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image4 (2)|Video Thumbnail: The SECRET to Laser Engraving on Tumblers Like a Pro! Article tag: news
  • Article author: By Stan Altshuller
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PiBurn Grip laser rotary and Thunder Laser getting started guide
PiBurn 4 or PiBurn Grip in a Thunder Laser make 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. [embed]https://youtu.be/ZfmN8oSLKbc?si=hIvXImtZTilSQ2XT[/embed] 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. [embed]https://youtu.be/e3JsNHjXoN4[/embed] 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. [embed]https://youtu.be/mvtlNMnPipM[/embed] PiBurn Rotary used to do a full wrap on Thunder Laser: A Tutorial on making full wrap tumbler design. [embed]https://youtu.be/fxxjeQz-WDc[/embed] OK, ready for a real monster? Here is Robert engraving a huge 1 Gallon RTIC Jug on his Thunder Laser and PiBurn 4.0 [embed]https://youtu.be/7yPaK5WD_-Y[/embed] 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
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1621625083525 Article tag: news
  • Article author: By Stan Altshuller
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PiBurner Spotlight: Jeff Gorwitz
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.     [gallery link="file" ids="https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_1124184128-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Siete-Madres-Acrylic-Glasses-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/The-Beckhams-Cutting-Board-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Trailer-Signage-Acryilic-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tumblers-3-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tumblers-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Vava-Yeti-1-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wedding-Tumblers-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Whiskey-Decanter-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wine-Tumbler-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wood-Playbill-Box-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wood-Signage-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wood-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Laser-Engraved-Champagne-Bottles-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Laser-Engraved-Glassware-Whiskey-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Leather-Boots-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Leather-Patches-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Leather-Watch-Case-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M_Y-Odyssea-Koozie-Sunglas-Straps-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mambo-Koozie-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mambo-Stemless-Wine-Yeti-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Marine-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Metal-Business-Cards-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Natural-Olive-Wood-3-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Natural-Olive-Wood-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Olive-Wood-Coasters-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Olive-Wood-Cutting-Boards-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/On-Off-Switch-for-a-Motor-Yacht-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pens-and-USB-Promo-Items-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Phone-Chargers-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Plaque-Award-scaled-1.jpg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Playbill-Box-scaled-1.jpg|"]     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 Email: jg@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 Stan to become our next PiBurner!
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Len and Stan join the crew at Laser Everything on a podcast to dive deep into the new PiBurn Grip Article tag: news
  • Article author: By Stan Altshuller
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Len and Stan join the crew at Laser Everything on a podcast to dive deep into the new PiBurn Grip
PiBurners! We were absolutely honored and delighted to talk with Alexander and the crew at Laser Everything [embed]https://youtu.be/FyDlYmC3rpQ[/embed] 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.
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Side-Hustle|PiBurn V4.0|engraved_products01 Article tag: news
  • Article author: By Stan Altshuller
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Top 5 things to consider when buying a laser rotary attachment
How do you choose the best Laser Rotary Attachment for your business? There are many different laser rotary attachments available on the market, and the best one for you will depend 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: Make sure the laser rotary attachment is compatible with your laser engraver or cutter. You don’t want an expensive paperweight, but if the rotary isn’t compatible with your laser, that’s exactly what you’ll get. Quality: Look for a laser rotary attachment that is well-made and durable, as it will likely see a lot of use. While 3D printed parts are fast and cheap to make - they break often and can leave your business stuck waiting for a replacement part. Make sure that the rotary is all metal if continuity is essential. Features: Consider the features offered by the laser rotary attachment, such as the maximum engraving diameter, available height and length adjustments, hold-down clamps, and very importantly, stoppers that will prevent your cup from walking during the engraving process. You want the rotary to accommodate the items you will be engraving most. So if you wish to engrave Stanley 40oz tumblers you must choose a rotary that accommodates tapered cups and is adjustable. Price: Compare prices from different manufacturers to find a laser rotary attachment that offers the best value for your dollar and will pay for itself quickly. Keep in mind what your goals are with a rotary - are you opening or growing a business, or is this more of a hobby for you? If you are going to do any serious production on your rotary, you can expect that it will return your investment. Support: it’s critical that the rotary comes with a detailed easy to