r/glowforge

This Sawtooth Polyhedral explores the contrast between sharp, complex geometry and the softness of nature. Its dramatic, spiked form is constructed from 60 individual faces, each framed by a 3D-printed border designed to interlock with the neighboring pieces with almost LEGO-like precision.

Inset within each frame is a piece of clear laser-cut acrylic, UV printed with an intricate pattern of winding green vines and delicate flowers. The transparency of the acrylic allows the botanical pattern to appear suspended within the structure, while overlapping faces create unexpected layers of color, light, and detail as the piece is viewed from different angles.

What I especially enjoy about this design is the contradiction between its form and its surface. The sawtooth geometry is angular, pointed, and almost aggressive, while the flowing vines and tiny blossoms soften those edges and give the piece a more organic character. The result is a polyhedral that feels simultaneously mathematical and botanical, engineered and delicate.

It’s also a combination of several of my favorite fabrication techniques—3D printing, laser cutting, UV printing, and precision assembly—all coming together to transform a complicated geometric form into something that feels unexpectedly alive.

Hi, i'm using a second hand glowforge aura, it usually prints just fine but the last few times the left side of the print seems to be getting messed up, almost like the laser thinks there's more print bed space to work with,
the app shows the cut outline lines up with the edge of the wood material but then the laser goes off the edge
this is also an SVG i bought that someone else made if that would affect anything
I am new to using glowforge and don't know how to do maintenance or recalibrate the laser head
any advice would be helpful!