Using a rotary attachment with a Galvo laser allows you to engrave and cut cylindrical objects with precision and ease. But setting it up correctly can feel daunting - until now.
This comprehensive guide breaks down every step of the LightBurn rotary setup process, from connecting the device to mastering advanced techniques. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, you'll find valuable tips and tricks to achieve stunning results on tumblers, mugs, bottles, and more.
Before you get started with the rotary setup in LightBurn, it is crucial to verify that your Galvo laser machine is compatible with a rotary device. There are two major components to consider for compatibility—first, the physical aspect, which involves having an external rotary axis, either a chuck or roller type.
Besides, confirm the internal support from your laser machine's control board for a rotary function.
Not all Galvo laser systems come with a rotary function out of the box. It's essential to check your laser's specifications or consult with the manufacturer to confirm that your machine's control board can interface with and control a rotary axis.
Ensure your computer is connected to your laser and LightBurn is installed. For a seamless experience, it's recommended to use the latest version of LightBurn software. This ensures you have access to the most recent features and bug fixes. You can download the latest version directly from the LightBurn website: https://lightburnsoftware.com/
Rotary devices are essential for engraving cylindrical or rounded objects. They rotate the piece so that the laser can engrave across the surface evenly. LightBurn software has incorporated features to make this process intuitive and straightforward for Galvo laser users.
Now, let's dive into the heart of the setup.
Go to "Laser Tools" in LightBurn and click on "Rotary Setup."
You can also use the keyboard shortcut: Control (or Command) + Shift + R, or Cmd+Shift+R, for Mac users.
There are generally two types of rotary attachments: chuck and roller. The chuck style grips the object, much like a lathe, while the roller style sits the object on top of wheels. Your choice will dictate the setup process in LightBurn.
Rotary Setup for Galvo (with chuck)
Rotary Setup for Galvo (with rollers)
Choose whether the rotation is around the X or Y axis, depending on your rotary's orientation. If rotation is backwards or sliced incorrectly, toggling the 'Reverse Rotary Direction' switch may be necessary.
Identify the “Steps per Rotation” value, which is how many motor steps are required for the rotary to complete a full 360-degree turn. This can usually be found in the documentation provided by your machine's manufacturer or determined by using the 'Test' button in LightBurn. For Instance, Steps per Rotation for EM-Smart laser engraver is 25,000.
Here's how to test:
If it completes more than one rotation, the "Millimeters Per Rotation" value is too high. Reduce it until the rotary completes one full rotation.
If the rotary doesn't complete one full rotation, the value is too low. Increase it until it does.
Set the minimum and maximum speeds for the rotary's movement, measured in pulses per second, and define the acceleration time - which is how quickly it ramps up from the minimum to maximum speed. Additionally, you need to set the 'Return speed', which is the rate at which the rotary returns to its starting point after a rotation.
Measure the diameter of the object you're engraving using a digital caliper or ruler. A caliper provides the most accurate measurement.
Enter the diameter into the "Object Diameter" field in LightBurn. The "Circumference" field will automatically update.
LightBurn’s 'Split Setup' feature is designed for Galvo markers, allowing the job to be divided into smaller parts or slices. This process involves rotating the object after each slice is completed and then moving on to the next slice.
Each part of the job is called a 'Split Size'. If your object has a tapered or irregular shape, or if it’s not perfectly aligned with the rotary axis, using a smaller split size can help minimize gaps or misalignments between the slices. While a larger split size can reduce the time it takes to run the job, it might be more challenging to avoid overlaps or gaps in the finished product.
7. Overlap
To help eliminate visible gaps between slices, you can tell LightBurn to overlap them - specifying an overlap of zero means that each slice is run on its own. A non-zero overlap value will produce that much overlap on the ends of each slice, like this:
For removing paint, anodizing, or other surface coatings, use a small overlap.
For annealing or directly marking the material, adding overlaps might cause visible artifacts.
When rotary mode is enabled and you press the Start button on the main window, the Rotary Marking window will appear. Here’s what you can do from this window:
Tune Split Size, Overlap, and Object Diameter: Adjust these settings to suit your project’s needs.
When running a rotary job, the center of your page is considered the current rotary position when you clicked 'Start'. Use the 'Sanity Check' button to catch any common mistakes. This step acts as a final review before you run the laser, supplementing your preview and framing process.
By following these steps and tips, you can optimize your rotary laser jobs in LightBurn for better accuracy and quality.
Let's tackle some common challenges you might encounter when setting up and using your rotary attachment in LightBurn:
Misalignment is a common issue, and it's usually due to one of these factors:
For EM-Smart laser engraving machines, you can directly import the file "markcfg7", which contains all the calibration parameters and port settings for your machine.
You'll need to adjust the "Object Diameter" setting in LightBurn for each new object. Here's how:
Chuck Rotary: Every time you change the object, you'll need to re-enter the new diameter in the "Object Diameter" field in LightBurn's Rotary settings. LightBurn will automatically calculate the new circumference based on the diameter.
Roller Rotary: You only need to adjust the "Object Diameter" setting once for your roller setup. The roller's circumference is determined by its own diameter, not the object's.
The key to optimizing your results is adjusting the laser power, speed, and other settings based on the material you're working with. For different brands of laser machines, you can refer to the official parameter guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Here you can find the recommended material settings on EM-Smart laser, helping you achieve the best possible results.
With a Galvo laser and LightBurn software's rotary setup, you can easily engrave intricate designs, logos, or even custom messages onto cups, rings, and other cylindrical items.
Here are some examples of what you can achieve with rotary engraving.
Setting up and optimizing your rotary attachment with LightBurn can greatly enhance your laser engraving capabilities, especially for cylindrical objects. Here are some valuable resources to help you master the rotary setup in LightBurn:
1. LightBurn Official Rotary Setup Documentation:
https://docs.lightburnsoftware.com/galvo/Rotary.html
2. LightBurn YouTube Video Tutorials:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0RxC0ar1rCBVr77cWfnr7TItFuc2hY0X
3. Social media groups and communities focused on laser engraving often discuss rotary setups and provide peer support:
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