Glowforge Gantry Wheel Replacement

Coworker came to me and said student workers reported the glowforge was making a “thunking” noise. Upon investigation, I found one of the gantry wheels on the left side of the machine was missing a chunk of rubber. 

After snooping around the glowforge website for a spare part, I found that they do not have that particular wheel available.  They only have the wheels that go on the laser head, which are significantly smaller and therefore not interchangeable.

I submitted a ticket to glowforge support to inquire how to purchase a replacement.  I was informed that it is “not a user serviceable part” and was so generously offered a $1,000 discount on a brand new $7,000 machine since they think I’m too stupid to be able to replace a pom wheel. 

After a bit of googling, I found that this seemed to be a common story among glowforge users and everyone had been left with a paperweight that couldn’t afford a new machine. 

I know these pom wheels only cost about 20 cents or so each.  Now, fully motivated by spite against Glowforge’s blatant disregard for the consumer’s right to repair, I set out to source or fabricate my own parts to fix this issue. 

Uses the original bearings as a press fit.  Print in TPU.  Instructions below.