Glowforge Aura Craft Laser GFD200 User Manual

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Glowforge Aura™ Craft Laser™

Printer

User Manual

Version 1.0

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Page 1 Glowforge Aura™ Craft Laser™ Printer User Manual Version 1.0...
Page 2: Before You Start
Introduction Welcome! And thank you. We’re so grateful to share Glowforge Aura with you, and to introduce you to all the amazing features you’ll use to create wonderful things. The best part of Glowforge Aura is our generous, welcoming community — we’re so happy to have you as a part of it.
Page 3: Electrical Safety
● 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. ● Under rare circumstances, materials or components inside your Glowforge unit may become hot during printing.
Page 4: Laser Safety
● Clean out leftover bits inside the Glowforge unit when it builds up. (See “ Cleaning ”) ● Do not place anything on top of the Glowforge unit. Do not store things that can catch ﬁre above it. ● Do not store sources of ﬂammable vapors like oil-based paint, acetone, gasoline, or alcohol in the same room as your Glowforge unit.
Page 5: Additional Laser Safety Information
Additional Laser Safety Information The Glowforge Aura Craft Laser (Model Number GFD200) is a Class 1 laser product as deﬁned in International Standard IEC 60825-1. - 5 -...
Page 6 The Glowforge Aura contains a Class 4 embedded laser source, known as the Laser Head, which is fully enclosed by the product safety enclosure with safety interlock that reduces the product to a Class 1 laser product. In the image below the Laser Head is indicated, all operators should be aware that the Laser Head is a class 4 laser source with the laser beam path exiting from the bo om of the head towards the base plate of the product.
Page 7 CAUTION ! Do not modify or tamper with the safety enclosure, viewing window or interlocks of your Glowforge. CAUTION ! Do not attempt to use a Glowforge unit that has suﬀered physical damage to the safety enclosure, viewing window or interlocks.
Page 8: Safety Equipment
Safety Equipment Be sure carbon monoxide detectors are installed and tested in the building as recommended by local codes and manufacturer recommendations. Do not connect your Glowforge Aura to a Glowforge Performance Filter™; they are not compatible! - 8 -...
Page 9 Many food products can be engraved, and some can even be cut. However, residue from prints on acrylic or other materials might be present in your Glowforge and could contaminate food that you put in your Glowforge. For that reason, if you use your Glowforge for materials other than food, then don’t eat...
Page 10: Operating Environment
Operating Environment To prolong the life of your Glowforge unit and to reduce the risk of ﬁre or mechanical failure, do not put the Glowforge unit where it could experience: ● Extreme temperature or humidity ○...
Page 11 ● There are any cracks in the case, lid, or trim ● You see any moisture present inside the Glowforge unit ● You see any damage to the interior components of the Glowforge unit ● You notice unusual light coming from the unit that was not occurring previously.
Page 12 ES: Encuentre información sobre seguridad en el apéndice. FR: Retrouvez les informations de sécurité en annexe. Glowforge Model Details Glowforge Aura Glowforge Model No. GFD 200 Product Classiﬁcation Class 1 Warranty 12 months Laser power rating Upgraded hardware for improved speed...
Page 13 For more information or support, contact us through our Help & Learning Center support.glowforge.com The following label information applies to the Glowforge Aura The Manufacturer’s Label will appear on the back of every Glowforge Aura, with an appropriate serial number, in the positions indicated. (Please see next page.) - 13 -...
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Page 16 Glowforge Aura FCC Warning Statements FCC ID 2A83C-BZQ6R The Glowforge Aura complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Page 17 1. This device may not cause interference. 2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. (Per RSS-Gen, Section 8.4.) Unboxing & Se ing Up Ge ing Acquainted - 17 -...
Page 18: Let's Get Started
We’re here to help, though! If any part of your Glowforge Aura is visibly damaged out of the box, we want to make it right as soon as possible! Send photos of the damage to support@glowforge.com and wait until you hear back from us.
Page 19 2. Using two hands, remove the top foam piece from the box, and voila! You’ve revealed your Glowforge Aura printer. 3. Lift your printer out of the box and place it on your stable surface. Remove the clear plastic bag.
Page 20 4. In the box where your printer was you’ll ﬁnd a cardboard sleeve containing your cu ing tray. Remove this sleeve from the box and set it aside — you’ll need it shortly! - 20 -...
Page 21 5. Open the lid to reveal more boxes containing the laser head, power cable, and vent hose. - 21 -...
Page 22 6. Open the cardboard package closest to the front of the printer bed. Remove the exhaust hose and power cord and set them aside. You can also remove the bo om cardboard piece. - 22 -...
Page 23 7. Next, you’ll set up the laser head. It’s packed snugly in the black foam cube in the top left area of the printer bed. The laser head is already a ached to your printer with a laser ribbon cable, so take care not to disconnect it.
