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Which Laser Rotary Should You Get? Here is a question we get a lot: With all the options out there, which laser rotary should I get? At LensDigital, we understand the importance of choosing the right equipment to ensure the success of your laser engraving business. That’s why we offer different laser rotaries designed to cater to a variety of customer needs. In this post, we’ll compare two of our popular products – the PiBurn V and the PiBurn Grip 2 – as well as introduce you to our innovative multi-purpose rotary, the PiBurn Omni 2. Types of Laser Rotaries: Chuck and Roller Styles There are two styles of laser rotaries: Chuck and Roller styles. The PiBurn Grip 2 is a chuck-style rotary, while the PiBurn V, and the NEW PiBurn LITE are roller rotaries. The PiBurn Omni 2 is Both! Roller rotaries rely on friction to spin your object. To increase the friction between your cup and the motorized wheel, the PiBurn V uses an innovative clamp. It works great for most items and is very easy to operate. Chuck rotaries do not rely on friction, rather they firmly grasp the object with chuck jaws. The PiBurn Grip is a brand-new chuck rotary designed and built just for laser engravers. Want more info on Chuck vs Roller Rotary Attachments? Read this. What do they look like and how much do they cost? PiBurn V: The Classic Roller – Starts at $1,049. This is a user friendly yet powerful rotary that uses motorized wheels and a clamp to rotate your objects securely so that your laser can engrave on it. PiBurn Grip2: The Chuck-style laser rotary made for laser engraving – Starts at $1,439 This rotary has a chuck system with interchangeable jaws. It is a bit more complex to use than the PiBurn but it is extremely precise and versatile. You can swap out the jaws to accommodate many items. PiBurn Omni 2: Best of both worlds – Chuck AND Roller (Two rotaries in one) Starts at $1,979 This rotary has BOTH roller wheels and the chuck jaw systems AND they both come with their own dedicated motors so you always have a back-up. Customers love the versatility this rotary gives them. PiBurn LITE: The Low Profile, High‑Performance, Affordable Laser Rotary. Starts at $499 Elite engraving on a budget, the PiBurn Lite allows anyone to jump in the rotary game with a high quality, affordable machine backed by the most respected brand in the business. PiBurn Lite delivers almost all the power and precision of our flagship rotary in a smaller, budget‑friendly package perfect for hobbyists and small businesses. Pros and Cons of Each Style Laser Rotary PiBurn V (Roller Style): PRO: Ideal for simple straight tumblers, large batches of identical tumblers, and beginners in laser engraving with rotaries. The PiBurn V is easy to use and allows for future expansion. You can add the Grip2 Addon later, giving you the OMNI. CON: Since the PiBurn V relies on friction, it may slip with items that have a very heavy handle. You cannot frame at high speeds. You cannot use the “scoring method” to engrave. Full wraps are tricky to get perfect. PiBurn Grip 2 (Chuck Style): PRO: Perfect for engraving odd-shaped items like pens, rings, and dog bowls, the PiBurn Grip offers advanced users precision and no-slip engraving for full wraps and large-handled mugs. You can “score” engrave on items. There are many different types of removable jaws to fit any object. Do full wraps with ease! CON: More of a learning curve to master. A complex system with interchangeable jaws and moving parts. Adjustments may take more time than the PiBurn V. PiBurn OMNI 2 (Both chuck and roller) PRO: You have the ability to use BOTH roller and chuck systems. You have two motors, so like having two separate rotaries your business has a backup. CON: The Omni is fairly heavy and bulky for smaller laser machines. It has a larger footprint that other rotaries Introducing the PiBurn Omni 2 Laser Rotary Attachment If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, the PiBurn OMNI 2 is an innovative multi-purpose rotary combining Chuck and Roller systems into one state of the art rotary attachment. The Omni 2 consists of the PiBurn V roller and then the Grip 2. It builds on the success of the original OMNI and takes engraving to a whole new level. The OMNI 2 is like having two rotaries in one. It will let you handle anything from high volume production to ad hoc and odd shaped specialty items like rolling pins and dog bowls. Who Should Choose Which Rotary? PiBurn V: Ideal for those starting out, running simple tumblers or large batches, and wanting to ease into rotary work with the option to expand later. PiBurn Grip 2: Recommended for advanced users who need the precision of a chuck for scoring and engraving odd-shaped items. PiBurn Omni 2: Best for those who want the ease and speed of a roller, the power and precision of a chuck, and the ability to quickly swap between the two systems. Upgrading Your PiBurn V If you purchase the PiBurn V and later decide to add the Grip functionality, you can do so! This is a popular option for those starting out with rotary work and looking to expand their capabilities in the future. What if I have a Galvo Laser like a Fiber, UV or CO2 Galvo? Just for Galvo applications we have a special rotary that helps you engrave on ANY Galvo style machine. We call it the Gavlo Grip Starting at $799 To help make sense of all of these options, Emily, That Mom With A Laser has made a great explainer video: Still have questions? We want to hear them! Join us at PiBurn labs, our online community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/piburn Ready to take the plunge? Grab yourself a PiBurn! At LensDigital, we’re committed to helping you make the right choice for your laser engraving business. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, our range of rotary options ensures you’ll find the perfect fit for your needs. Consider the PiBurn 4.0, PiBurn Grip, or PiBurn Omni to help take your engraving projects to new heights.  Happy PiBurning!  

