Laser Cutters

What is Glowforge?

A machine that cuts, scores and engraves materials such as wood, leather and acrylic using a CO₂ laser. Using a camera in the lid of the machine, an image of the printable area (print bed) is transmitted wirelessly to the Glowforge Software. The software, which uses .svg files (scalable vector graphics) allows the user to choose how to “print” on a chosen material.

The Glowforge Software

The Glowforge software offers some tools to help create designs that are printable. These tools are very basic and include text, borders, shapes and straight lines. Glowforge also offers the ability to scan a drawing through the camera focused on the bed and import it into the design space of the software for “printing.”

The software also offers some editing capabilities to designs that have been imported such as grouping and resizing. The Glowforge software is only available to Glowforge owners and isn’t available to the public for download.

What is xTool?

A machine that cuts, scores and engraves materials such as wood, leather, and acrylic using a 55w CO2 laser. Using dual cameras the machine can show the printable area (print bed) in the xTool’s Creative Suite software to make it easy to align designs with materials. The P2’s cameras measure materials to set an exact focal height for your specific material. This allows for greater control over the cutting, scoring, and engraving settings.

The software uses .svg files (scalable vector graphics). .SVG files save images and text as mathematical formulas based on points and lines on a grid, making it possible for the tool to cut, score, or engrave based on those lines. The machine can work with other files types including .png or .jpeg files, but it might not be possible do more than engrave with these on the material provided.

The xTool software

The xTool software (xTool Creative Suite) is available for anyone to download. Users can create projects using a handful of very helpful graphic design and image editing tools. Files can be exported as a working file, which saves any settings the machine needs to complete the project, or can be exported as .svg files.

The xTool’s Creative Suite is not cloud-based, so designs made at home will need to be transferred to the library’s computer via USB. Any files created using the library’s computer will also need to be saved on an USB by the user or it will be deleted.

The Creative Suite also links to xTool’s DesignFind database that houses a library of designs both free and for purchase. These projects can be a good way to gain comfort with using the machine without having to learn how to design for it.

Creating .SVG Files

.SVG files are created using a graphic design tool like Adobe Illustrator. Graphic design tools are capable of taking images and texts and saving them as mathematical formulas based on points and lines on a grid. This allows the Glowforge to cut, engrave or score different parts of an image based on this file type. Here are some graphic design tools that can create, save or convert files to .SVGs and are free to use:

• Adobe Express (free) (https://www.adobe.com/express/)
• Inkscape (free) (https://inkscape.org/)

Finding .SVG Files

There are plenty of places to find already created .SVG files. The library subscribes to the Glowforge Premium app, which comes with access to projects and images that are created and ready to print. Patrons are free to make an appointment to check-out the kinds of projects available through our Premium subscription. 

Materials

Glowforge Laser Cutter

The library provides practice materials for users including plywood and clear acrylic for learning. Makers are allowed to use materials but should not consider these as the primary source for projects. The library encourages the use of Proofgrade materials, which are guaranteed to work well with the machine. These materials can be easily bought online or in local stores. Non-Proofgrade materials brought by makers should be laser safe. Maker Room staff must approve all materials before being used on the machine. The library reserves the right to refuse materials we are uncertain of or deem to be unsafe.

• Maximum thickness for cutting is ½ inch 
• Maximum thickness for engraving or scoring is 2 inches with the bed removed
• Bed size is 11 (height) x 19.5 (width) inches 

xTool P2 Laser Cutter

• Maximum thickness for cutting is .78 inches
• Maximum thickness for engraving or scoring is 8.5 inches 
• Bed size is 12 (height) x 23.6 (width) inches