Weekly Highlights for the Week Ending March 25th, 2017

[Jules]

Last Week’s Highlights

Weekly Highlights for Week Ending March 18th, 2017

The Official Word

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Glowforge® Logo and Brand Usage Guidelines

Let's talk about Glowforge®: logo and brand guidelines

We’ve had a bunch of requests asking how you all can use our brands, icons, all that sort of thing. The usual answer to such questions is vague shrieking sounds from the Friendly Neighborhood Lawyer combined with threats of discommendation, but we worked out a compromise. If you’d like to use our trademarks (for example “Glowforge®” and “Proofgrade™”) or our logos (for example and ), you’ll find everything you need to do so discommendation-free inside. It also has hand…

Does the Glowforge unit have sensors that tell you if the exhaust port is blocked?

Needing some venting feedback

Indeed. We keep the exhaust ports of our office Glowforge units covered when they’re not hooked up to a filter. If you try to print with one by accident, it detects the obstruction and just powers down again immediately. Note that we can’t support nonstandard venting arrangements, though, and they can cause problems.

Can you give us an estimate on how many people are likely to get bumped up in line?

Discussion of March '17 update

This is entirely a decision at our sole discretion, but once we reach full capacity, it’s about 1 day’s worth of production.

Can the fan be made to run for some time after a job completes to keep the smell down when the lid is lifted?

Breathing Easy

It does - we may refine that even further.

Is MDF laser compatible?

Laser cut PC case idea

Some MDF is laser compatible, but it depends on the glue and the fibers used.

Kickin’ Creations GF Style

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How Can I Be So Thick - Part Deux

How can I be so thick, Part 2 (Pro-Tube?)

So, Decided to sacrifice some my precious loft stored walnut. Planed a piece of walnut down to 0.43" and threw it into the Glowforge. I did not expect it to work and was pleasantly surprised. Not as easy to cut as the Oak in my previous topic. https://community.glowforge.com/t/how-can-i-be-so-thick/6482/1 Still the Glowforge was able to cut it in one pass. There was significant charing on the edges and the cut/kerf is a bit ugly. But with a quick swipe of fine steel wool to dust off …

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1/4" Cast Acrylic Cuts

1/4" Cast Acrylic: Craiglist Find

My picker texted me at the end of January that there was a Craiglist post in St. Louis selling 19 x 32" 1/4 cast acrylic for $5.00 a sheet. I texted back and forth with the seller and got a pic of the masking. Looked it up and it checked out. The acrylic looked pristine. [image] I was not able to get it picked up myself do to the Mexico trip. @cynd11 to the rescue! I let her know about the find and she was able to go and pick some up for her and get me 10 sheets. $5 per sheet. Inventables sel…

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Manual Rotary Indexer

Pre-Release | Manual Rotary Indexer

Supplies: 1 1/4" (19.05mm) Dowel, Acrylic & Cardboard - Op Time : 29 mins I had this idea kicking around for a while. I had a couple hours today so I tried it out. After about 30 mins in F360 I had this. [image] Exported out the parts I need to AI. Then started to cut. First with the acrylic. [image] [image] (The ring was going to be used act as manual indicator on how much to index the dowl. But that didn’t work out as planned. I have another idea- But I wanted to press forward) Next…

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Shadowbox for Acrylic Display

Shadowbox for Edge Lit Acrylic Spirals

Continuing the discussion from Guilloche/Spirograph-like Design App with PNG/SVG save: @gwygonik made the most awesome Processing script enabling me to do something I have thought of since I first started looking at life through the lens of a laser. I whipped out a design and scored it on Proofgrade acrylic and did a quick temporary mount using programmable RGB LEDs. That got me thinking about what would be the best way to mount something like this. I’ve been thinking of picture frames and the…

Shadow box for edge lit acrylic design

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Functional Cardboard Construction

A functional cardboard construct

I found myself pondering a design the other morning as I was cleaning up after one of the cats that would help organize the litter scoop. I figure if I made it out of cardboard I could just recycle it every month or so if it gets dirty. So, I spent a few minutes drawing it out on paper, then took some general measurements and set to work in Illustrator. A short time later I had a little scooper box. [image] I ended up using some wood glue on the seams to make it a bit more rigid and sturdy…

