Glowforge Announces Aura ‘Consumer’ Laser Cutter
The Glowforge Aura is a budget version of the OEM’s previous machines, featuring a live camera, autofocus, and Magic Canvas integration.
Glowforge has announced the release of the Glowforge Aura, a “desktop-sized” machine the OEM says is a “consumer version” of its range of laser cutters that the company labels “3D laser printers”.
The Aura is compatible with hundreds of materials (such as acrylic and wood) and can cut materials up to 1/4-inch thick or engrave up to 3/4-inch thick with the machine’s cutting tray removed. Though the Aura’s maximum material size is just 20-by-20 inches, a passthrough slot (listed as an upgrade) will allow users to cut 1/4-inch thick material up to 20 inches long.
The Aura is compatible with Glowforge’s Personal Filter, a $399 HEPA air filter that Glowforge says allows you to “put your Glowforge Aura anywhere” and “operate it anywhere in your home”. The Aura also features autofocus and a live camera to show previews of in-progress cuts, scores, or engravings and access to Magic Canvas, Glowforge’s DALL-E-like system that generates cutting- and engraving-ready images based on text descriptions.
Magic Canvas was previously available as part of the Glowforge Premium software suite, which is priced at $50 a month. Factor that into the Aura’s $1,199 price tag and potential value for money starts to become apparent.
Still, the Aura being a “consumer version” may raise some eyebrows. Compared to the Glowforge Pro ($6,995) and Glowforge Plus ($4,995) – which are not only more expensive, but larger, faster, and more powerful – the positioning seems fairly sensible, although perhaps “budget” is a better word here.
It seems likely the relatively affordable system is being released to compete with less expensive alternatives to Glowforge’s systems like the OMTech Polar (~$2,900), and is certainly turning the tables to undercut its competition in a big way.
For more details, check the Glowforge Aura’s product page.
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