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Last weekend, the team at LensDigital met in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas to participate as a vendor during The Next Level Laser Conference, hosted by Mark Collier from Big Blue Laser Designs and Will Louie from Crazy Laser Dad! Over 200 makers were in attendance for a three-day weekend of learning, networking, sharing knowledge, and having a great time doing so! The weekend flew by, but we want to give a huge shoutout to the entire NLLC team for throwing one heck of a conference! It was a blast meeting so many members of the laser world—and so many of our own LensDigital customers.

Let’s celebrate our latest PiBurner Spotlight. Tabitha Richardson Owner at Laser Llama We are very excited to feature Tabitha in our latest PiBurner Spotlight! Today, we have the great honor of writing about someone who has given the greatest gift of all - to not one but two families. That of Life. About Tabitha This PiBurner Spotlight features Tabitha Richardson, owner at Laser Llama. How did she come p with that catchy name? Well, she told us that she wanted an animal in the name, and Llmas were all the rage, and come on you gotta admit, Laser Llama just rolls off the tongue! We love it. Tabitha lives in Rocklin, California. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have three wonderful kids together. Tabitha was also a surrogate for two families giving them the precious gift of life! The Laser Journey After her first surrogacy journey, she had wisely set a little money set aside and decided to buy a Glowforge. She took the plunge just 4 1/2 years ago and now has a thriving business. If you have read the PiBurner series before, you'll know what a common path this is for so many PiBurners and small business owners with lasers. It really is the "gateway" laser! Also, like Tabitha, most successful PiBurners are not afraid to save and make an investment. Rewards only come after taking measured risks. When Covid hit, she was pregnant with a second surrogate baby. She was also helping her three children with online classes and that's when her business really boomed. I with hosting online painting classes using barn quilt files from Welcome Home Custom. I found that time was precious, and I bought an 80w OMTech to help handle the demand. OMtech lasers are solid machines! Did you know that LensDigital and OMtech are partners? OMtech even sells PiBurns on their website. Later, hats become the bread and butter for my shop so I added another laser so I could cut down my time on hat patches. Why the PiBurn Rotary? When Emily Caroline posted her review of the PiBurn; I knew I needed one to step up my game. While it was a big learning curve, I was able to figure it out quickly with the support from the PiBurn community!   Her Business Today Today, her shop focuses on wholesale to other businesses and fundraisers for schools and sports teams. We added the PiBurn a year ago and have been able to raise so much money for schools and teams in our community. Our customers love seeing their logos on tumblers! Businesses of every type love their logos on tumblers, and people love their names on water bottles and mugs. This is part of a huge personalization trend that powers this business to astronomical heights. Think about the 32 million US businesses that need to connect with their customers. Now also think about the 125 million families in the US that want tumblers with their names on them. That is your market! Favorite Projects on the OMTech 80W Laser Engraver and Glowforge Some of Tabitha'sfavorite laser projects are hats for the FBI (whoa!) and water bottles for a local soccer league where they raised over $700 in funds for their club! Check them out:   Advice for people starting in the Laser Engraving business My advice for people just starting out is: Don't be afraid, and don't give up! Also, checkout YouTube for tips and tricks on using the PiBurn; you'll find so much great information plus get great ideas for projects! We couldn't agree more. There is much great content out there and so many people who want to see you succeed. You have to do your part, but always remember - you are not alone. Essential Links - Check out Tabitha on social and give her a follow Email - calaserllama@gmail.com Instagram – @calaserllama Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/calaserllama Web – laser-llama.com/ Tik-Tok - @calaserllama We hope you enjoyed this feature, and please check out Tabitha's website, and swing by PiBurn labs and ask her a question! Happy PiBurning! Len and Stan LensDigital Where Makers Succeed   Your story is worth sharing too! Contact us to become our next PiBurner!

