Glowforge laser settings: 5 machines, 5 sources, 404 settings

The 5 referenced Glowforge machines

Every Glowforge machine is listed with its laser sources: wattage changes everything, a 10 W diode and a 40 W diode do not cut the same plywood. Aura (Diode 6W): 76 settings · Basic (CO2 40W): 84 settings · Plus (CO2 40W): 84 settings · Pro (CO2 45W): 84 settings · Spark (Diode 6W): 76 settings.

In total 404 settings are published for this brand across 5 laser sources: for each machine, source, material and thickness combination you get power in percent, speed in mm/min, a pass count and whether air assist is needed.

How to use a Glowforge setting

A setting is a starting point, not an absolute truth: the lens, mirror cleanliness, the exact wood species and humidity all move the result. Run a small test square on an offcut of the same board first, then adjust speed before power — speed is the forgiving one.

If your Glowforge machine is missing, you can request it: the catalogue watch checks the brand's new releases every week and settings are generated as soon as a model is referenced.