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  Let's celebrate our PiBurner of the week:   Hope Yoder owner of Designs by Hope Yoder   About Hope It's a special treat to introduce you to today's PiBurner of the week: Hope Yoder. Hope is the owner of Designs By Hope Yoder (check out her digital files here!) a company she started over 20 years ago with a focus on quality, education, and mentorship. Since its founding, the company has created retail products for the home crafting industry. Think watchbands, vinyl, cardstock, and many many more. Hope also produces quality sewing patterns, machine embroidery designs, SVG files and has designed several lines of cotton quilting fabric. Her products are sold in hundreds of shops in America, Canada, and Australia. More than a maker, she is a leader. She built on her success as a maker and businesswoman but didn't stop there. Not only is Hope a talented maker but also she is an inspiration to others. She takes an active role in helping other makers... well, make it! As a published author and frequent contributor to crafting magazines and podcasts, Hope leans on her 20 years of expertise in the crafting industry to create an in-house training facility to host a series of in-person, hands-on retreats. The first hands-on retreat is in January and is open to all Mira Laser Owners and Lightburn Users. Part of the retreat will include introducing... (you guessed it!) the PiBurn Rotary. Find out more: https://hopeyoder.com/product/mira-laser-retreat-in-person-and-hands-on/. Other retreats include events focused on: digital cutting, quilting, embroidery, and software retreats. She lives with her husband Marv (married for 30+ years and she still claims he is the best man on the planet - how is this possible?) in sunny Sarasota Florida, home of Siesta Key Beach. They have two grown daughters 24 and 22. Their oldest Hannah lives in Sarasota Florida and youngest Olivia is married and lives in Houston. Hope's Journey Hope's journey started with a few wholesale products, and by the grace of God, we gained national recognition and requests for adding hands-on teaching events to help teach, mentor, and help market products. One of my most memorable events was working with Brother to introduce the first ScanNCut Digital Cutting Machine to the market while creating a training event for Brother retailers at their convention in 2013.   During the launch of the ScanNCut machine, Hope started her first national training event at Brother Convention and named it the “Sip & Sew Tea Party." Before she knew it, she had over 100 events booked. One hundred was way more than Hope expected and was the catalyst that started the educational events they are still hosting today. With that sort of traction, other opportunities came naturally, and Hope was always ready I have had the honor of being a spokesperson and the inspiration behind the brand of products for Embellish By RNK Distributing. During this journey, we created software programs for embroidery machines and digital cutters, embroidery stabilizers, threads, sewing, quilting, and digital cutting accessories you can find in your local shops. - Hope Yoder When I first got to know Hope, I immediately wanted to learn more about her business and her growing community. She struck me as savvy and practical yet very honest, open, and truly passionate about helping other makers succeed, which was in line with our brand mission. I was so impressed with her and was, of course, thrilled to get a PiBurn in her hands. Very soon after I offered Hope an affiliation with LensDigital and we are honored to have her join the club! If you learned about the PiBurn with Hope's help, please use her link! Why Hope chose PiBurn for her Aeon Mira 9 In her own words... I knew I needed not just any rotary but a PiBurn after watching Emily Caroline & Jeremy Jones' videos. We have an online store where we offer products and fabric. I work locally with real estate agents and commercial businesses to make branded merchandise that sets them above the rest—what pushed me to make the purchase was having several local businesses asking for engraved wine glasses and tumblers. I knew I needed to go ahead and order the PiBurn, and all I can say is WOW! The rotary is very impressive; you can see and feel the quality when you take it out of the box. I've only had it for a short time and am impressed with how good the tumblers look and how easy it is to use. I can't wait until the Christmas rush is over to spend some quality time with my PiBurn. Makers like Hope inspire us to create great products and help makers succeed. But what inspires Hope? What inspires Hope There is nothing better than making something with your own