The Glowforge name carries with it a huge deal of respect and excitement across the worlds of making and education. Their 3D laser printers are incredibly precise and powerful and come in two primary options: the Glowforge Plus and the Glowforge Pro. It's always been a wonderful partnership for us and we continue to proudly offer these printers on our store. Perfect for makerspace learning and illustrating design thinking skills, the laser cutter and engraver technology within the Glowforge models helps children create perfect prints using tons of different materials. As for the Glowforge prices, the Glowforge Pro is under $6,000.00 and the Glowforge Plus is under $4,500.00.
As a 3D laser printer, students and makers can use these Glowforge machines to make three-dimensional objects from digital designs. They can download or choose to create their own design using free Glowforge 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 comes with easy design features, like simply dragging elements for their designs into place. If you have looked up a Glowforge review, you're likely aware that among the hundreds of materials kids can print with are wood, leather, cloth, or even chocolate. Plus, educators can find lots of Glowforge projects in the 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 you 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 students who need prints more frequently and quickly. Beyond that, its upgraded linear system supports quicker 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 high. This is actually the standard size that all Glowforge printers can handle. To this point, its maximum printable area is 11 inches by 19.5 inches.
What differentiates the Glowforge Pro?
Then, we have the Glowforge Pro—the most powerful Glowforge printer, which is typically perfect for larger makerspaces, high schools, or colleges. Also, its engraving speed is three times faster than the Glowforge Basic and the cutting speed is faster as well. Like the Glowforge Plus, the Pro model also comes with a 12-month warranty. The biggest differentiator, however, is its Pro Passthrough slot in the front and in 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 its Passthrough slot, anybody can manufacture huge prints, like furniture, simply by printing the first 10 inches. Then, it's as easy as sliding 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 some safety training. The trainings are included as part of the purchase. It even 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 ever needing to be paused, it 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 have used Glowforge products before, each of the Glowforge models is easy to set up and makers can print unique projects using hundreds of various materials. Their free software is user-friendly and other Glowforge features, like live camera preview, 3D autofocus, and cloud simplicity help too. Because both of the Glowforge machines can run from a browser, there's no software installation needed. The 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 these materials with great 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 fast.
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 slightly 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, which allows them to truly use these laser printers anywhere they'd like. The Compact Filter Cartridge is a drop-in replacement teachers can grab if they're running these machines a lot. It slides right into the Air Filter and it 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'd encourage you to visit our store to learn more. You can also place your order or request a quote right from these pages. If you have questions about Glowforge printers or accessories, feel free to get in touch with us! Be sure you follow us on Twitter (X) and Instagram as well for all other news and updates from the world of STEM education and MakerEd.
