KERFBY KINETIC CARVING
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Advanced TechniquesModule 5.7~1 min read

Rotary Setup

Rotary is what unlocks tumblers, rings, knives in handles, and wraparound logos. Lightburn handles the math; you handle the alignment.

Plug it in

Power off. Connect the rotary cable to the rotary port on the back of the laser (typically an aviation plug or DB-9). Place rotary on the bed. Power on.

ROLLER ROTARYtumblerdriven wheelsWheels turn the surface by friction.Fast to load. Can slip on heavy,tapered or handled parts.CHUCK ROTARYchucktumblerjaws grip the partsupportJaws grip the part and turn it by angle.Needs the part's diameter. Returns tothe same spot every time.
The two kinds of rotary. A roller is quick for straight drinkware. A chuck holds its position, which matters any time a job needs a second pass in the same place.

Lightburn rotary settings

  1. Tools → Rotary Setup.
  2. Type: Roller (most common) or Chuck.
  3. Steps per rotation: usually 10000 or 5000, check your motor's spec card.
  4. Roller diameter: caliper your roller wheel.
  5. Object diameter: caliper the part. This is the critical number.
  6. Test: tell Lightburn to rotate exactly 360°. Mark a reference dot on the part. If it lands back exactly where it started, calibration is good.

Lens choice for rotary

  • Tumblers (~80mm Ø): 150mm. The DOF tolerates the cylinder.
  • Pint glass / pen barrel: 150mm.
  • Rings: 70mm with chuck rotary. The small spot resolves text.
  • Knife handles: 150mm, tapered, varying diameter.

Y-axis travel and wrap

For wrap-around designs longer than the field, Lightburn breaks the job into rotary chunks and rotates between them. Splits are visible only if your alignment is off, calibrate carefully.