hands and touching people's hearts and imaginations with your craft. And inspiration? It can come from anywhere! In Hope's words: I am a maker, a do-er, and a get-er-done kind of girl. I find inspiration everywhere I look. I may see a pretty purse, which inspires me to design a new sewing pattern. Once I was teaching at a sewing machine convention in Nashville, TN, and went to the Grand Ole Opry and saw Porter Wagner, known for his flashy rhinestone suits. He had a gorgeous white suit with lace overlays, which inspired my Nashville Lace Embroidery Collection. - Hope Yoder Advice for Makers Reading Hope's content we picked up a recurring theme. She urges makers to not leave money on the table or worse let it go to someplace else. Whenever there is a customer who wants something done, put yourself in a position to be able to do it. Need a new skill? Acquire it! Need a tool? Get it! Don't be afraid to invest in yourself. Chances are, it will lead to more business and growth in the future. Beautiful advice. Hope's Shop, YouTube, and Facebook Pages Browse her website for an incredible selection of beautifully designed items: My Shop - www.HopeYoder.com Check out her videos! YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/HopeYoderHopeSewCreative And connect with her awesome and growing communities on Facebook: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hopeyoderdesigns Facebook Engraving Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/engravingwithhopeyoder Don't forget to give her a follow on other social platforms: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hopeyodercreates Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/hopeyoder/_created/ You'll quickly see that Hope is prolific with her content creation and serious about the quality and value add of her content. Thank you Hope for making and giving back! It is a true honor to be able to put our PiBurn in the hands of a maker, a leader, a master of her craft. This is what drives us at LensDigital - beyond creating simply great tools - it's helping people like Hope be even more successful in their endeavors. What could be more rewarding than that? For us, this is the main reason to keep on PiBurning! Hope Yoder, Thank you!!! For being a leader, an inspiration, and of course a PiBurner! That's all for today my friends, and Happy PiBurning! Stan & Len PS: Want to be a featured PiBurner yourself? Find out how!

Laser Engravers: Does your Laser Rotary Stretch your Image? You've created the perfect design in your graphics software, set up your cup on the laser rotary attachment (hopefully a PiBurn!), and sent the job to your laser. But when you check the cup you realize the image is distorted. Frustrating. It doesn't look like the original design because it is either stretched, warped, or appears oval when it was meant to be circular. You're thinking: I don't understand why my laser rotary stretches images. What could I be doing wrong?! Below are the most common fixes for stretched, squished, or distorted artwork on cups—ordered from most to least likely (for roller rotaries). What to do when a laser rotary stretches images: 3 things to check 1) Setup on the rotary: Is the bottle’s neck on the drive wheels? This is the most common cause of distortion—especially “stretched” designs. If your flask or bottle has a narrow neck and that neck is on the motorized wheels, the larger body surface travels farther per rotation than the neck. Your settings are based on wheel diameter, not the object’s body diameter, so the laser “thinks” the surface travel equals the wheels—when in fact the body moves more. Fixes: Flip the bottle so the narrow neck rides the smaller (rear) wheels; remove the clamp if needed. For extra traction, consider the PiBurn Mega Clamp. Compensate in artwork (scale down along the rotation axis). Test with masking tape at low power to avoid wasting cups. Change steps per rotation (reduce), but we rarely recommend this—people forget to change it back. 2) “Oval circle” optical illusion: Measure your engraving That “circle” looks oval on a cylinder—often it’s an illusion. Edge areas are slightly farther from the viewer, so they appear smaller. On smaller diameters, this becomes obvious. Check it: Engrave the circle on a flat scrap—then measure the height and width on your tumbler. They’re likely equal. Fix: Slightly adjust artwork to compensate. There’s a handy calculator in the files of our support group: PiBurn Labs — direct file: link. 3) Steps per rotation are off: Run the 100 mm test Pulses/steps per rotation that aren’t dialed in will distort art around the circumference. Calibrate once and you’re set (with PiBurn). See Chapter IV (p. 18) of the PiBurn manual or watch the video guide. 