The PiBurn can be wired for any laser. But what if you already have a PiBurn wired for a laser and now are buying another laser? This cross-compatibility chart helps you identify when and if you can use your rotary on multiple machines. *Boss Lasers - Only Smaller machines - 14xx. The larger LS1630 + lasers will not be compatible * Aeon - Will require an adapter *Thunder - Not compatible with other brands  

PiBurn in a Thunder Laser makes a powerful combo! Why are hundreds of Thunder Laser owners flocking to the PiBurn? The PiBurn rotary offers them incredible versatility, precision, affordability and perfect compatibility with Thunder Laser. One of Thunder Lasers most respected influencers, Rober Kofoed of Computer Creations, has been a long-time customer of LensDigital and loves to help other makers with their Lasers. He has created an incredible treasure trove of content. He has helped thousands of people do better work on their Lasers. This is one of the reasons why he has been selected as a PiBurn Grip Beta-tester and featured in a PiBurner Spotlight! Take a look, and you will agree, he is a laser rock star. Here we share some of his best tutorials for the PiBurn 4 and PiBurn Grip. PiBurn Grip 2 and PiBurn V Tutorial for Thunder Laser: Engrave Tumblers Like a Pro! This video has great tips on how to price for large orders, how to set up your designs and how to swap tumblers like a pro in BOTH rotaries.  PiBurn Grip Laser Rotary  Tutorial for Thunder Laser Great for getting started engraving on your PiBurn Grip and Thunder Laser. Here, Robert uses the Grip addon kit mounted on his older PiBurn 3 model to make the PiBurn Omni, the world’s best rotary. PiBurn Grip Laser Rotary  Tutorial for Thunder Laser: Miniature Bats Project Awesome miniature bats done on the PiBurn Grip. Check out this incredible guide by Robert. PiBurn Rotary used to do a full wrap on Thunder Laser: A Tutorial on making full wrap tumbler design. OK, ready for a real monster? Here is Robert engraving a huge 1 Gallon RTIC Jug on his Thunder Laser and PiBurn 4.0 Did you know Robert is a LensDigital Affiliate? He may be able to help you get a discount on the PiBurn. If you found out about the Grip or PiBurn from Robert and want to thank him, please reach out and ask for his coupon. YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@computercreationz Facebook Business page https://www.facebook.com/computercreationz Want to see more? Check out more of Robert’s incredible projects in this private group: PiBurn Labs Don’t forget to visit our shop and see the PiBurn in action for yourself: www.lensdigital.com

One of the most common questions we get is:    “I bought a PiBurn rotary for my [Brand A] laser — will it work with my [Brand B] laser?”    Or sometimes: “Can I just get an adapter to make it work with a different machine?”   The answer is: it depends — both on the PiBurn model you have and the type of laser machine you're using.   Understanding Motor Types   We currently use three types of motors:   1. Two-Phase Stepper Motors   The most common and cross-compatible type. Many laser brands use these motors, including:   Boss Laser LS-1420 Aeon OneLaser OMTech Generic Chinese CO2 lasers Galvo lasers (fiber, CO2 galvo, UV)   While connectors may differ, the motor type remains the same, allowing us to typically provide an adapter for easy cross-compatibility.   Tip: While these are similar in appearance to 3-phase motors, they will have a minimum of 4 pins on the plug and will have a model name that starts with "57CM"   2. Three-Phase Stepper Motors   Less common but used by:   Boss Laser (models above LS-1420) Laguna Certain AP Laser models   If your PiBurn rotary and new laser both have 3-phase motors, we can usually offer an adapter. However, a rotary with a 2-phase motor cannot be used on a 3-phase laser without replacing the motor.    