The Glowforge name carries with it a great deal of respect and excitement in the worlds of making and education. Their 3D laser printers are very precise and powerful and come in two main options: The Glowforge Plus and the Glowforge Pro. Last year we finalized this partnership and continue to proudly offer these printers on our store! Perfect for makerspace learning and teaching design thinking skills, the laser cutter and engraver technology found in the Glowforge models helps students create perfect prints out of tons of different materials! As for the Glowforge price, the Glowforge Pro is under $6,000.00 and the Glowforge Plus is under $4,000.00.
As a 3D laser printer, students and makers can use the Glowforge machines to make three-dimensional objects from digital designs. They can download or create their own design using Glowforge’s free software (included with each model). The laser will then cut and engrave the design for custom prints every time. Each of the Glowforge printers is compatible with Chromebooks, Macs, PCs, or tablets and include easy design features, like simply dragging elements for the design into place. If you've looked up a Glowforge review, you're probably aware that among the hundreds of materials you can print with are wood, leather, cloth, and even chocolate. Plus, educators can find plenty of Glowforge projects in their online portal.
Glowforge Plus vs. Pro.
For use in schools, the two Glowforge models that work the best are the Plus and the Pro. The Glowforge Plus is slightly more affordable and still provides plenty of power and speed. Its top engraving speed is twice as fast as the Basic model, for example. This helps make the Plus model ideal for makers who need prints frequently and quickly. Beyond that, it has an upgraded linear system to support faster motor speeds. And, its built-in optics provide maximum cutting capability.
In terms of output and temperature, the Plus model will pause periodically to cool as needed. This is more common in warmer environments and the Plus should work great in environments of up to 75°F. As for the laser, the Plus model features a Class 1 laser and can accommodate materials up to 18 inches deep, 20.4 inches wide, and two inches tall. This is actually the standard size that all Glowforge models can handle. To this point, the maximum printable area is 11 inches by 19.5 inches.
What differentiates the Glowforge Pro?
Then, there’s the Glowforge Pro—the most powerful Glowforge printer and perfect for larger makerspaces, high schools, or colleges. Also, its engraving speed is three times faster than the Glowforge Basic and its cutting speed is faster as well. Like the Glowforge Plus, the Pro also comes with a 12-month warranty. Its biggest differentiator, however, is the Passthrough slot in the front and the back. This slot allows users to print materials that are up to 20 inches wide, up to a quarter of an inch thick, and as long as they want! Thanks to the Passthrough slot, anyone can manufacture huge prints, like furniture, simply by printing the first 10 inches. Then, it's as easy as sliding the material through the slot and repeating.
With the addition of the Passthrough slot, the Glowforge Pro is considered a Class 4 laser. This means that anyone using the Pro is required to complete safety training. This training is included as part of the purchase. It also comes with Pro Shields for added safety, which is especially valuable when using the Pro with children. Beyond that, the Pro is designed to print all day without needing to pause, can be used in environments as warm as 81°F, and features a solid state cooling unit as well as a 45-watt laser for the fastest possible prints.
Embody versatility with hundreds of options.
If you've used Glowforge products before, each of the Glowforge models is easy to set up and makers can print with hundreds of various materials. The free printing software is user-friendly and other Glowforge features, like live camera preview, 3D autofocus, and cloud simplicity help make it awesome for education. Since the Glowforge machines can be run from a browser, there is no software installation needed. Students can simply drag designs and drop them right onto the material!
The live camera preview function allows users to see their design taking shape before beginning the actual printing process. The preview shows what the print will look like on various materials and students can use their finger or mouse to position it exactly how they want it. The autofocus technology works like a camera and features automatic focusing for cutting and engraving on materials with precision. Designing with either Glowforge laser cutter really is as simple as using a pen to draw directly onto materials. The on-board cameras scan the design and turn it into a tangible, personalized object that prints incredibly quickly!
Staying safe with the Glowforge Air Filter.
In terms of student safety, there are two additional components you could certainly use. Laser cutters often emit various substances, which can be a bit dangerous in sealed environments. For that reason, we also offer the Glowforge Air Filter and Glowforge Compact Filter Cartridge, which is brand-new to our store. The Air Filter essentially cleans the air around students as they print with one of the Glowforge machines, allowing them to use the laser printers anywhere they'd like. The Compact Filter Cartridge is a drop-in replacement teachers can grab if they're running the machines a lot. It slides right into the Air Filter and helps ensure maximum efficiency. You can find each of these accessories below.
If you'd like to add some Glowforge printers to your makerspace, we encourage you to visit our store to learn more. You can also place an order or request a quote from their pages. If you have any questions about the Glowforge printers or accessories, please feel free to get in touch with us! Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram as well for all other news and updates from the world of STEM education and MakerEd.