4) Slipping on the rollers (heavy handles, unbalanced items) Rollers rely on friction; heavy handles/unbalanced items can slip (one drawback vs. chucks—see our long-form comparison here). Check out our chuck option, the PiBurn Grip—the Grip don’t slip! The latest PiBurn metal clamp has adjustable tension—tighten the thumbscrew to boost traction on stubborn cups. Still slipping? Add a small counterweight (e.g., magnet) opposite the handle. 5) Belt or pulley tension Artifacts at the start/end of wraps often trace back to loose belts or pulleys. Quick check/walkthrough: 6) Still stuck? Post details (laser model, settings, photos) in our support group PiBurn Labs. Our community of PiBurners is fantastic at troubleshooting. Hope this helps you nail perfect geometry on tumblers. We’re here to help! Happy PiBurning!Len and Stan

Great news for everyone with a Rabbit Laser machine. PiBurn 4.0, PiBurn Grip and the incredible OMNI all work with your machine! DISCLOSURE: WE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH RABBIT LASER NOR DO THEY HAVE PERMISSION TO SELL OUR ROTARIES. You can only purchase the PiBurn compatible with Rabbit laser from our website. Our Official partners are Boss Laser, AEON Laser USA & Aeon Laser Canada, OMTech, Laguna Tools, and Thunder Laser Canada. We do not work with Rabbit nor do we provide any products to them, however, we WILL support all PiBurns purchased from us directly.   About Rabbit Laser: Rabbit Laser have been around for over a decade and are the pioneers in imported lasers from China. They are located in Middletown, Ohio. Rabbit Laser USA can help to solve your laser engraving needs and stay within a reasonable budget. Our company provides customers with high-quality imported laser machines without the problems of dealing directly with a foreign factory. We offer prices that hobbyists and small businesses can afford. At Rabbit Laser USA, we understand that each customer may have unique needs for a laser engraving machine. We specialize in offering a range of CO2 laser machines with power from 40 watts to 80 watts. From engraving wood or plastic to etching metal, we don't just have what you need, we have the experience to make sure you get what you need and know how to use it. To purchase, simply go to the PiBurn product page and select Rabbit Laser from the Laser Make dropdown Once that is done, you will need to select the type of feet you want, standard or our favorite, Magnetic Feet. These fold out of the way in case you need extra clearance. And yes, the PiBurn is Plug and Play compatible with your machine. No need to mess with the wiring, or worry about any modifications. It works out of the box. Just dial in your settings and you are good to go. What are the settings anyway? Visit our support group on Facebook: PiBurn Labs by Lensdigital.   Happy PiBurning!   LensDigital team.

HO HO HO! Naughty or Nice, you'll love this limited Xmas PiBurn We are thrilled to announce, the limited PiBurn Christmas Edition! We are only making 50 (FIFTY) of these PiBurns. The last themed PiBurn we made for the Fourth of July sold out in just a few hours.

Let's celebrate our PiBurner of the week:   Cathe Ray aka The Floss Queen owner of Needle In A Haystack   About Cathe We are so excited to tell you about Cathe - she is simply wonderful and her journey is a beautiful one full of inspiring lessons. Cathe has been a needleworker for almost her entire life, for 60 years now (how cool is that?!) To her husband, her customers, and her friends, Cathe is known as the Floss Queen. Long before she opened her needlework shop her husband always called her his Floss Queen because she loved using threads of all kinds and he thinks of her as his queen, of course! They will be celebrating 37 years of marriage this month. Well, thanks to hubby Carl, the name stuck and became her brand. Cathe's Story Cathe has been a maker most of her life and has tried most crafts at one time or another. In college, in the late 70’s she majored in Textiles, but got the software bug and pursued a degree in Computer Science. Well, working in high tech wasn’t enough of a challenge for Cathe (naturally!) and she opened a retail needlework shop in 1997, intending it to provide for her retirement in her 60’s - and that's now! Getting laid off from her main job a few years later (by this time she was already a manager!) turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it let her focus more on her business and her customers. After some soul searching, she decided that she liked working for herself and helping other makers a lot more than working for large corporations. So rather than go back to the world of high tech, she went to work in