With LaserGRBL you can import vector files (NC, BMP, JPG, PNG, DXF…) and bitmap image files (bmp, jpg, png and gif), The rotary roller is not only easy to build but it is also pretty easy to install and configure (virtually no assembly required). Plugin and go. Another important thing: turn off homing! Homing does not work with a rotary, since the y-axis doesn’t support homing anymore if the rotary is connected (only applies if you use the y-axis for the rotary, but that is the case for 99% of the users in my experience). You don’t need to turn it off in the firmware, but just don’t use it and don’t enable automatic homing at startup. Select “current position” as “start from”option. Never use absolute coordinates. Step 2B is meant for machines that use two stepper motors for their Y-axis, such as the 3020 Pro Max, LC-60A, and 4030 PROVerXL. You can get millions of free vector designs on the internet, or you can use free vector drawing programs like Inkscape or QCAD (for more technical drawings)

For the mathematicians among you, the value in the first case can also be derived mathematically: 40.8 = 65/80 × 50.26. That is, the ratio of steps per millimeter multiplied by the true circumference of the roll. Sculpfun Rotary Sliding space adjustment: SCULPFUN roller adjusts the size of the space between the two rubber rollers by sliding, and fixes the rolloer by handscrew, which is simpler and faster than the traditional multi-stage fixing hole adjustment. Z-Axis: the controller board offers another port for a z-axis motor. You could also use this one. Since the Sculpfun board does not contain the stepper driver module for this axis, you need to add one yourself (like this one). Then you have another axis and can control the two motors independently. If you don’t plan to integrate a z-axis, I would recommend using this option because you have less (no) settings to switch between the modes. And if you want to engrave cylindrical objects, the Sculpfun Rotary Attachment is a great buy! We have reviewed and tested it HERE.Set the steps per millimeter (“steps/mm”) correctly (firmware). The LightBurn assistant is not required and is not activated. I change the steps in the firmware to 65. Then I don’t have to use the wizard. If I still want to use it, I have to enter 50.26mm per revolution there (16 * Pi). Adjust the position of the rotary axis so that your cylinder will be parallel to the Y-axis and perpendicular to the X-Axis. Step 3: Install, Connect to and Configure LaserGRBL

Either way, you should now have a functioning rotary connected to your laser system. The last step is to set it up for use in your laser tool. I’ll show the tool from LightBurn. The options are described in the LightBurn documentation, but it is a bit hard to understand there for non-technical users, I guess. As mentioned, when you press Test, the roller rotates the small rollers once 360 degrees. So, the object (that might be lying on it) doesn’t even move all the way around (as long as it is larger than the diameter of the driven rollers). If you have a Sculpfun S9, you can upgrade it to the improved x-axis mechanism from Sculpfun S10 with THIS UPGRADE KIT. I leave the steps per mm in the firmware set to 80 (the default setting for a Sculpfun laser). Then I have to use the LightBurn wizard and find out by trial and error what value I need for “mm per rotation”. In this case, I get 40.8mm per rotation. To use the roller correctly, I have to activate “enable rotary” in LightBurn (so that the values of the wizard become active).

Rotary setup in LightBurn. Showing values for the Sculpfun rotary (A), these should be adjusted to your rotary. Settings B are, as stated, not used for rollers. mm per rotation”: this is the slightly more complicated value. This value indicates how many millimeters LightBurn should send to generate a complete rotation of the roller. And here you have to distinguish two cases: Free useful accessories: a free soft ruler to measure the size of object; 4 free raising feet, which can be used to increase the height of a variety of machines. If you don’t want to change the steps per mm every time, you can use the LightBurn wizard. LightBurn then takes over the conversion of the lengths from the motif into the movements of the rotation roller. For this, LightBurn needs two parameters: “mm per rotation” and “Roller Diameter” (A in the following picture). These two values are explained quite simply, but the function is sometimes a bit complicated. It's great for cylinder carving and etching. It has a stable design for multiple diameters. Spacing between the two rotary axes ranges from 17mm/6.6" to 33mm 1.2".You can engrave almost the same travel size as the machine. Equipped with a roller stand to engrave objects such as goblets.

Adjustment of shaft spacing: The shaft spacing can be adjusted steplessly by sliding, and it can be fixed by hand-tightening screws. Place the rotary axis in an appropriate position on the table, and connect the machine Y-axis motor cable to the rotary axis stepper motor. How to use: Disconnect the Y-axis motor wiring of the laser engraving machine, connect the SCULPFUN Rotary Roller to the Y-axis cable, and you can start using it. There is no need to set parameters in software because the surface linear speed of the roller is the same as the original Y-axis speed.Test fire your laser at a low power, 5% or less, and make sure that your laser is focused to a tiny point.