Glowforge General Safety

The Glowforge unit’s laser cuts and engraves with a beam of high-intensity infrared light. The laser can generate extremely high temperatures in the material being cut or engraved. Under some circumstances, it is possible for the material inside the Glowforge unit to ignite and for the flame to spread outside of the area being cut or engraved. If ignited, the flame could destroy the unit and spread, potentially setting fire to the building.

To stop your cut at any time, pause from the app OR hit the magic button. 

DO NOT OPEN THE LID.

Fire Risk

  • Do not put anything inside the Glowforge printer that is not DSI approved material, even if you do not intend to cut or engrave it. 
  • Do not stack materials; for example attempting to cut two or more sheets of material at a time. Multiple sheets are more likely to burn.
  • Clean out leftover bits inside the Glowforge unit when it builds up. 
  • Do not place things on top of the Glowforge unit. Do not store things that can catch fire above it.
  • When a print is complete, certain materials, can remain hot. Allow your materials to cool down before you touch them.

Get a DSI Assistant for help if:

  • Fire or embers appear during your cut
  • Something unexpected happens

Smoke and Fume Safety

When you use the Glowforge, the laser creates visible and invisible aerosols, gasses, vapors, and particulates (referred to here as “smoke and fumes”). The smoke and fumes can include carbon monoxide and other chemicals which present health hazards, as well as being unpleasant and stinky. The chemical composition of the smoke and fumes depend on the material being lasered. Smoke and fumes from laser-compatible materials are controlled by exhaust or filtration.

Only operate your Glowforge unit when it is exhausted through the Glowforge Air Filter. Failure to exhaust will cause smoke and fumes to escape into the room, presenting a risk of health hazards or death.

When operating the Glowforge, always keep the Air Filter running while turning on or off the Glowforge itself.

The Air Filter should be the FIRST thing you turn on and the LAST thing you turn off.

To prevent smoke and fumes from escaping the unit, do not open the lid until you have given the filter enough time to exhaust the remaining particles.  Check that the app has stated that the print is complete and also give a visual check that all the smoke has cleared from the machine before opening the lid. 

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EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: do NOT open the lid while the Glowforge's laser is active. 

There may be some odor present while printing. However, if you detect a strong, sharp smell that also causes eyes, nose, or throat irritation, or if there is visible smoke escaping while the lid is closed, stop immediately and request assistance from a DSI assistant. 

Keep watch during operation

Never leave the Glowforge unit unattended while operating – always stay within sight. Look inside frequently.

  • A small, candle-like flame where the laser beam strikes the material is normal. This flame should move with the laser and should not remain lit when the laser has moved past. If there is a lasting flame inside the Glowforge unit that does not extinguish when the laser has moved past:
    1. Pull the plug on the back of the unit.
    2. Immediately seek assistance from the DSI Student Workers. 
    3. If the fire cannot be extinguished or if it spreads outside the Glowforge unit, call your local emergency number (for example 911) and evacuate the building.

Do not touch the head or arm of the Glowforge unit while the power is on. If you do so by accident, turn it off, then back on again to prevent the possibility of damage.

Parts of this product are made of glass that could break under impact. Should that happen, be careful to avoid injury by broken glass pieces.

Glowforge Safety Information is replicated from the Glowforge Safety Article Links to an external site.