Articles

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. [embed]https://youtu.be/FnBoV7lSIVI[/embed]

The wealthiest man on the planet lives in a small box Elon Musk is worth more than the GDP of entire countries. And yet, he lives in a 400-square-foot shoebox. Why? The answer, of course, is TIME. The mobile home is close to the company he founded, SpaceX. He saves time on the commute, home maintenance, and small decisions like furniture and landscaping. He invests his limited time into things he finds more important, like pushing our civilization to colonize other planets. He has a mission, and that is how he invests his limited time. Everything else is a distraction and needs to go. Time is the most precious resource each one of us has. But not all of us understand how limited it really is. Most of us act as if we have forever. Ancient Greek philosophers of the Hellenistic period, inspired by Socrates, wrote of the concept they called "Memento Mori" to help themselves remember that they are merely mortal and their time will come to an end. It should not be taken as a depressing thought, but merely a simple fact. It is true, no one is getting out of life alive. What should we do? To me, Memento Mori means we should be grateful for the time we do have and also make the most of it. We can spend it complaining that life isn't perfect, fighting on social media, impressing neighbors with a flashy new car, and feeding our own egos. But is that really a worthwhile mission? It makes me ask myself: What is your mission? How are you spending your most precious resource? While our mission is less ambitious than interplanetary travel, we found it to be very rewarding nevertheless. We are here to help makers succeed. We create simple to use tools like the Vortex Vacuum table and the PiBurn for small businesses and hobbyists to use with the laser machines. And, if we can make a few makers' lives easier and their business more profitable, we consider it time well spent. What is your mission?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="fadeIn"] 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 3.0. The intricate detail is astonishing and can only be achieved on a high-end rotary device. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/video-1636487714.mp4" preload="auto"][/video] 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! [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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!

LensDigital Partnered with Affirm to offer customers easy pay-over-time options! Now, getting a PiBurn rotary or a Vortex vacuum table is even more accessible to everybody. We know that these products have a great return on investment, as they generate consistent cash flow for your business. But dishing out hundreds of dollars at checkout may not work for everyone. You spoke and we listened! Now, you can use Affirm's easy payment options (some with zero interest) to pay for your PiBurn rotary or Vortex table over time. As you make money on your new laser attachment, use it to finance your purchase. As always, Happy PiBurning! Len and Stan DISCLOSURE: Payment options through Affirm are subject to eligibility, may not be available in all states, and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. CA residents: Loans by Affirm Loan Services, LLC are made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license.

