planner makes sure never to exceed them. I was skeptical when our CTO proposed it too (I think I said ‘that’s like designing a car where people sit in the tires’) but damn if it doesn’t work brilliantly.

Lateral design thinking. Respect. As long the movement does not damage the tube over time and the extra mass does not put too much strain on motors. But I guess you guys are on top of all that.

On the one hand I like seeing the exposed tube because I like brutalism (in design terms not forum terms) but I can’t help wondering if a slick black aluminium cover over the tube would be a cleaner design. I know it’s not the final design and perhaps you guys are planning that anyway. Looking forward to seeing the final embodiment.

[dan]

@Duality

I can’t help wondering if a slick black aluminium cover over the tube would be a cleaner design.

But… but… then you couldn’t see the Glowforge laser glow!

We thought about that too. Stealthforge, maybe a new version.

[jrnelson]

Nope nope the laser tube was always the coolest part of the makerspace laser so keep the retrofuture steampunk aesthetic pls.

[Duality]

Conceded.

[caribis2]

I’m not into steampunk, or 80’s neon art, but it is a laser so the more light effects, even cheesy ones, the better. Also sound. I’ve never figured out why light, particularly in the void of space, makes so much noise, but pew-pew would be awesome as well.

[dan_berry]

@dan

But… but… then you couldn’t see the Glowforge laser glow!

We thought about that too. Stealthforge, maybe a new version.

Is it too late to get that UV blacklight glow? I have a Velvet Elvis poster I’d really love to light up where I plan to put mine, and I’d wear lots of white T-shirts.

[jrnelson]

@dan_berry

Is it too late to get that UV blacklight glow? I have a Velvet Elvis poster I’d really love to light up where I plan to put mine, and I’d wear lots of white T-shirts.

Hmm…things are a bit more…legal…in Seattle…

[Jules]

@dan

Stealthforge, maybe a new version.

I’ll have one of these please. I like black. (Painted my pink Gazelle black…)

[tim]

At this point, I am wanting a Ronco style infomercial. I realize that there’s no time, and the last thing I’d do with a pre-lease unit is take the time to produce one, but still, it’d be pretty entertaining. Especially with a couple of “But wait, there’s more!” moments. And especially especially if someone would make beef jerky with it.

[jrnelson]

Set it, and (FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DONT) forget it!

[takitus]

When I read Ronco I thought Rockwell as in retro encabulator

Rockwell Retro Encabulator

[karaelena]

That must be Cave Johnson’s sister company.

[markevans36301]

I love these and was wondering how long till one would be posted. They give me insight into what tech briefs must sound like to those without the vocabulary to understand them

[tim]

That sounds like a middle school essay where the student just starting throwing in words longer than six letters. Or something from a Dilbert for engineers book. (I have no background sufficient for parsing, let alone understanding any of that!)

@markevans36301

They give me insight into what tech briefs must sound like to those without the vocabulary to understand them

And “dingle-arm” can’t be a legitimate technical term, right?

And now I see the Wiki article. When will I learn to not be so trusting on this forum?..!

[markevans36301]

That’s the thing, that is all jabberwocky and I guess that is how any tech brief sounds to outsiders. I literally sit and grin watching.

Oh, you updated while I was typing! LOL

[jbv]

Rockwell: "It’s produced by the modial interaction of magneto-reluctance and capacitive duractance"
Me: "wait, can you demonstrate that?"
Rockwell: -opens access panel-
Me: “perfect, thanks”

[hansepe]

They should totally crowd source this! Add in a flux capacitor and some more Rockwell Automation know how and we’ll be able to get the Glowforge to make bacon.

[chevalier_jeanpaul]

Some further discussion on Tested. This time about the delay.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation - This is Only a Test 378 - 12/8/16