her needleworking shop full time to follow her true life's passion. She credits two people that were key in this decision. Her husband, Carl who believed she can do anything she puts her mind to. And C.A. Wells, who helped her understand that she could build a business as a side hustle without giving up her main job right away. Of course, she has not led the journey alone and has had help from her fabulous staff over all of these years. Her needlework shop is called Needle In A Haystack and is located in Alameda, California, just south of Oakland. Check it out online: http://www.needlestack.com/index.html She was even on an old Mythbusters episode from the early 2000’s the one about how hard is it to find a needle in a haystack! And because Cathe works with a lot of fabrics, she recently got a Vortex vacuum table from LensDigital as a hold-down solution. This is a nice addition to her growing arsenal of tools that will talk about later. Check out the Fabrics section of her shop! In September 2019 Cathe bought a Glowforge Basic as she'd been following them from their crowdfunding days. Owning that laser, she realized she needed even more. She now operates an Aeon Mira 7 with a Thunder Laser Odin 32 due in early 2022. A little note from Cathe: Working with lasers is special to me as it lets me combine my creative side and my technical/geeky side. I love testing new materials, new tools and sharing that knowledge with other enthusiasts. I make and sell mostly needlework-related items as an adjunct to my needlework shop that I sell under my brand name The Floss Queen. I work a lot with acrylic as I love the many options it provides for materials. I came across the PiBurn from my friend Emily Caroline (That Mom With A Laser) and even though I had a perfectly serviceable rotary, decided I needed to get one - who doesn’t need more cool tools! I was blown away with how much easier it makes my projects, whether I’m doing a small run or a larger number of tumblers or cylindrical objects. And the support Stan and Len have given me is great. I’m looking forward to expanding my rotary usage and having even more hands on time with my PiBurn. The design on the tumbler in the photo was designed to look like cross-stitch, which is one of the needlework techniques my shop sells supplies for. What motivates Cathe We asked Cathe what drives her? My motivation is to see projects or even customer orders in the shop, come to fruition. I’m inspired by all of the creativity I see both in my needlework community and the laser community. So many great ideas and great people. So many people dream of doing what they love for a living. But it's very hard for many as their passions don't always come with steady paychecks. How did you do it? For turning a hobby into a living…know that it takes blood, sweat and tears - or hustle in the current vernacular, to make it all happen. Be persistent in what you want, be willing to adapt and be willing to learn new things, whether that’s tools, procedures, materials or other things. And never let it become your sole reason for existence…family and friends in the mix of importance help balance it all so you don’t go insane.   What a beautiful lesson. Cathe reminds us that you can achieve your dream but it won't be easy, it will require real determination and an open mind. But with your resourcefulness and the support from those you love you can do it! Favorite Projects Check out this amazing and unique design Cathe achieved on her PiBurn. The intricate detail is astonishing and can only be achieved on a high-end rotary device. Thanks Cathe! If you are like us and are inspired by Cathe's story, go ahead and read up more about her shop at http://www.needlestack.com/about.html We are so honored to put products out that help amazing makers like Cathe create beautiful things and build a true legacy. The PiBurn, the Vortex, these are all just tools, but what you create with them is pure magic. For us, this is the main reason to keep on PiBurning! Cathe Ray, Thank you!!! For being a maker, a leader, a giver, and an inspiration. And of course a PiBurner! That's all for today my friends, and Happy PiBurning! Stan & Len PS: Want to be a featured PiBurner yourself? Find out how!

Buy with confidence, we have you covered Starting now, all PiBurns come with a full 1-year warranty from LensDigital. For those that know us, this does not come as a surprise. We always move very quickly to replace any damaged parts or offer support when our customers need it. Well, now we are just making it official! For one full year after purchase, you are covered by our warranty. Go ahead and buy with confidence knowing we will stand behind the product and help you succeed!  