read manual and that the manufacturer is easy to reach, responsive, and helpful when any questions or issues arise. Look for a rotary maker that uses their own rotary and stays active in the maker community. It's also a good idea to read reviews and ask for recommendations from other laser engravers or cutters to find a laser rotary attachment that is reliable and well-regarded in the community. Other important items you might consider are the user experience and how many resources are out there for help you on your journey. User Experience is important for success with your laser rotary attachment Before making a purchase, consider is how user-friendly the experience is with the laser rotary you are looking at. At LensDigital, we design the PiBurn to be extremely easy to use. We also focus on consistency so that you get pristine results each time. To us, design and form are important so we go to great lengths to create a functional and beautiful piece of equipment. Your rotary should allow for fast and simple swapping of items, quick adjustments, and frustration-free operation. This is your time we are talking about, and think of all the wasted tumblers you will save using a good rotary versus a cheap one.  This is the all new PiBurn V: Also, consider how many resources are out there to help you master the rotary. Does the manufacturer have a YouTube channel with tutorials? Do they foster a community of makers that help each other succeed? Finally, there are two types of rotaries that you can get: the roller rotary and the chuck-style rotary. Roller style laser rotary attachment A roller relies on friction between the object and the motorized wheels. The best rollers, like the PiBurn, have a clamp that helps create more friction. Benefits of the Roller style laser rotary Roller rotaries are usually slim, light, and fast to adjust making large bulk orders easier on the maker. Drawbacks of the Roller style laser rotary Because they rely on friction alone, Roller laser rotaries may slip when doing an object with a heavy handle. They also can't handle odd-shaped objects like dog bowls without modifications. Chuck style laser rotary attachment Chuck-style laser rotaries use jaws to fixate the item very securely. Like a clamping system, they make contact from multiple angles insuring your object never slips from the jaws. Benefits of the Chuck style laser rotary These rotaries are ideal for full wraps and engraving odd-shaped objects. Drawbacks of the Chuck style laser rotary When working with the metal jaws of a chuck, you must be careful of cracking delicate glass. Also, most chuck rotaries require tools to operate and thus take a long time to setup. Finally, they are usually very bulky and not adjustable.   If you like the chuck concept, check out the PiBurn Grip. The Grip eliminates all the standard drawbacks of a chuck style rotary. It makes it fast and simple to engrave any odd shaped objects with your laser engraver. Whichever rotary you go with, get ready to jump into the tumbler game and make big bucks!   Hope that this guide will help you with choosing the best laser rotary attachment Want to learn how you can make money using your rotary? Read on! Make Cash with your Rotary   Ready to buy a rotary? Grab one now! Need help choosing the right one? Read This Still need more information? Learn about the differences between the Chuck and Roller based rotaries. Not ready to jump in quite yet? Join our community and ask anyone why they love the PiBurn and what it did for their business.  
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301668844_1323425518422997_1195473865199454864_n|IMG-7021-scaled|YAzo15|Project13|200Yetis Article tag: news
  • Article author: By Stan Altshuller
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Best Side hustle in 2023: Laser Engraving
One of the best side hustles is laser engraving with a rotary attachment Starting a side hustle can be a great way to earn some extra income and pursue your passions. One interesting and potentially lucrative option is to start a business using a laser engraver. This HD cup is a winner. A laser engraver is a machine that uses a focused beam of light to etch designs and patterns onto a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, glass, and metal. These machines are relatively affordable and easy to use, making them a great tool for anyone looking to start a side hustle. One of the biggest advantages of starting a business with a laser engraver is the wide range of potential products you can create. Laser-engraved products are highly customizable, so you can create unique and personalized items that are sure to appeal to a wide range of customers. You could make everything from custom wooden signs and plaques to personalized glassware and jewelry. Even though custom tumblers (our personal favorite!) many of our customers also create amazing mugs, rolling pins, and baseball bats - the sky is the limit! Another advantage of starting a side hustle with a laser engraver is the relatively low overhead costs. Since the machines are relatively affordable, you can start your business without a huge initial investment. Additionally, the materials you need to create your products are widely available and affordable, so you can keep your costs low and your profit margins high. Of course, starting any side hustle requires effort and dedication. You'll need to invest time and energy into learning how to use your laser engraver effectively, as well as into marketing and promoting your products. But with a little hard work and determination, you can turn your passion for laser engraving into a successful and rewarding side hustle. We have a whole blog series on how many of our customers grew their successful side hustle. Check out our featured PiBurners and learn about huge orders in PiBurn Gigs. In conclusion, starting a side hustle with a laser engraver can be a great way to earn some extra income and pursue your passions. With its low overhead costs and wide range of potential products, a laser engraving business can be a rewarding and exciting venture.
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youngwoman Article tag: news
  • Article author: By Stan Altshuller
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How Do I Start a Side Hustle and Stick to It?