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Putting Fold Lines into Origami Paper - Test Run

Perforating Origami Paper for Folding - Test Run

This is a continuation of a discussion on another thread on how to get the Glowforge to create fold lines for really thin papers like origami papers. (Since a couple of non-regularly-posting forum members have asked me about the potential as well, I’m going to post the test here so they’ll see it too, I think they read the highlights.) Okay, some of us were thinking that it would be impossible to just crease something as thin as origami paper with the laser, and that it would burn …

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Perforating Origami Paper for Folding - Test Run

Note that we haven’t enabled the lowest possible power operation yet in prerelease units, so things will change (for the better).

Scroll Saw Bowl Reincarnated

Scroll Saw Bowl Re-Reborn (Re-incarnated?)

Continuing the discussion from Scroll saw bowl reborn: Been working with @jordanloshinsky to assist him in making his squiggle bowl design a reality on the Glowforge. Here is what I have come up with so far. In cardboard and hot glued. The biggest challenge is figuring out how to accurately position each successive ring. I’m not that precise of a guy. [image] [image] [image] This next is the 1/4" acrylic that I found. It didn’t cut all the way through on some of the inner rings so I had…

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Batch Production with a Jig

Tutorial - Batch Production With a Jig

A number of people have mentioned their intent to use the glowforge for repeated creation of a design. I am currently in the process of doing that for some wedding invites, so I figured I would show you guys how im going about it, as you might find it helpful in your own exploits. This is going to be long winded, so be prepared. Lets get started Some good friends of mine are getting married. They are both graphic designers and wanted some cool invites, and I happen to have a laser… so I said ‘…

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Flashdance

Pre-Release | Flashdance

Supplies: Proofgrade 1/8" Black & Clear Acrylic - Op Time <2mins As Team Glowforge finalize their proofgrade settings, I’ve noticed a bit of flashback on a couple of the clear acrylic pieces in the last couple days. Sometimes I get it- Sometimes I don’t. Par of the course of being a canary in the mine so to speak. But I’d like to be able to not have it while they figure things out. Especially since the next couple projects I am planning to use the clear acrylic as an accent piece. And also with…

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High Flyers

High flyers

I was going through a phase this weekend where I played around with some WWII plane designs. I’d done the Zero earlier and had fun with it so decided to make some more. The process is pretty simple and straight forward. I look for blueprints online of interesting aircraft and then trace the side profile in and the wings from the top profile. [image] I had fun adding the symbols to the wings and fuselages so they’d be easier to identify and tried to stick with some distinctive/famous aircra…

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Leather Wallet

Pre-Release | Leather Wallet

Supplies: Proofgrade Leather 2-3oz & Random Leather - Op time: Grab bag leather 30mins - Proofgrade Leather 27 mins I am going start off with- No research was done. Just wanted to do it and learn from it. And that I did. I wanted to attempt to make a wallet. But I wanted something unique to me on it. The one milestone thing for me last year was designing my building my CNC. It took a couple months and all the features sets I want to achieved were fulfilled. I opened up F360, Then opened the m…

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Micro Millenium Falcon

Micro-model falcon

One of my friends has been asking me to make him a golf marker. Apparently the general requirements around that are to have something round and about the size of a large coin or the ball that you can place on the ground instead of the ball itself. I liked the idea of a tiny spaceship and I had some 1/4" Corian scraps that would provide some material for it, so I started looking for suitable pictures to use on the web. Once I found one and converted it into vector (not actually a requirement s…

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Hanging Around

Hanging Around

Always in awe of those that can easily create professional looking, artistic and precision things. I tend to be more of a “keep it mostly functional”, 2X4 quality builder. So here’s my first design for a folk style balance toy. 12" tall. 3 minutes in the Glowforge, a lifetime on the shelf. [image] [Banjo Guy]

Banjo Guy

Modern Housewarming Gift

Very Modern housewarming gift

I helped some friends move a bit ago and have since made them a housewarming gift. They fall into the category of wonderfully odd people. This is a take on a Victorian shop sign. The body, skull, and red background are all cut on the Glowforge while the black detail was engraved and painted black.The letters were just scored and the paper backing removed which let me easily paint them by hand. From design to final paint I think this took about 4 hours total. Oh, the red disc had …

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Depth Map Tutorial for 3D Engraving

Tutorial - Creating a Depth Map from a 3D Model for 3D Engraving!