Page 24 9. Carefully lift the laser head out of the foam block. Take care not to pull or twist the laser ribbon cable. - 24 -...
Page 25 10. Hold the laser head in one hand and remove the rest of the cardboard insert from the printer bed. - 25 -...
Page 26 11. Next you’ll place the laser head on the magnetic dock. It’s the black square mounted on the two silver laser rails. Set the laser head on the dock with the laser ribbon cable at the back and the Glowforge logo reading left to right. You’ll feel it magnetically snap into place.
Page 27 12. You may ﬁnd some foam pieces tucked under the rails on the left and right side. Gently remove them by pulling out, then up, and store them with your other packaging. - 27 -...
Page 28 13. Once you’ve a ached the laser head, it’s time to align the rails! It’s most likely that your laser arm is already si ing perfectly straight, but just in case there’s any skew there, these steps will take care of it. 14.
Page 29 15. Now, still holding on to the end caps, gently push the laser arm all the way to the back. Again, apply some pressure to make sure both end caps are ﬂush with the back. - 29 -...
Page 30 16. Remember that cardboard sleeve you removed earlier? Open the sleeve and remove the cu ing tray. 17. Slide the cu ing tray into your Aura. The handles on the left and right sides will slide into the notches on either side of your printer. It should ﬁt snugly.
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Page 32 18. Almost done! Your printer should look like this. - 32 -...
Page 33 19. Save everything! If you need to move your Glowforge Aura, or ship it (for example, for warranty service), you’ll need all the original parts: boxes, foam, plastic covering, cardboard inserts. Store them safely. Exhaust Setup 1. Connect your exhaust hose to the back of your printer by sliding the rubber ring over the exhaust connection.
Page 34 2. If you’re using a Glowforge Personal Filter, connect the other end of the hose to the lip on the top, and refer to the Glowforge Personal Filter Manual to complete setup. 3. To vent outdoors, connect the other end of the hose to the outdoors through a window or a vent that connects directly outside.
Page 35: Connect To Electrical Power
Glowforge Aura. Connect to Electrical Power 1. Finally, connect the power cord to the back of the printer and plug it into an outlet. 2. Your printer automatically turns oﬀ after 30 minutes. To turn it back on, open th lid. To turn your printer on or oﬀ, simply turn on and oﬀ the power at the outlet.
Page 36 To learn more, go to glowforge.com/premium. Proofgrade® Material Your Glowforge Aura printer comes with a sample of Proofgrade material. Proofgrade materials are specially designed for your Glowforge Aura to help you get perfect prints every time. - 36 -...
Page 37 Each piece of Proofgrade material has a unique digital code that your Glowforge can read, telling it exactly which se ings to use for pristine cuts and engraves.
Page 38 Using the Passthrough Slots Passthrough slots are located on both sides of your Glowforge Aura printer. By using these slots, you can print on material that’s as long as you want, and up to 12” wide and 3/16” thick. - 38 -...
Page 39 You can access each Passthrough slot by pulling out the silver handle on the Passthrough door located on each side of your Glowforge Aura. The Passthrough door will fold out from the side. - 39 -...
Page 40 Moving material through the Passthrough slots ● If your material is long enough to stick out either end, make sure that you put something underneath it so that the part inside your Glowforge Aura stays ﬂat on the cu ing tray.
Page 41: Power Off
Cleaning, Service, and Moving Power Oﬀ Always turn your Glowforge Aura oﬀ by disconnecting from power at the outlet before cleaning or moving. Printer Floor and Cu ing Tray Remove leftover cu ing and engraving bits from the ﬂoor and the crumb tray whenever there is a buildup.
Page 42 With the cu ing tray removed, remove, sweep, or vacuum out any tiny remains of past projects that have fallen onto the printer ﬂoor. Wipe away any remaining bits with a cleaning wipe. - 42 -...
Page 43 Laser Rails If the rails get dirty, you’ll experience misaligned prints and double images. Every ten hours of printing, use an alcohol cleaning wipe (such as a Lysol wipe or similar) to wipe oﬀ any dust and buildup from the metal surfaces of the laser rails.
Page 44 Diﬀuser and Lid Camera Lens If you notice buildup on the diﬀuser, or if your camera images are dark, gently use a lens cleaning wipe (such as a Zeiss lens wipe ) to wipe it. Take care not to apply excess pressure to the diﬀuser when cleaning. - 44 -...
Page 45 You can also use a lens cleaning wipe to remove any dust and buildup from the lid camera lens. - 45 -...
Page 46 Service The Glowforge Aura printer may not be serviced or repaired by the user. Should service or repair be required, it must be returned to the factory; contact us through our Help & Learning Center at support.glowforge.com for instructions. Moving your Glowforge Aura Changing to a New Wi-Fi Network 1.