Nowadays, side hustles are quickly becoming a reliable source of income for many. And why not? Who doesn't want an extra coin in their pockets? It gets more interesting if the side hustle is a fun activity you enjoy. But starting one can be stressful and intimidating, especially if you have never tried running a business. Once started, maintaining and growing a good side hustle is also a challenge. In this post, we share excellent tips on how to start a side hustle and keep it. How to stick to a good side-hustle Here are some tips for sticking to your side hustle and ensuring its success: Set clear goals: It's important to have a clear understanding of what you hope to achieve with your side hustle. Whether it's earning extra money, building a portfolio, or gaining new skills, having specific goals in mind can help you stay focused and motivated. Create a schedule: Scheduling dedicated time for your side hustle can help you stay on track and avoid letting it fall by the wayside. Try to set aside regular blocks of time each week to work on your side hustle, and be sure to respect those boundaries. Find an accountability partner: Having someone who can check in with you regularly and offer support and encouragement can be a huge help in sticking to your side hustle. Consider finding a friend, colleague, or mentor who can serve as an accountability partner and help you stay on track. Take breaks: It's important to remember that side hustles are supposed to be enjoyable, so don't be afraid to take breaks and recharge. Taking regular breaks can help prevent burnout and keep you energized and motivated to work on your side hustle. Optimize for SEO: If your side hustle involves creating a website or blog, optimizing for search engines can help increase your visibility and attract more traffic. Some simple SEO strategies include using relevant keywords, creating compelling titles and meta descriptions, and including alt text for images. Here are some other tips that can help stay motivated and focused on your side hustle, even when life gets busy. Remember to stay true to your goals and have fun, and your side hustle is sure to be a success. Consider Doing What You Love and Start It's one thing to have a hobby and another to make it generate money for you. For example, if you love knitting, how can you make money out of it? You can share knitted pieces and sell them to newbie knitters. They can follow the samples and start knitting. Now, you can consider selling the patterns, and that's how you start a side house. If you find your hobby - don't try to overthink it. Most times, when you are in deep thought, and sometimes, there are higher chances of wanting the changes. Use a Freelancing Platform Are you looking to start a side hustle on a work-from-home basis? Then a freelance platform would be an excellent place to begin your escapades. There are many freelancer platforms on the internet to help you scale your business. Some of the most common ones are Fiverr, Freelancer.com, and Upwork for content creators. There are other platforms for other niches, including engineering, technology, and the likes. These platforms will help you build your brand from the ground up. The best thing about them is that you don't have to know anyone on the platform to use them. Instead, you need to visit the website, sign up, and start selling. Set a Reasonable Schedule and Stick to it Routines are good to help you work on your side hustle, especially if you have a full-time job. Setting a schedule is one method that will help you create a good routine. And a good routine will help you set times when you work on your side hustle. For example, if your full-time job starts at 8 am and ends at 5 pm, you can set hours before and after the full-time job. The secret is in the consistency of the routine you set. You will definitely grow your business if you are consistent and diligent in keeping up with your schedule. Delegate Some Work to Industry Experts You now know your strengths and weaknesses and where you may need help. The truth is everyone who ever succeeded in their side hustle was not skilled in every area, and some got an extra hand from an expert. For example, you may be skilled in offering your type of service but need to be more experienced in digital marketing. In this case, you can focus on perfecting your service skills while you leverage the skills of an expert in digital marketing. First, you will have the time to build your service skills and deliver pure gold. Second, you will be fully advertising your business to the world. Have a Flexible Pricing Strategy Stick to more than a single pricing strategy when starting your side hustle. You can choose to have different and flexible pricing. For example, you can give offers on your business for some time before you actually begin to sell your services. You can give your customers welcome offers, which will help you build a good reputation and a solid customer base. A good customer base is a perfect starting set for a side hustle. Get Real Feedback from Customers You need to get customer feedback to set your business up for success. If you don't listen to what customers say, your business may fail to meet their unique needs. Proper feedback enables the correction of failures and the improvement of successes. Laser Engraving as Side Hustle Using a laser engraver is one perfect example of a lucrative side hustle. A laser engraver is a perfect idea if you love crafts and are also looking for a less competitive side hustle. With a laser engraver, you don't have to break the bank for start-up money. You might be surprised at the variety of things people want to engrave with a laser. You can tap a wide market, from engraved tumblers and engraved gifts to engraved trophies. To engrave the most unique items, consider investing in a great rotary like the PiBurn. Tip: Start Engraving Tumblers Tumblers are insulated cups used to keep drinks hot or cold. Tumblers are becoming very popular and offering custom tumblers is a good product diversifier and added revenue stream for any business. There are many ways to customize tumblers, and engraving custom tumblers is a profitable business. Laser engraving tumblers can include names in custom fonts, engraving business logos, or even pictures. So how much do you need to start a laser engraving tumblers business? First, you obviously need an engraver which may cost $2000 - $5000, depending on how much you want to spend on the laser. You will also need to choose a good rotary. You may also need to invest in digital marketing. How to Sell Your Engraved Tumblers If you want to scale up your laser engraving tumblers business, you need to consider sourcing the tumblers yourself. Some of our customers get tumblers from Save-a-cup and JDS. Others buy higher end cups like Stanley and Yeti brand tumblers. To sell these, there are four main principles to follow. Read more about them in our PiBurn Gigs Blog. In short, you must choose one approach of these four: Elephant hunting (going after huge orders from corporations based on relationships) E-commerce platform (running a shop on Etsy or similar for micro-orders) Local Business (Going out and landing orders at local small businesses) Community building (Becoming an influencer and relying on the trust of your community to create demand) Bottom Line A side hustle can help you earn an extra income without affecting your day job. All you have to do is manage it well, and it will be successful. Identify what you love and your passion and find a way to monetize it by making it a side hustle. Laser engraving is one side hustle that will earn you return customers. You also don't need a physical space to operate–your living room or garage is enough. For sure, a good side hustle is one that effortlessly brings you money. All you need to do is stick to it and scale up.
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