PiBurn GRIP Rotary. Thunder Laser BOLT. Steps Per Rotation Are So Important! 015 4K

Getting the correct Steps Per Rotation for my Thunder Laser BOLT was a long learning exercise but today I will give you my calculation, show how I arrived at my conclusion and walk through how I get it ready and connected to the BOLT for engraving tumblers. I hope it is helpful if you are a new laser user. Cheers!
#bolt #piburn #grip
Laser NUG
Utilities /Equipment List:
Thunder Laser BOLT RF C02 Laser www.thunderlas...
Lightburn Software www.lightburns...
MAC OS - Latest Version www.apple.ca
PiBurn "BOLT" GRIP Rotary www.lensdigita...
Thunder BOLT 2.5" Focus Lens Kit www.thunderlas...
Thunder BOLT 4.0" Focus Lens Kit www.thunderlas...
ROKO Twister Tray computercreati...
Honeycomb Lay Flat Pins for BOLT www.etsy.com/l...
IMPORTANT: Lasers often project images that resemble strobe-type effects. If you suffer from health conditions such as, but not limited to, Epilepsy or Light Sensitivity, please do NOT watch these videos.
IMPORTANT: I am a brand new Laser User. These videos are provided based on my continuing learning experience. I am not an expert. These videos reflect my learning experience and are not provided as expert tutorials or expert opinion. Consult your manufacturer and/or manuals for your laser-specific requirements. These videos are intended for entertainment purposes only and are NOT provided as instructional content.

[@mac-t8858]

Hey Gord, Nice video. The answer to your problem is very simple.... ad 10% to the width of the circle.

[@LaserNUG]

Thanks! Have a great weekend!

[@computercreationz]

Great info Gord, quick tip, increase the size of your mouse cursor and make it a bright color so it makes it easy for your audience to follow! Keep up,the great work

[@LaserNUG]

Hey thanks very much Robert. Have a nice weekend!

[@JeepinMaxx]

That's a pretty complete rotary kit GP! Those Wera brand hex drivers that were included are quality tools by themselves, a real bonus that they were included

[@jennymorris3299]

Adding 10% to the stretch size has always worked out great for me!

[@LaserNUG]

Thanks Jenny! have a great weekend!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Looking good Gord. Coming right along on that machine. Got things going your way. Stay safe and keep up the fun with what you're doing. Fred.

[@watershedoverlook]

Interesting. I thought the round logo looked good, but I look forward to seeing what adjusting for the visual looks like.

[@lisabland6956]

And now I’ve watched this video that totally described my comment from the other tumbler video. 😂. A great example for me to listen more, speak less. I will be checking the SPR since I’ve been using 8050.

[@LaserNUG]

LOL! No worries Lisa - feel free to comment - I appreciate any help. There is a lot to learn and I am enjoying it very much. A few folks mentioned the 10% and I tried it - it worked great on regular tumblers ( ie 3-5" diameter) but 10% was too much on wine tumblers - it stretched it so I will try it again with a lower % on those when I get more in. Thanks again - I appreciate it. Cheers!

[@chadkuntz267]

Square test is also know as a test for proper steps per rotation. Make a square in lightburn then measure with a tailors tape on the object. When the measurement is correct you have correct steps.

[@LaserNUG]

Thanks Chad!

[@tubehead204]

Great video Gord, thanks so much for sharing your journey with us. I too am in Canada and wondering where you buy your tumblers and dog bowls please?

[@LaserNUG]

Good morning TH! These materials I ave been using for testing and learning are a mix of Amazon, Michaels and I get my wood from KJP Select Hardwoods in Ottawa area. I also buy tumblers and other materials from CESCO in Mississauga. Let me know if you find any other places to buy wholesale. Hope that helps!

[@terryk3118]

Thanks for the nice video. As far as the circle, I'd just let it go. You already proved it's a circle with your tape. It's just an optical illusion that it appears squished. I ask my engineering friends, what's with calling Z by the name Zed? So should we be calling the Y axis Yed? I never get an answer. Is that just metric system talk?

[@LaserNUG]

LOL! Zee in some places, Zed in others. Thanks for your advise - have a great week Terry!

[@RonaldDean-eq2cb]

Hi G.P. Now I see why I like tractors. When ya start trying to figure out math I get lost. But I do like watching you figure out the problems. The laser is a machine the more ya use it the better off you are. How many hours a day do you work with the laser? Great video old friend

[@LaserNUG]

Good morning Ronald. Not eveyr day but usually for a couple hours at a time when time allows. It is pretty interesting and keeps me focused. Cheers!

[@Jonathan-wm8gk]

Hi Gord, was curious if you looked at the Junior rotary offered by Thunder Laser and if you did why you chose the PiBurn over the junior rotary!

[@LaserNUG]

HI Jonathon. No, I did not look at it too detailed. I liked the grip approach and liked the setup of the PiBurn. I believe it also now comes with the magnetic harness included. Sorry I could not help further. Good luck!

[@jeromebecigneul2911]

i'm starting to think it's easier to run the tractor, cut down a tree, crown the road, etc. But you're having fun.Take care Gord and God Bless.

[@LaserNUG]

LOL! Morning Jerome!

[@tobymay31]

add 10% to the width of your round logo. That will give you the correct aspect ratio when engraved on the tumbler.

[@chadkuntz267]

10 is a good starting point but it really changes depending on the diameter of the object. I have found large diameter objects to be as low as 7%

[@tobymay31]

@@chadkuntz267 the average person won’t be able to discern between 7-10%. Either correction will prevent the logo from appearing it pinched.

[@chadkuntz267]

You might be right the evgravers eye causes me to chase it

[@LaserNUG]

Thanks Toby and Chad. I will play with the %. On several normal or large diameters the 10% worked pretty good but on the small wine tumblers ( short and stout taper), the 10% made it look stretched. Thanks again - all great and helpful advice for me - Cheers!

[@forked-lightning]

I think it’s very obvious when it’s wrong. Anyone who has fit pipes will know exactly what’s going on here. I imagine there is software that will scale/ skew for cylindrical and conical shapes. Practically, I think a solution would be to put a metered tape or reference on the object to be zapped. Instead of calculating movement from the motor, calculate movement from an optical sensor on the print head.

[@lelageorge4722]

Hello I’m new to this rotary. I’ve done all the steps but when I hit start I get a msg saying the job exceeds working area. It’s not that big of a job and I’ve used the file on another laser. Any suggestions on why I’m getting this msg?

[@LaserNUG]

Good morning! Just my thoughts as I have had that message a few times but it happened when I was engraving a flat material and the size of my design would not fit from the spot I set the "origin" on the honeycomb. So if you are getting this message when using a rotary, I think it is because the overall width of your design exceeds the circumference of the object you are trying to engrave. So, if you measured your diameter, then clicked into your Rotary settings menu and input it ( in lightburn), and you set your Steps Per Rotation at 8020 (for the BOLT), then you will see the circumference measurement there. If your design is wider than the circumference then I think that is why you are getting the message. I don't know for sure as it has not happened to me but let me know if that helped(?) Good luck!

[@lelageorge4722]

Thank you! That helped me figure it out! I’m so happy with this laser.

[@LaserNUG]

@@lelageorge4722 So happy it helped a little - have a great weekend!

[@user-pl3bf3gr7n]

Any glass tastings? Thanks.

[@LaserNUG]

Morning - not yet but in the near future after I get a little more experience. Cheers!