Tip: 3-Phase Motor might look just like a 2-Phase motor and even have the same type of plug (usually 4 or 3-pin) ! Look for a sticker on the motor that has a model number. If it starts with "573S".    Note: Motor replacement isn't possible on all PiBurn models (see below).   3. Hybrid Servo Motors (Closed-Loop Steppers)   Exclusive to Thunder Laser machines. These motors have built-in drivers, offering precision and higher cost but no compatibility with other laser types.   A PiBurn rotary originally designed for 2-phase motors (e.g., OMTech) cannot be adapted for Thunder lasers without motor replacement, and only certain PiBurn models allow this.   Can Your PiBurn Motor Be Swapped?   Motor Swapping Supported (and what's involved):   PiBurn V3, V4, and V (Roller Type): Replace the original motor Guide belt through pulley system (particularly PiBurn V) Adjust belt tension PiBurn Grip 2 (Chuck Type): Partial disassembly New motor installation and wiring   Motor Swapping Not Supported:   Original PiBurn Grip 1: Not designed for motor replacement   Wait, what about Piburn OMNI?   OMNI is a combination of Roller and Grip, so in Original OMNI, you'll be able to replace the motor on the roller side but not on the Grip side.   Motors, Adapters, and Cables   So, I have a compatible motor, will I need an adapter? Probably not, unless your laser port has a different number of pins, a different type of socket, or is wired differently.   You can conveniently purchase compatible replacement motors directly from our website: lensdigital.com.   We also offer a variety of cable adapters and extension cables to assist in adapting your PiBurn to different laser brands and setups.   Quick Compatibility Guide   Your PiBurn Has... Your New Laser Has... What You Need 2-Phase Motor 2-Phase Motor Adapter (or most likely it will work without one) 2-Phase Motor 3-Phase Motor Motor swap (if supported) 2-Phase Motor Closed-Loop Motor (Thunder) Motor swap (if supported) 3-Phase Motor 3-Phase Motor Adapter (or most likely it will work without one) Other combinations Incompatible motor Usually not possible   Still Not Sure?   Contact us with your current PiBurn model and the laser you want to use. We're here to help you ensure your rotary attachment setup is optimized and functional across your equipment!  

Plan Your Laser Business with Our Laser Engraver Profit and ROI Calculator Are you considering a large investment in a laser engraver? Some cost over $20,000, but people are saying they pay off! Will it work for you? Before you take the plunge, planning your business and understanding your potential returns is key. Our Laser Engraver ROI Calculator is a free interactive tool designed to help you determine whether a laser investment is the right move for YOU. We have two ROI calculators: One for the PiBurn Rotary (If you already have a laser) and one for a laser (If you are considering getting one) How the Laser Profit and ROI Calculator Works The Laser Engraver ROI Calculator simplifies your investment decision with an easy-to-use interface. Here’s what it does: Collects Essential Data: The calculator starts by gathering vital information such as the cost of your laser engraver, operating expenses, and how much time you are planning on running the machine. 2. Add Projects. Then you add projects that you will be doing for customers, give your best estimates. You can add up to five different projects with customizable details on material costs and final sale price. 3. Calculates Profits and ROI:It computes both monthly and annual profits by factoring in material costs, labor, setup, and production time. Then, it determines your ROI period by calculating how many months it will take to pay off your machine. With this data, you can easily gauge the financial viability of your laser engraver purchase, and estimate how many items you'll need to sell to hit your monthly goals. As you know, adding a rotary can be a profitable idea for your laser business. We also built this handy Rotary ROI calculator to help you plan.

