Glowforge – the MiniFabLab becomes serious

The lasercutter is the workhorse of any real fablab. A 3D printer will create awareness for digital fabrication, but is no tool compared to a lasercutter or a router. But lasercutters are expensive and need an exhaust. Even the small FullSpectrum with a bed of 50 x 30 cms, as you see in Frysklab and the MiniFabLab, lists for $3499, but almost $5k with tax and transport. Lasercutters do not pop up in the living room like Ultimakers do.

Enter the GLOWFORGE,  branded as ‘the 3D Laser Printer‘

It is a full blown 40 W lasercutter/engraver with a 50 x 30 cms bed, closed cooling, air assist, autofocus, position cameras, wifi, everything, see the full specs.
For $1995 pre-order. Alas, shipping to Holland is $954 and there will be 21% VAT.

With the optional $500 HEPA air filter under it you can use it in any room.
And classified as a Class 1 laser – just like a DVD-player – it may be used everywhere.
Bart Bakker ordered one to test at the MiniFabLab as we think that the 10K fablab is really here.
This tool will boost fablabs/makerspaces in schools and libraries. And at home.

UPDATE 25sep. Dan Shapiro: “Cofounder/CEO here, just finished with Makercon and catching up. The Glowforge does require a cloud connection to operate.”  That sounds nasty as www.glowforge.com nowhere mentions this. What is cloud? Internet? The detailed specs only mention wifi.

UPDATE 29sep.  I asked Glowforge. They mail:
“The Glowforge does require an internet connection to fully operate.”