How to laser cut using Glowforge materials

1. Create your file for laser cutting using Adobe Illustrator and save file as SVG, PDF, JPG, GIF, BMP or PNG.
2. Login in to glowforge.com.
3. Switch on laser cutter (switch at back of machine) and place Glowforge material on bed of laser cutter. The camera will read the QR code on the Glowforge material and set the speed and power using the QR code.
4. Select ‘Create new design’ and ‘Upload a file’ (see photo 1). Your computer screen will display the bed of the laser cutter, the material you placed on the bed of the laser cutter, and the file you uploaded. If you are using black acrylic, put a piece of white paper under it so you can see it. Make sure to remove it before laser cutting.

 

Photo 1

5. Move the uploaded file to the space on the material you wish to cut (make sure it is within the material and not overlapping any edges).
6. Check the ‘Engrave’ and ‘Cut’ settings to check your file will be engraved and cut as desired. Solid shapes will be engraved, thin lines will be cut (if the uploaded file is not correct return to Illustrator, adjust file, and upload a new file).

7. Switch on extraction unit (the laser cutter will not run without fume extraction).
8. Press ‘Print’ to send your file to laser cutter. This is the stage where you would remove white paper from the machine if using black acrylic. You may need to repeat some previous steps as the lid has been opened).

9. To start laser cutter, press flashing switch on top of laser cutter. Your computer screen will display how long your file will take to cut and when process is complete. If anything goes wrong, press ‘Stop’ on your computer.
10. Wait until your computer says the cutting has finished and then open lid and remove material.
11. Switch off laser cutter and extraction unit.

 

How to laser cut not using Glowforge materials

1. Create your file for laser cutting using Adobe Illustrator and save file as SVG, PDF, JPG, GIF, BMP or PNG.
2. Login in to glowforge.com.
3. Switch on Glowforge laser cutter (switch at back of machine) and place material on bed of laser cutter.
4. Select ‘Create new design’ and ‘Upload a file’ (see photo 1). Your computer screen will display the bed of the laser cutter, the material you placed on the bed of the laser cutter and the file you uploaded. If you are using black acrylic, put a piece of white paper under it so you can see it. Make sure to remove it before laser cutting.

Photo 1

5. Move your uploaded file to the space on the material you wish to cut (make sure it is within the material and not overlapping edges).
6. Check the ‘Engrave’ and ‘Cut’ settings on your file to make sure your file will be cut and engraved as required. Solid shapes will be engraved, thin lines will be cut (if the uploaded file is not correct return to Illustrator, adjust file, and upload a new file).

7. Switch on extraction unit (the laser cutter will not run without fume extraction).
8. Press ‘Print’ to send your file to laser cutter. (This is the stage where you would remove white paper from the machine if using black acrylic. You may need to repeat some previous steps as the lid has been opened).

9. To start laser cutter, press flashing switch on top of laser cutter. Your computer screen will display how long your file will take to cut. If anything goes wrong, press ‘Stop’ on your computer.
10. Wait until your computer says the cutting has finished and then open lid and remove material.
11. Switch off laser cutter and extraction unit.