One of the most common questions we receive from makers and engravers is: What’s the difference between a chuck laser rotary and a roller laser rotary attachment—and which one should you choose for your CO2 laser engraving machine? So, which laser rotary should you get? This is a critical question when selecting the best laser rotary solution for your engraving projects. Whether you’re working on tumblers, mugs, or other cylindrical items, understanding the subtle differences between these laser rotary attachments can help you achieve flawless results. Many professionals actually keep both types on hand to maximize versatility for engraving a wide range of objects. What Is a Laser Rotary Attachment? A laser rotary attachment is a specialized accessory for your CO2 laser machine. It rotates cylindrical objects—such as drinkware, tumblers, and even unconventional items like baseball bats—so the laser can engrave them line by line. Unlike flat-surface engraving, which uses two-axis movement, a laser rotary spins the object to enable precision engraving on curved surfaces. Both chuck and roller laser rotary attachments are designed to secure your object inside the laser, connecting to a dedicated rotary port or the Y-axis controller. The Chuck Laser Rotary Attachment The chuck laser rotary attachment (also known as the jaw chuck) uses a robust metal clamping system, similar to what you’d see on a drill, to firmly hold your cup or mug as it rotates. This attachment allows for versatile positioning of the jaws—either on the inside or outside of the object—to leave ample engraving space. Benefits of the Chuck Laser Rotary: Heavy-Duty Handling: Capable of managing heavier objects, especially when paired with a back support system. Precision Techniques: Ideal for advanced engraving techniques such as crosshatching and scoring, where the rotary moves back and forth. Versatility on Small Items: Works well with smaller objects, like pens, ensuring a secure hold. Reliable Stability: Prevents walking or slipping even when dealing with heavy handles. Flexible Clamping: Can grip objects from both the inside and outside, and even handle non-cylindrical items that a roller attachment might struggle with. High-Speed Framing: Allows for higher framing speeds since the object remains firmly in place. Drawbacks of the Chuck Laser Rotary: Tool Requirement: Needs an Allen wrench (chuck key) to adjust the jaws. Bulkiness: Its size may reduce clearance, particularly in smaller laser machines. Adjustment Hassles: Often requires multiple adjustments for uneven objects due to fixed jaw angles. Risk with Delicate Materials: The powerful jaws can damage fragile glass if over-tightened. Higher Cost: The specialized chuck jaw can be expensive, adding to the overall cost. Diameter Settings: Requires manual adjustments for different cup diameters, potentially slowing down your workflow. UPDATE: Our innovative PiBurn Grip2 has been designed to eliminate many of these drawbacks, providing a more efficient and user-friendly chuck laser rotary attachment for your CO2 laser machine.   The Roller Laser Rotary Attachment The roller laser rotary attachment operates on friction, using a motorized wheel to rotate the object. This attachment is highly popular for engraving tumblers, mugs, and wine glasses because of its simplicity and ease of use. However, achieving the right friction is essential—especially when engraving objects with unbalanced weight distribution, such as mugs with heavy handles. High-quality roller laser rotary systems, like our PiBurn V series, include an adjustable metal clamp to increase friction, ensuring that even challenging objects rotate perfectly during the engraving process. Benefits of the Roller Laser Rotary: Versatile Engraving: Perfect for a variety of drinkware—including cups, mugs, wine glasses, and tumblers with handles (when equipped with a clamp). Gentle on Materials: Minimizes the risk of damaging your delicate drinkware. User-Friendly: Fewer moving parts make it an excellent choice for beginners. Adjustable Setup: Premium models offer adjustable height settings, keeping your object level with the laser even on tapered surfaces. Consistent Performance: Once calibrated, you won’t need to change diameter settings for each new object. Compact Design: Its low-profile build allows you to work with larger objects, even on smaller laser machines. Quick Swaps: Efficiently swap objects to boost productivity in high-volume laser rotary engraving projects. Drawbacks of the Roller Laser Rotary: Speed Limitations: Relying on friction means you need to slow down during framing and acceleration to prevent slippage. Heavy Object Challenges: Extremely heavy or complex items can be tricky to manage. Seam Issues: Minor slips can result in seams on full-wrap designs. One-Way Rotation: The roller attachment typically rotates in one direction, making certain techniques like crosshatching unfeasible. Potential for Walking: Objects may shift horizontally, causing skewed designs. However, advanced models like the PiBurn include adjustable stoppers to counteract this issue. Choosing the Right Laser Rotary for Your Projects For those who want the best of both worlds, very few laser rotary attachments offer both chuck and roller systems in one unit. The PiBurn Omni, available at Lensdigital.com, is a powerful solution that integrates the advantages of both designs. Whether you’re engraving tumblers, mugs, or other cylindrical objects, understanding these laser rotary attachments’ unique features is key to optimizing your CO2 laser engraving machine. Use this guide to determine which attachment—chuck or roller—is best suited for your projects, and explore advanced options like the PiBurn series for a seamless engraving experience. We hope you find this laser rotary guide helpful. Share it with fellow makers who are venturing into laser engraving, and let us know your thoughts on the roller vs. chuck debate in the comments below! Interested in learning how you can profit from your laser rotary skills? Keep reading for more expert insights on monetizing your laser engraving projects. Need more help deciding? Read this next!  