Let’s celebrate our latest PiBurner Spotlight. Alexander Caprilozzi, aka Cappy Owner at 7 Point Laser LLC We are thrilled to feature Cappy in our latest PiBurner Spotlight! Meet Alexander "Cappy" Caprilozzi, a retired Deputy Sheriff and SERT Team Commander from Syracuse, NY, now living in Artesia, New Mexico. About Cappy Cappy, together with his wife of 42 years, Cynthia, has raised four girls and has three granddaughters. He is a cancer survivor a former long-haul truck driver. You could say he has been through a lot, and doctors thought he'd never be able to work again. Boy, did he prove them wrong! Cappy has a passion for rebuilding and restoring cars and motorcycles, and more recently, has discovered his entrepreneurial spirit with a laser engraving business. In this blog post, we'll explore how his Boss Laser and the PiBurn rotary attachment helped Cappy take his business to new heights. Cappy's Laser Engraving Journey Cappy began his laser engraving journey when he was looking for a home-based business opportunity. He purchased a Boss 1420 laser and started a small but steadily growing business, primarily focusing on custom tumblers and glassware. Through local events, craft shows, social media, and joining the local Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau, Cappy's business gained traction, and he started receiving orders from local businesses and the law enforcement community. One of Cappy's most significant achievements was securing a 900-tumbler order that was showcased at The American Jail Association Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. His laser-engraved tumblers have been well-received, and he working on securing another order for 1,000 tumblers for a client. He also has repeat customers that keep coming back for the quality he offers and the care he shows his customers. He just got a call from a former customer to do another 50 shot glasses and tumblers. With plans to expand his business through Etsy and Shopify, Cappy's laser engraving venture is poised for even more growth. My Business is growing; especially in brand recognition. Word of mouth has been a big help in local NM communities. Since I have only been here a little over 5 years, a lot of people still do not know me with the exception of my clientele in the jail ;) After I did a few jobs; word of mouth started and I began getting calls. Getting involved in local events and craft shows helps Cappy grow his following. I do local events and craft shows when I can again getting my products out there to at least be seen as to what I can do Cappy is also leaning on social to spread the word. I also use Facebook quite a bit; posting a lot of my work; messaging businesses and individuals about my work and what I offer. How the PiBurn Transformed Cappy's Business Cappy discovered the PiBurn rotary attachment through a referral from his friend and mentor, Ben Gonzales. After using his Boss Rotary for his first 200-tumbler order, Cappy purchased the PiBurn V3 and found it to be an indispensable tool for his business. The PiBurn V3 offered exceptional repeatability, smooth operation, and allowed Cappy to engrave various items, including shot glasses, wine goblets, and even an urn. With plans to add the PiBurn Grip and mega clamp accessories to his PiBurn, Cappy can further streamline his workflow, allowing him to focus on delivering high-quality, custom-engraved products to his clients. Cappy loves attempting new things on the PiBurn. He has called me up on several occasions to ask how to do some really unique items. Check this out: Testing phase: And burning the final product on the Pi! Cappy has done many other interesting items as well. https://youtube.com/shorts/kS7mFxCrlsc Cappy's Drive for Success Cappy's motivation for success is rooted in his desire to provide excellent quality work, maintain his integrity, and ensure customer satisfaction. Inspired by other successful makers, Cappy aspires to become the go-to engraver in New Mexico and beyond. He is driven to build a steady income that will allow him to enjoy his retirement and provide a financial safety net for him and his wife. Conclusion Cappy's laser engraving business is a testament to his determination, hard work, and passion for craftsmanship. We are proud that The PiBurn rotary attachment has played a crucial role in helping Cappy streamline his workflow, improve his product quality, and ultimately grow his business. If you're considering starting a laser engraving business or looking to enhance your existing one, PiBurn could be the game-changing tool to help you to achieve your goals and be successful in the laser game. Check it out! We hope you enjoyed this feature, and please check out his business page at 7 Point Laser LLC and then swing by PiBurn labs and say hi! Happy PiBurning! Len and Stan LensDigital Where Makers Succeed Your story is worth sharing too! Contact us to become our next PiBurner!