Fantastic news, rotary fans! Starting now, all PiBurns are shipped fully ASSEMBLED! Check this beauty out: No need to worry about doing the final assembly - just plug the rotary in and start engraving right out of the box. Why? We used to ship the PiBurn partially assembled to save space and money on shipping for our customers and to prevent any damage to the beautiful rotary inside. But our customers spoke out. "Please ship it ready to go! I don't mind paying a bit more on shipping" We are all about our customers and making their whole experience of using the rotary that much better and hassle free. And when we got to work on the packaging, we found a way to ship the beloved PiBurn FULLY ASSEMBELD and still keep it safe! Now, its easier than ever to keep on PiBurning Best, Stan and Len

    Let's celebrate our PiBurner of the week:   Shane Whitecloud owner of Team Valor   A Story that inspired us Today, we are honored to feature another truly inspiring person as PiBurner of the Week. Shane is a man who has overcome much in his life. He is a service-connected disabled Navy veteran (which means that he was injured while in active military duty for this country). He is also a father of three boys and the owner of Team Valor, an online shop that sells uniquely crafted items to those who appreciate great design and craftsmanship. There is nothing like hearing his story in his own words and luckily, Shane had recently given a Ted Talk. From foster home to lead singer, and now business owner, his journey is an epic one. His story is exceptional, terrifying, gripping, and of course, absolutely moving. See and hear it for yourself: Shane's Ted Talk   Shane now works as a Public Affairs Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital - a position he has held for the past two years. He also created a nonprofit 501c3 organization, Veteran Development Group Inc. (opemploy.org) that focuses on assisting Veterans who are going through treatment court with costs tied to their substance rehabilitation, counseling, and substance screening. His organization also assists Veterans with finding and procuring gainful employment. More about Shane As you can imagine, Shane is not new to helping Veterans. Prior to starting his organization, Shane was head of public relations for the Veterans Resource Centers of America for 13 years working with homeless veterans while also being a rock radio personality on the FM station, Rock 104.5 for 23 years. He even had his own radio show podcast on iTunes, American Warfighter Radio. He is a Public Speaker and subject matter expert on suicide, substance addictions, homelessness, and military sexual trauma, currently serving on the Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention workgroup under the Secretary of the VA to help develop litigation to protect staff and Veterans attending any VA facility. A published author in national magazines and websites, Shane is currently writing his first book titled after his 2021 TED Talk, “The Path to Empathy”. If that wasn't enough, there is more! Shane is also the lead singer/frontman in a rock band called Seasons of Insanity. He is the proud father of 3 boys ranging from 26 to 4, grandfather of one (but we don't mention the G-word!) What motivates Shane We asked Shane what drives him? What makes him get out of bed and tap dance to work each morning? Over the past two years, being creative has been my therapy, and being able to make other people happy has been my reward. I also love the idea of building something up from my garage into something bigger that I can one day hand down to my children. Satisfaction from creating something new is a deeply ingrained human instinct and we find this creativity to be the driving force of many a PiBurner. Shane's Shops, YouTube, and Facebook Page Currently, Shane is doing a lot. He has the equipment and skill to do all of the following: 3D printing, powder coating, sublimation, CO2 laser engraving and cutting (hoping to get a fiber laser soon as well), DTG (direct to garment), DTF (direct to film), screen printing, and at the end of this month he’ll be receiving his 20-needle embroidery machine. If you have not already, check out his online shop: (which is still new and items are being added as he builds it, so check back often!) https://www.team-valor.com/ There, you can find customer engraved drinkware like tumblers and bottles and exquisite cutting boards. Also, subscribe to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/shanewhitecloud Don't forget to check out his Facebook page, and make sure to "like" it! https://www.facebook.com/officialwhitecloud Favorite Projects Some of Shane's favorite projects can be found in his shop that is still being built out. Thanks for being AWESOME, Shane. It is a true honor to be able to put our PiBurn in the hands of this real American hero. This is what drives us at LensDigital - beyond creating simply great tools - it's helping people like Shane be successful in their endeavors. What could be more rewarding than to be a part of such an awesome community of makers?! For us, this is the main reason to keep on PiBurning! Shane Whitecloud, Thank you!!! For being a hero, an inspiration, and of course a PiBurner! That's all for today my friends, and Happy PiBurning! Stan & Len PS: Want to be a featured PiBurner yourself? Find out how!  