Wondering where to point that powerful beam of yours this year? We've sifted through the latest stats and trends so you don't have to—because let's face it, you've already got your hands full!   Here's what's hot right now in the world of laser engraving, along with some quick stats to guide your hustle and get more bang for your laser buck:   1. Personalized Gifts are Booming Custom engraving is bigger than ever. Etsy saw a 33% spike in searches for personalized laser-engraved items over the past year alone. Tumblers, custom cutting boards, personalized ornaments, and even family-name signs are huge sellers. Open an Etsy store front if you haven't already. Focus on client service and get those reviews to accumulate. Laser rotary attachments, like the popular PiBurn, can help you take advantage of the booming demand for customized tumblers and cylindrical gifts—definitely worth checking out to level up your engraving game!   2. Sustainable Products are Trending 🌿 Eco-conscious consumers are eager for sustainable, unique items. Recent data shows a 40% rise in searches for eco-friendly gifts. Consider engraving items made of bamboo, cork, or reclaimed wood. Cute wooden bookmarks, bamboo utensil sets engraved with mom-friendly slogans, or cork coasters with witty messages are perfect eco-friendly products.       3. Weddings are Back—and Bigger Than Ever 💍 After years of scaled-down celebrations, weddings are fully back with big budgets and bigger expectations. Etsy's wedding category alone grew by more than 45% year-over-year. Stand out with laser-engraved wedding favors, personalized bridal party gifts, custom cake toppers, or even engraved wine glasses—another perfect reason to invest in a quality laser rotary like the PiBurn to handle glassware elegantly.   https://www.tiktok.com/@thehopeyoder/video/7425735485626060063   4. Pet Lovers Unite! 🐾 Personalized pet products remain paw-sitively popular. Searches for engraved pet tags jumped by 25% last year alone. Pet memorial plaques and custom-engraved pet treat jars also resonate deeply with pet parents, combining emotional appeal with practical value. Pet bowls are extremely popular and can be engraved with a pets name and pawprints on the PiBurn Grip2.         5. Local & Small Business Love is Real ❤️ Consumers are increasingly shopping small because small is beautiful. According to Shopify, 60% now actively seek out and prefer buying from local businesses over large corporations. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are your best friends here—share your behind-the-scenes stories, showcase your engraving process, and highlight your mom-run business to attract customers who genuinely love supporting small businesses. Use that tail-wind to your advantage.       Industry Growth & Direction 📈 The laser engraving market for small businesses is projected to grow significantly—expected to reach nearly $5 billion by 2027. This growth is fueled by increased consumer demand for personalized products and advancements in laser technology, making it easier and faster than ever to produce stunning custom items. There is a large gap left by public companies who do not fill all the personalization needs of customers. Investing in versatile tools like laser rotaries (did we mention the PiBurn yet?) is a smart move to stay ahead and tap into emerging markets like customized drinkware and cylindrical product personalization.   So, laser in on these trending niches, sharpen your marketing, and LASER ON, MOMS!   Happy engraving! 🚀✨       Looking for more stats & trends to take advantage of? See our E-Book on the Top Trends in Personalization for 2025      

  The Yeti Chick: How Engraved Tumblers Bought an $83,000 Tesla Cybertruck   A year ago, nobody knew about the Yeti Chick. And now she runs the largest Yeti Marketplace on Facebook and is the engraver most people turn to for the best customized Yeti products in the world. AND she purchased a little battery-powered something just from her tumbler earnings this past December. How did she do that in just one year?!             Alexandra, aka The Yeti Chick, has built a thriving business out of customizing full-wrap Yeti tumblers and exceptional customer service. What's incredible is that she did this in just one year. She is married to Stan (that's me!) from LensDigital and often helps us beta-test brand our new PiBurn products. We have three beautiful boys and live in New Jersey.   She’s the driving force behind the boutique customization business mycup.io and leads a Facebook community (www.facebook.com/groups/bstmarket/) of 90,000 members. But her story goes far beyond the numbers—this mom of three boys once worked in the corporate world as an actuary at MetLife and Pacific Life before deciding to focus on family and her creative energy. Now she’s turning her passion for the art of laser engraving into a profitable enterprise, all while sharing her knowledge with fellow makers.   How did she start this business?     