Engraving wine glasses has never been easier with Boss Laser and the PiBurn 4.0   Take a look at this video showing you the correct process to set up and engrave a wine glass on the PiBurn 4.0 using the Boss LS1630 Laser.  The foot of the glass is between the o-rings Use both stoppers Adjust the height so its level Get the clamp nice and snug Frame Fire! Simple as that. Did you know that LensDigital has partnered with Boss Laser ? You can get your PiBurn directly from Boss, or just add one to your Boss Laser machine at checkout! Boss machines are reliable and powerful. We have two LS 1630s in our shop and just recently purchased the hybrid servo version. If you haven't already, check them out: www.BossLaser.com 

Let’s celebrate our latest PiBurner Spotlight Jeff Gorwitz Chief Laser Officer at Custom Laser Engraving   We are very excited to feature Jeff Gorwitz in our latest PiBurner Spotlight!   About Jeff This PiBurner Spotlight features Jeff Gorwitz, the Chief Laser Officer (Dig that title!) at Custom Laser Engraving Inc. He lives in South Florida with his wife and they have have three grown kids. For his laser business, Jeff uses his Mira 9 and relies on his trusty PiBurn for drinkware engraving and etching lots of glass.   The Laser Journey Before getting into the laser business, Jeff was in the advertising and marketing space. His clients were (and still are) personal injury attorneys. Jeff helps them tell their story efficiently, effectively, and compellingly. Naturally, he understands the value of relationships in running and growing a business. He would take this knowledge and apply it in his laser journey as well. As Jeff "stumbled down the laser rabbit hole", he invested in his new passion, and in no time, the side hustle ended up being a second career and a significant source of income. We hear this story so often from our customers - it's very natural for people to pick up a side hustle these days, but it's incredibly rare to actually turn it into a reliable income stream. Everything was going along well for Jeff, but COVID hit in March 2020, and it all changed. My clients pulled back on their spending, and with the explosion of TikTok and Instagram Reels, creating content became more of a "Do It Yourself" opportunity. Many of my clients thought they could do it themselves and put out content quickly.   While that is not necessarily the case, perception matters, and it changed the game for Jeff and what he was doing. He knew he needed to adapt to continue growing. I was looking for opportunities with a higher entry barrier, so there would be less competition. I stumbled into the laser community, and thanks to Emily Caroline That Mom with a Laser I wound up purchasing a Mira 9.   His Aeon Mira 9 laser arrived in June of 2022, and it has been going non-stop! Check out some of his projects done on the Mira, and the cups, tumblers, and glasses done on the PiBurn: Favorite Projects on the Laser Engraver Mira 9 and PiBurn I enjoy doing any project with the laser, and each item is its unique category. Yeti's are a lot of fun, cutting boards make a great impression, and I am looking forward to doing a lot more glass with my new UV laser.   Jeff has a simple philosophy when it comes to growing his business: My business philosophy is "The Answer is Yes; what's Your Question?" He jumped into the deep end with both feet and no life preserver. And even though he went all in, he was NOT ALONE. He relied on the laser community to get up and running, and so far, it's been a wonderful and deeply rewarding experience. One of the best things about getting involved in the laser business is that the laser community is both vast and very helpful. You are not alone if you decide to take the leap. Others have done it, and like Jeff, they are ready to help you succeed as well. The Business of Laser Engraving Jeff will take on any project. For example, this is a monster order for glasses. But how does he get these orders? He makes connections, nurtures relationships and takes care of his clients. I was picking up some glasses from a restaurant warehouse and mentioned that I was a laser engraver. Wherever I go, I always say what I do. This time was the same, and it produced a corporate account for a local restaurant chain that needs about 1,000 glasses every couple of months. That restaurant contact also introduced me to his massive supplier, and I will be doing all of their glasswork.   His background in marketing definitely helps! He has optimized the shop's website at customlaserengraving.io and set his Google Business Profile for both locations. I get calls every day from people Googling "Laser Engraving." Once they see what lasers can do, they keep returning for more.   In this business, it helps to be a problem solver. And with lasers, as many PiBurners know, there are certain nuances; it's not always a cakewalk. You have to be ready to solve problems and embrace them. I love solving problems for my clients and solving the issues that naturally arise when attempting to dial in the correct laser settings. Advice for people starting in the Laser Engraving business My only advice is that the laser and all materials take up A LOT of space. If you have an empty garage or can find inexpensive warehouse space, that is the best way to work. Important Links Instagram – customlaserengravingusa Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/customlaserengraving Web – Customlaserengraving.io Promo Products – merch.customlaserengraving.io   We hope you enjoyed this feature, and please check out Jeff's shop, swing by the labs and ask him a question! Happy PiBurning! Len and Stan LensDigital Where Makers Succeed     Your story is worth sharing too! Contact Us to become our next PiBurner!