Here is a quick and easy tutorial that I know a lot of you will find useful. Creating a depth map from a 3d file! This will allow you to do 3d engravings like the ones youve seen me post. First you will need to download and install Meshlab. Its free and open source: http://www.meshlab.net/ Next, import whatever file you want to make a depth map from. Im gonna use Han Solo in carbonite. [File → Import Mesh] (if you dont have a 3d model, just google what you are looking for + “3d model”. Youll…

Fantastical Finds from the Forum

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DIY Rhino

Next step for cardboard animal bust

Once you’ve cut your animal bust (with a laser), finish it up. I like this look better than the assembled cardboard look. Both have their places, though.

Alien T-Rex

Alien T-Rex!

Instructables did a T-rex 3d model, but with a twist, he did it on clear acrylic. What would be cool is if you could figure out a way to edge-light some of the pieces, could look really cool in the dark. The intractable is here: http://www.instructables.com/id/A-nearly-invisible-Tyrannosaurus-Rex-made-on-a-las/ [image]

All A’board

All a'board!

[image] My son just spent the afternoon cutting out cardboard tiles with scissors for a game he’s creating. Once again he asked, “When’s the glowforge getting here, these scissors are a pain!” Oh the thousand ways a laser could be used, and a new opportunity every day I told him, “work on your game dynamics and concepts while you wait.” That’s what my wife keeps telling me!

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Inspiration

Scroll Saw Bowl Re-Reborn (Re-incarnated?)

Here they are: [image] [image]

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Topological Maps Sources

Great Topological maps source

Hey all! Been lurking in the forums since I preordered, so this is my first post, but this resource is just too good not to share! NatGeo has released a tool that lets you find topological maps very easily. Seeing as these make great line art for all kinds of projects, it’s nice to have such an easy way to find em! http://www.natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/pdf-quads

https://viewer.nationalmap.gov/basic/?basemap=b1&category=histtopo,ustopo&title=Map%20View

School Campus Project

Haven't had the time for a write-up

This semester I have been over committed on projects. One of them was to do some models of a re-design for the campus of a charter school in town. I belted out the models in Inkscape with some architect’s conceptual drawings of floorplans for the new buildings, the blueprints of the existing building, and Google Maps overhead satellite imaging of the plot. Here is the video presentation of the models. I got to play cameraman for that Being able to step up the presentation qua…

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Awesome Warning

Potentially harmful levels of awesome

I ran across this on thingiverse. Pretty self explanatory. Ha P.S. still Jonesing… Does anyone else picture @dan peeking through the door (Jack Nicholson! ) “It’s Glowie!”

Laser Cuttable PC Case Idea?

Laser cut PC case idea

There is a UK youtuber who has a channel called “DIY Perks” where he makes lots of interesting DIY projects that involve making innovative and useful decoration and utility items from easily obtainable bits and pieces from hardware and electronics stores. His latest video was a compact computer case made from MDF. This particular project is available in kit form, and he’s also made the templates available for free. The kits are cut using a CNC and his DIY method involves lots of cutting and dri…

Build your own PC case from scratch (how-to-guide)

Nutella Lock

Nutella lock

Found this online. This should be an easy one to make, and fairly adaptable to other sized jars as well, as long as they are shaped appropriately. [image]

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Shared Icon Files

Free Vector files

I should share our agency’s small side project full of SVG files: to [icon] Unfortunately I don’t know which styles will be best for GF projects, but we’ve had fun using them on a CNC. When our GF arrives we will likely be engraving icons on everything we can get our hands on.