By the Numbers: $18 Profit Per Tumbler Add up to Cybertruck in Eight Months of Hustle   When you do the math, it’s pretty mind-blowing. Alexandra charges, on average, $18 of profit per full-wrap engraved tumbler. It took roughly 4,611 of these tumblers to reach the $83,000 needed for her brand-new Tesla Cybertruck (83,000 ÷ 18 ≈ 4,611). She did this over eight months in 2024, including the Holiday Season, which was big for her. That’s a lot of Yetis - around 575 full wraps each month, or 20 per day. It's a huge testament to her dedication, hustle, and customer service. Took two more months for taxes ;)   Sometimes she engraves larger, more unique items like the Yeti Beverage Bucket. She often charges double the price of retail for those unique items. While these items are very profitable, they do not command the same volume and demand as the standard 20, 30oz tumblers. Also, a bucket is tricky to get right. A full wrap that does not meet perfect at the ends will not go out to customer. Instead it will be either auctioned off at a discount or given away to a friend, or husband who could really use one (hint hint).         This incredible full-wrap Yeti Bucket is only possible on the PiBurn Grip2 with the double extender jaws. It takes almost two hours to run at 300mm/sec.   But it's worth it. This item will sell for about double price of retail:     From Actuary to Engraver Extraordinaire   Before she was The Yeti Chick, Alexandra spent her days crunching numbers in the insurance industry. She worked as an actuary at MetLife and Pacific Life, a role that demanded precision and analytical thinking. Though the corporate career was stable and lucrative, it left little room for family time and creative freedom. Ultimately, she decided to pivot to a lifestyle that allowed her to be more present for her three boys—and she hasn’t looked back since.   How to Approach Customer Service.   When I asked her about her order flow and how she thinks about customer service, this is what she shared:         The PiBurn Grip2 Advantage   A major part of Alexandra’s success lies in the tools she uses—specifically, the PiBurn Grip2 rotary attachment. LensDigital has relied on Alexandra to Beta-test the Grip 2 and provide feedback on possible improvements. The rotary proved reliable and its user-friendly design lets her engrave tumblers quickly and consistently. If you’ve followed our PiBurner of the Week blog series, you’ll know the PiBurn has been essential for many entrepreneurs looking to scale their custom engraving operations.   Building a Supportive Community   Alexandra doesn’t keep her methods to herself. She actively shares tips, tricks, and tutorials with other makers in the community. Whether it’s a first-time engraver wondering if expensive tumblers are worth the risk, or a seasoned pro looking to streamline their process, Alexandra offers guidance with an open heart. It’s this generosity that helps her community thrive—and it’s one reason she’s so admired in the laser engraving community. She even welcomes other engravers to share in her HUGE market - the demand for tumblers is too great for any one engraver to handle. So, other makers and engravers are welcome to participate through her online marketplace - EverCrafter.shop.       A Lifestyle of Family, Creativity, and Freedom   One of the biggest draws to this business model for Alexandra is time. She gets to spend more of it with her three boys—something her former corporate career didn’t allow as much. Now, she can create, earn an income, and be a present mom all at once. The Tesla Cybertruck purchase is just icing on the cake—proof that a passionate side hustle can become a life-changing venture.   What’s Next for The Yeti Chick?   With the Cybertruck acquired, Alexandra’s looking ahead to even bigger possibilities. But for now, she is taking our youngest on a road trip down to Disney World! (Also fully financed by her engraved cups!) Check out her shop at mycup.io and on Etsy.   If you need help getting started or have any questions on the PiBurn and the tricks she has learned, reach out to her at mycupengraving@gmail.com, or find her on the PiBurn Labs group on Facebook.      

    What is the bottle effect?   When using a laser engraver, one common issue you might encounter with a roller rotary is the "bottle effect."   This occurs when you place a bottle with a narrow neck and wide body onto the rotary.   If you position the narrow neck on the roller wheels, the engraving on the wider body may come out stretched. This happens because the laser doesn't account for the difference in the distance traveled by the narrow and wide parts.   How do you fix the bottle effect?   To fix this, simply turn the bottle around and place the wider body on the roller wheels. You can also use the Mega Clamp to help increase the friction if you need to do a full wrap and can't have any slipping.     The setup pictured will eliminate the bottle effect and reduce any slipping to a minimum. Make sure to use the stoppers on your PiBurn!   What else can you do?   It's important to note that the bottle effect only impacts roller rotaries. With chuck rotaries, the neck diameter isn't a concern—only the diameter of the body matters, making them a better choice for objects with varying diameters.     If you are setting up the same bottle on the Grip or Grip 2, you only need to measure the diameter of the body, not the neck. There will be no bottle effect on the Grip or any other chuck rotary.   How about something crazy like this Jug?     Still, no bottle effect on the Grip2. Just measure the wide body diameter and you're good to go.