 

PiBurners! We were absolutely honored and delighted to talk with Alexander and the crew at Laser Everything If you don't know about them, subscribe to their YouTube and join their community immediately! The amount of value they create for the laser community is astounding. If you are considering any sort of Galvo-style lasers like a Fiber or a UV that is all the rage, their channel is a must-watch. They are authentic, unbiased, genuine, and helpful. On a personal level, the guys are just givers. After this pod, at about 10 to midnight, after a hard day's work reviewing diode lasers and interviewing us, instead of taking a break, the guys stayed on. They educated us on the science of UV lasers - just because - and we drank from the firehose learning how to laser everything. Next day, we got our first UV laser. Needless to say we are huge fans and you will be too.

How do you choose the best Laser Rotary Attachment for your business? There are many different laser rotary attachments on the market, and the best one for you depends on your specific needs and goals. Here are the most important factors to consider when choosing a laser rotary attachment: Compatibility Quality Features Price Support Let's unpack each one. Compatibility: Ensure the rotary is compatible with your laser engraver/cutter. If it isn’t, you’ve bought an expensive paperweight. Quality: Choose a well-built, durable unit. 3D-printed parts can break under production loads—if uptime matters, favor all-metal construction. Features: Check max diameter, height/length adjustments, hold-downs/clamps, and stoppers (to prevent cup walking). If you engrave Stanley 40 oz tumblers, make sure the rotary supports tapered cups and quick adjustability. Price: Compare value, not just cost. If you plan real production, a quality rotary typically pays for itself quickly. Support: Look for a clear manual, responsive support, and an active maker community. Bonus if the manufacturer uses their own gear. Read reviews and ask other engravers for recommendations to find reliable, community-proven options. User experience and available learning resources also matter. User Experience is important for success with your laser rotary attachment Before buying, consider how user-friendly the rotary is. At LensDigital, we design the PiBurn to be extremely easy to use and, most importantly, consistent—so you get pristine results every time. We obsess over both function and form. Your rotary should allow fast item swaps, quick adjustments, and frustration-free operation. Save time and reduce wasted tumblers with a well-engineered tool. This is the all-new PiBurn V: Also consider how many resources exist to help you master the rotary: tutorials, YouTube guides, documentation, and a supportive community. Finally, there are two main rotary types: the roller rotary and the chuck-style rotary. Roller style laser rotary attachment A roller relies on friction between the object and motorized wheels. The best rollers, like the PiBurn, add a clamp for extra traction. Benefits of the Roller style Slim, light, and fast to adjust—great for bulk orders and production speed. Drawbacks of the Roller style Friction can slip on items with heavy handles, and odd shapes (e.g., dog bowls) are harder without modifications. Chuck style laser rotary attachment Chuck rotaries use jaws to secure the item from multiple angles so it won’t slip. Benefits of the Chuck style Excellent for full wraps and odd-shaped objects. Drawbacks of the Chuck style Metal jaws can crack delicate glass, many chucks require tools and time to set up, and they’re often bulky with limited adjustability. If you like the chuck concept, check out the PiBurn Grip. It avoids the usual chuck drawbacks and makes odd shapes quick and simple to engrave. Whichever rotary you choose, get ready to jump into the tumbler game and make serious profits. Hope this guide helps you choose the best laser rotary attachment. Want to learn how to make money with your rotary? Read on! Make Cash with your Rotary Ready to buy a rotary? Grab one now. Need help choosing? Read this. Still researching? Learn the differences between chuck and roller rotaries, or join our community and ask why makers love PiBurn.