Fusion 360 Webinar Series

Instructables 3D live training

Just got this email today from Instructables about their upcoming free classes on learning 3D modeling. (Fusion 360 based) Join hundreds of students around the world for a free, three-part live webinar series on 3D printing, called Design Now: Hour of Making In Motion. Enroll here https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6314364817131555586?source=Instructables for the second seminar next week and learn to make a Giant Knob Lamp https://www.instructables.com/id/Giant-Knob-Lamp/#CPK41HGJ08EIVZ…

Fusion 360 Post Processing

Fusion 360 slicing for lasers

For folks looking for another way to get slices out of a 3D model to laser cut for things like those dinosaur and other slide together models here’s something you can do with Fusion 360. https://www.acemonstertoys.org/fusion-360-for-laser-cutting/

Hydraulic Robot Arm

Perhaps a new GF Project? Hydraulic Robot Arm

Thought this looked pretty cool and looks to be definitely a project worthy of the GF [How to Make Hydraulic Powered Robotic Arm from Cardboard]

How to Make Hydraulic Powered Robotic Arm from Cardboard

Layered Lamps

Interesting lamps on Instructables

Saw this tutorial on Instructables to make layered lamps. Very beautiful! He made these from paper and hand cut them out, but would be much easier on the GF. Would look great in colored acrylic!

Interesting Optical Illusions

Phenakistoscopes

Speaking of frame rate . . . One of many cool videos syncing camera frame rate to helicopter blades. [camera shutter speed and frame rate match helicopter`s rotor]

camera shutter speed and frame rate match helicopter`s rotor

Phenakistoscopes

Reminds me of this: [iphone 4 inside a guitar oscillation! VERY GOOD!]

iphone 4 inside a guitar oscillation! VERY GOOD!

Shadowbox Display

A moving tribute

@makesomething Dave, I just wanted to say that the Shadow Box video was a lovely tribute to your father. I for one have certainly been missing your videos. Very best wishes. Ian [Pool Cue Shadowbox Display | Tribute to Dad]

Pool Cue Shadowbox Display | Tribute to Dad

Pop-ups

Inspiring pop up cards and books

Just saw this guy. Absolutely insane. Peter Dahmen paper Design. Sorry for the quick post, but at work… [Most Satisfying Video of Pop-Up Cards designed by Peter Dahmen]

Most Satisfying Video of Pop-Up Cards designed by Peter Dahmen

Deck Boxes

Custom card holder

I’ve been making stuff for a local video/board gaming convention coming up in April. Wanted to make some card holders and dice towers. Found a design I liked on Cartonus and designed it to my liking. It fits at least 60 cards in standard protective sleeves and has extra room for dice and/ or counters. The YuGI YO one is actually for my son…test run if you will…lol For locals, they can come by the shop and add custom engraving. [image] Etched through the masking and sprayed it with black…

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Paper Scale Models - Space Shuttle

AXM Paper Models - Spacecraft models

A laser may be useful for these. They’ll be a blast to download and make either way. Let your space-freak flag fly! Here is one model I particularly like: http://www.axmpaperspacescalemodels.com/old/OrionEFT-1.html#.WNZ6jDvyuUk

Headgehog Inspiration

https://community.glowforge.com/t/the-daily-rant-words-of-encouragement-humor-birthday-wishes-etc/3263/445?u=jules

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Compact Dice Tower

https://community.glowforge.com/t/compact-dice-tower/6679?u=jules

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Another Glowbaby joins the fold! Congrats @morganstanfield & Jerome!

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[Tom_A]

Okay… Crazy amount of work going into this it seems! Thanks for doing it!

[Sam]

Indeed, thanks @Jules! It’s nice to get a concise list of laser related tid bits every week

[timtsuga]

Great summary as usual @Jules

I would also add this link to USGS Maps besides the ones available thru National Geographic.

https://viewer.nationalmap.gov/basic/?basemap=b1&category=histtopo,ustopo&title=Map%20View

This link was posted by @GenieSoul and was inside the link by @snookted

The USGS link includes vector layers of the quad maps which increases the usefulness in laser work.

[hansepe]

As always so much inspiration, knowledge, and “^&*! how did I miss that?” in this compilation.

Thank you very much @Jules

[jordanloshinsky]

I completely missed the mendala lamp. Thanks @Jules for your dedication to the highlights.