To Chuck or to Roll, that is the question! One of the most common questions we hear from makers that are starting with tumblers is What is the difference between a chuck and a roller-style rotary and which should I get? Should you get a chuck rotary or a roller rotary attachment? It's a great question because the differences between the two styles of rotaries are not huge but fairly subtle. Think about what projects you're planning to run, read through the pros and cons below and decide on the best rotary for you. Remember, many makers have both a chuck and a roller in their arsenal to make sure they can handle a wide range of objects. Before we dive in, let's review what they both have in common and what you need a rotary for in the first place. What is a Laser Rotary Attachment? When we say "Rotary" we mean a special attachment to your CO2 laser machine that you place inside the laser. It helps you engrave on cylindrical objects like drinkware (think tumblers and mugs) and other stuff (baseball bats and even nunchucks!). Instead of the two-axis movement you need when cutting or engraving a flat object, the rotary spins the object so that the laser can engrave it line by line. Since the laser fires the beam straight down, you need to rotate your object. Both the chuck and roller rotaries will hold your object and rotate it as the laser fires. Both are placed inside the laser and plugged into a port in your laser, either a dedicated rotary port or the one that is used to control the Y-axis. Now, let's explore what sets them apart. The Chuck Laser Rotary Attachment The Chuck laser rotary (or Jaw Chuck) has a metal clamping system, the same as you see on any drill - holding the drill bit secure. But in this case, it holds the cup or mug secure while rotating it around its axis. You can position the jaws on the inside or outside of the object. Usually, you should try to grip the item from the inside as this leaves more room to engrave on the outside of the object. Benefits of the Chuck: Can handle heavier objects, especially if there is a back support system. You can engrave using the crosshatch technique and the scoring method, this is where the rotary turns back and forth instead of just one direction. Better on smaller objects such as pens. Holds the object very securely, for high precision. Walking and slipping is not an issue, even with heavy handles. Can clamp on the inside or outside of the object. It can do some objects that rollers can't, like non-cylindrical objects. You can usually frame and idle at higher speeds since the object will not slip. Drawbacks of the Chuck Needs an Allen wrench (aka Chuck Key) to operate the jaw. It is usually very bulky and may not leave much clearance when engraving objects in smaller laser machines. Usually needs a lot of adjustments when the object is not perfectly even - since the angle of the jaw is not adjustable people need to either prop up one end or another to level out the object for the laser. The powerful Jaws can crush glass, so it's not ideal for thinner champagne flutes or wine glasses. Be careful not to over-tighten! These rotaries can get very expensive because the chuck jaw itself is expensive. You need to change your diameter in the settings each time you engrave a cup with a different diameter. It takes a bit of time to swap out objects as you need a Chuck key to first open and then secure the chuck jaw. Consider this when you have a lot of tumblers to run. UPDATE: We have designed and built a chuck that eliminates virtually all of these drawbacks! Check out the PiBurn Grip! Above: PiBurn Omni with the Grip mounted on the PiBurn wheels. The Roller Laser Rotary Attachement Roller-type rotaries (as opposed to a chuck) work on the principle of friction between the motorized wheel and the object you are engraving. The beauty of the roller is its versatility and ease of use. The problem, often is that you don't have enough friction to perfectly rotate an object with unbalanced weight distribution, like a mug with a heavy handle. A clamp increases the friction between the mug and wheel, thus reducing slippage. When we built the PiBurn, we took this into account and designed a metal clamp - stronger than any alternative, and with the ability to adjust your tension, up to extremely high friction levels for the really challenging objects to rotate perfectly. Think beer steins with heavy handles. It is worthwhile to mention here that there are two styles of the Roller rotary, just to make things a bit more confusing! We will talk about the wheel version of the roller, not the "hot-dog" roller. The wheel version is much more versatile. Also, keep in mind that the highest quality rollers have a clamp, without a clamp it is hard to engrave objects with handles. Simple eBay roller rotary: Top of the line Roller, The PiBurn 4.0: Benefits of the Roller You can engrave on cups, mugs, wine glasses, and tumblers with handles (if your rotary has a clamp) No worrying about damaging the drinkware. The Roller is easier to master and use for beginners. It has less moving pieces and is very easy to use. You can adjust the height (on the nicer rollers) so that the object is level with the laser even it tapers. No need to prop anything up. You do not need to change the object diameter after you dial in your rotary the first time. The roller is usually smaller and lower profile than the chuck, this means you can engrave larger items even with smaller lasers. With a quality rotary, like the PiBurn, it is a snap to swap out objects so you can get through tumblers quicker. Drawbacks of the Roller Since you are relying on friction, you have to go SLOW when framing, slow your acceleration, and max speeds down a lot to make sure the object does not shift or even fly off the wheels. Yep, we've seen it happen. Even with a high-quality roller, really heavy objects can be tricky, and doing complex designs, especially full wraps can be challenging because you can't afford to have the object slip at all. Thankfully though, the PiBurn comes with the only clamp that lets you adjust tension. No other roller can do that, so get ready to add weight inside your cups with handles if you are using a lower-end rotary. Harder to accomplish Full Wraps. Tiny slips on a roller rotary may cause your designs to have a seam. Because the roller rotary must only turn in on direction, you can't do the cross-hatch technique. Walking is an issue for many rollers. This is when the object shifts horizontally and your design appears skewed. Again, after a lot of thought and customer feedback, we solved this problem on the PiBurn with an adjustable front-end stopper and the only back-end stopper that has a wheel to allow for better rotation of the object. But what if you wanted both? Very few rotaries offer both chuck and roller systems. The rare exception is the PiBurn Omni that you can get here: Lensdigital.com We hope you found this article helpful! Share it with someone who is thinking of getting into engraving tumblers or mugs. Let us know what you think of the Roller vs Chuck debate in the comments section. 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 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. Best, Len and Stan @ LensDigital

PiBurn 3.0 is listed at the top of the Best Rotaries list for OMTech In a recent Blog Post , the team at OMTech laser listed the PiBurn 3.0 at the very top of their "Five Best Rotary Attachments for OMTEch Laser" list. Here is what they said about the PiBurn: The PiBurn Rotary Attachment V3.0 is an upgraded roller-style, four-wheel rotary attachment with exceptional build quality. The experts at Lens Digital added a clamp to hold your cylindrical object in place, rather than relying on just the object’s weight to keep it stationary, like most other four-wheel rotaries. In fact, the overall construction is designed for extra stability. They even offer magnetic feet as an upgrade option, adding a more secure grip on the object while rotating so that the laser can engrave it line by line. The PiBurn 3.0 allows you to engrave cups, tumblers, glasses, bottles, and champagne flutes with ease and precision. Plus, this CO2 laser rotary attachment is compatible with OMTech cabinet lasers and other Ruida controller-based machines right out of the box. We are thrilled that the quality of the PiBurn is officially recognized and endorsed in this way by a highly respected name in lasers. We are also thrilled to have full compatibility with all OMTech laser machines and to offer OMTech customers the flexibility of choosing the rotary that's just right for them. In the blog post published on the OMTech website, they describe how to setup and enable your rotary, and also show the settings you should use in LightBurn and RD Works. Learn more about OMTech laser machines here. Happy PiBurning! Len and Stan