To Chuck or to Roll, that is the question! One of the most common questions we hear from makers starting with tumblers is: What is the difference between a chuck and a roller-style rotary—and which should I get? It’s a great question because the differences aren’t huge—but they matter. Think about the projects you plan to run, read the pros and cons below, and choose what fits your work. Many makers own both to cover the widest range of objects. Before we dive in, here’s what they share and why you need a rotary in the first place. What is a Laser Rotary Attachment? “Rotary” refers to an attachment for your CO₂ laser that lets you engrave cylindrical items—tumblers, mugs, bottles, even baseball bats. Instead of only moving in X/Y for flat work, the rotary spins the object so the beam can engrave it line-by-line around the circumference. Both chuck and roller rotaries hold and rotate the object as the laser fires. They sit inside the laser and connect to a dedicated rotary port or the Y-axis port. The Chuck Laser Rotary Attachment A chuck rotary uses a metal jaw system (like a drill chuck) to clamp the item securely. You can grip an object from the inside or outside; inside clamping often leaves more usable outer surface for engraving. Benefits of the Chuck Handles heavier objects, especially with a rear support. Supports bidirectional moves (e.g., cross-hatch/scoring) since the piece won’t slip. Excellent for small items like pens. Very secure grip for high precision—no walking or slipping, even with heavy handles. Clamp inside or outside the object. Can handle some non-cylindrical shapes. Allows faster framing/idling without losing registration. Drawbacks of the Chuck Typically requires a chuck key/Allen wrench to adjust. Often bulkier, limiting clearance in smaller lasers. May require more setup time to level irregular shapes. Jaws can crack thin glass if over-tightened—use care. Higher cost (quality chucks are expensive components). Usually requires changing diameter settings when switching cup sizes. Slower swap-outs when doing many pieces back-to-back. UPDATE: We designed a chuck that removes virtually all of these drawbacks. Meet the PiBurn Grip 2. Above: PiBurn Omni 2. The Roller Laser Rotary Attachment Roller rotaries rely on friction between motorized wheels and the object. They’re versatile and easy to use, but unbalanced items (e.g., mugs with heavy handles) may slip without added traction. High-quality rollers include a clamp to increase friction. PiBurn’s metal clamp is exceptionally strong and features adjustable tension for stubborn objects (think heavy beer steins). There are two overall “roller” styles: wheel and “hot-dog.” We’re discussing the wheel style—it’s more versatile. And for handle-bearing items, a roller with a clamp is a must. Simple eBay roller rotary: Top-of-the-line roller: PiBurn V Benefits of the Roller Engraves cups, mugs, wine glasses, and tumblers with handles (with a clamp). Low risk of damaging drinkware—no hard jaws. Easier to master for beginners; fewer moving parts. Height adjustability (on quality rollers) makes leveling tapered items simple—no shims. After initial dial-in, you usually don’t change diameter per cup. Generally smaller / lower-profile than chucks—more Z-clearance. Fast swap-outs on quality designs like PiBurn. Drawbacks of the Roller Because it relies on friction, frame and jog slowly (lower accel/max speed) to avoid shifting. Very heavy/unbalanced items can challenge traction; full-wraps demand zero slip. PiBurn’s adjustable-tension clamp helps—lower-end rollers may need added weight inside handled cups. Full wraps are less forgiving—tiny slips can show as a seam. Rollers typically engrave in a single direction, so cross-hatch techniques aren’t practical. Walking (axial drift) can skew designs on some rollers. PiBurn counters this with an adjustable front stopper and a rear stopper with a wheel for smoother rotation. Want both? A few systems combine chuck + roller. One rare example is the PiBurn Omni. We hope this helps someone choosing between roller and chuck. Share with a friend who’s getting into tumbler engraving! Make Cash with your Rotary Shop PiBurn Rotaries Help Me Choose Join the Community Best,Len and Stan @ LensDigital