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posted by cmn32480 on Friday June 26 2015, @06:20AM   Printer-friendly
from the look-out-hewlett-packard dept.

For all its promise, the 3-D printer is not perfect. Sure, it's great for creating prototypes or small personal items or parts, but it simply cannot do everything. Those who want to dive into design or embellish their DIY creations, or even use materials like leather, wood, or cloth need something more refined, more accurate and versatile. They need a laser cutter.
...
Though Glowforge's abilities will be virtually identical to most laser cutters on the market, it sets itself apart by focusing on the average consumer. The Wi-Fi connected "3-D laser printer" (as the company calls it) will be compatible with a range of digital design software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and AutoCAD. (The less artsy among us can buy or download a design rather than mocking up their own.) After that, the process should be as easy as placing material on the bed, securing the top, and pressing a single button. If you try to open the machine while it's running, the laser will disengage before unlocking.

The lasers can cut nearly anything up to ¼-inch thick, from paper and seaweed to wood and leather, except metal, glass, and stone, which it can only engrave.


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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 26 2015, @06:34AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 26 2015, @06:34AM (#201412)

    Different tools have different uses. Try creating a solid ball with internal structure with your laser...

  • (Score: 3, Interesting) by VortexCortex on Friday June 26 2015, @07:52AM

    by VortexCortex (4067) on Friday June 26 2015, @07:52AM (#201423)

    Try creating a solid ball with internal structure with your laser...

    Well, you just have to cut a bunch of sheets of stickers and then stack/sticker them together... It's not like a Reprap isn't just sticking together layers of plastic. I would have loved this tool when I was building flying machines with balsa wood frames.

    ...Or, maybe we can just add some resin to make it a 3D printer? [theguardian.com] Some actual 3D printers also incorporate a laser and/or mill for both additive and subtractive construction. [boxzy.com] Plastruding can leave lots of rough edges to sand, but I've gotten some decent smooth & shiny results via an acetone vapor bath post process -- the trick is circulating the vapor evenly (careful it's explosive). I wonder if a laser couldn't smooth the PLA as part of the printing process?

    Resin too gooey? Plastic not strong enough? Well then how about using lasers for that other additive process: Sintering? [wikipedia.org] Some machines can even do both additive and subtractive processes with metal. [youtube.com]

    IMO, while it's good to use the best tool for the job, sometimes it's better to integrate several more average tools so the job can be done in a single shot, or in a new way. Subtractive processes will no doubt have a role to play for quite a while (until it's feasible to do 3D printing at the atomic scale [nanowerk.com]).

    I do think it's misleading calling TFA's product a laser printer when it's a laser cutter. Laser cutting is cool on its own, no need to use a "3D" buzzword just to fit in with today's advertising that feels like it's recycled from the early 90's. "Holographic", "3D!", "Virtual Reality"... Personally, I'm waiting for the comeback of "Hypercolor". [wikipedia.org]

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 26 2015, @08:03AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 26 2015, @08:03AM (#201427)

      Personally, I'm waiting for the comeback of "Hypercolor".

      You seem to have missed it. [latimes.com]