Page 47 Packaging your Glowforge Aura to move Whether it’s for a big move, taking your Glowforge Aura to an event, or for a warranty repair, you’ll need to package your printer properly with the original boxes, cardboard blocks, and foam. The box is specially designed to protect your Glowforge Aura.
Page 48 4. Carefully move the laser head to the center of the laser rails. - 48 -...
Page 49 5. Find the two foam pieces that ﬁt against the laser arm caps. They each have a cut-out corresponding to the shape of one end cap. Place each foam piece over the laser rails, then slide it to the side until it ﬁts over the end cap.
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Page 51 6. Lift the laser head, separating it from the magnetic dock. Slide the laser head into its foam piece with the logo facing up. The laser ribbon cable will slide through the slot at the top of the foam piece behind the head. - 51 -...
Page 52 7. With the secured laser head in one hand, use your other hand to place the top cardboard insert into your Glowforge Aura. - 52 -...
Page 53 8. Put the packed laser head into the left-hand side of the cardboard insert. Then, place the square foam piece over the laser head. - 53 -...
Page 54 9. Put the bo om cardboard insert into your Glowforge Aura. - 54 -...
Page 55 10. Close the lid on your Glowforge Aura. 11. Place the Glowforge Aura back into its box. - 55 -...
Page 56 Glowforge Aura can do. So go ahead — jump right in! - 56 -...
Page 57 After you sign in, you will see your Dashboard, featuring designs you’ve recently worked with, as well as some designs from the Glowforge Catalog to get you started. 2. Get the Greetings from Sea le LED Tealight Holder design One of the ﬁrst designs in your Starter Designs is the “Greetings from Sea le LED...
Page 58 If you don’t see the Greetings from Sea le LED Tealight Holder, use the search box on the left to ﬁnd it. 3. Open your design to print it - 58 -...
Page 59 Click on the LED Tealight Holder and open the ﬁrst part. 4. Place Copy Paper on the Cu ing Tray We’ll be printing the ﬁrst part of this design on 20lb Copy Paper (Printer Paper) and Proofgrade Light Basswood Plywood. Open the lid of your Glowforge Aura. - 59 -...
Page 60 5. Place and size your design You will see an image of your material in the workspace of the Glowforge app. Click and drag your design to place it where you want it on your material. The design will print approximately where you place the outline on the workspace.
Page 61 Notice that this new artwork became a step in the sidebar. You are able to control whether portions of your design are cut, scored, or engraved just by selecting the step. Because this is a design from the Glowforge Catalog, all the se ings have already been set for you..
Page 62 7. Push the magic bu on! Click “Print” at the top of your Workspace. The software will take a moment to prepare your design. When everything is ready, you’ll see the estimated printing time. - 62 -...
Page 63 The bu on on your Glowforge Aura will blink. If you’re using a Glowforge Personal Filter, its bu on will also blink when a print is ready to start. Press the bu on on your Glowforge Aura to start your ﬁrst print!
Page 64 Remember - never leave your Glowforge Aura una ended while it’s printing. If you need to walk away for any reason, press the bu on on your Glowforge Aura once to pause the print, and once again to unpause it.
Page 65 We’ll be printing this base on Proofgrade Light Basswood Plywood. Open the lid of your Glowforge Aura. Take a sheet of Proofgrade Light Basswood Plywood, and place it into the printer bed. It should lay ﬂat against the cu ing tray, with the QR code facing up.
Page 66 Your app workspace will refresh, showing the material you just placed. - 66 -...
Page 67 Because you are using Proofgrade material, the app has automatically detected the type of Proofgrade material in your printer thanks to the QR code, and automatically loaded the right se ings for a perfect print. 11. Push the magic bu on! Click “Print”...
Page 68 Remove the protective masking from both sides; a piece of Gorilla tape can speed this along. Follow the step-by-step assembly instructions shown on the right side of the Glowforge app. If you do not see the instructions, click the 3-dots menu at the top and select “Design Details”. - 68 -...
Page 69 13. Finishing touches Congratulations, you’ve created your ﬁrst Glowforge Aura print! After assembling your design, place an optional LED tea light into it and enjoy! - 69 -...
Page 70 Finding Community & Support Having trouble? Want to do something new? We’ll do our best to help you succeed! - 70 -...
Page 71 ﬁnd exactly what you need. Community Chat Glowforge Community Chat is our newest community feature that lets Glowforge Owners connect with each other in real-time lively discussion. Community Chat is powered by Discord and only Glowforge Owners can participate.
Page 72: Community Forum
Community Forum Most Glowforge owners have registered at the Glowforge Community Forum, where hundreds of Glowforge owners post each day. You’ll ﬁnd some incredibly talented (and helpful) folks who can provide assistance, suggestions, and ideas. Made on a Glowforge section is a great place to go for inspiration. You can...

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Summary of Contents for Glowforge Aura Craft Laser GFD200

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