Laser engraving with Snapmaker Rotary Module
allows you to cut or engrave exquisite patterns on curved materials,
making it possible to create multidimensional projects.
In this video, we're going to show you how to laser engrave
with the Rotary Module on a paper jar.
It covers the usage of Chuck and Tailstock,
and the whole process of laser engraving with Rotary Module
including calibrating focal length,
generating G-code,
setting work origin,
starting engraving,
and removing finished work
Before we start, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:
A vernier caliper or ruler,
screwdriver with H2.5 bit,
USB flash drive,
a pair of laser safety goggles,
as well as the chuck wrenches
and a paper jar that come with the Rotary Module.
If you need to calibrate the focal length,
you should grab another paper jar,
or any other cylindrical material for calibration,
as long as it can be engraved.
Measure the length and diameter of the calibration material for subsequent input.
with an accuracy of 0.1mm.
In order to avoid looseness between the lid and the body during laser engraving,
it is recommended to remove the lid and operate on the body only.
Measure the length and bottom diameter of the body,
record the results as well.
First, make sure the machine is powered off.
Install the Laser Engraving Module
and CNC Carving Platform on the machine
following our Quick Start Guide.
Choose the appropriate location on the Base to attach the Rotary Headstock,
and use four M4 × 8 hex socket head screws
to fix them together from the bottom of the Base.
Attach the Base along with Rotary Headstock
to the middle of the CNC Carving Platform
with ten M4 × 14 hex socket head screws.
Connect the cable for Rotary Module
to the Addon-2 port on the Controller from behind the Z axis.
Let's first take a look at the Chuck and the Tailstock
so that you can decide how to use the Chuck,
as well as whether to use the Tailstock.
If you have already fully understood the usage of the Chuck,
you can skip this part.
The 3-jaw Chuck can support materials with various sizes,
and do inward- and outward-clamping.
The inward-clamping is more adaptable to the material shape,
but diameter of the material should be no more than 60 mm.
Outward-clamping can be used to secure tubular materials,
supporting a maximum diameter of 136 mm,
but do pay attention to the inside diameter,
which should be between 20 mm and 100 mm.
The Tailstock can hold objects securely in place.
You can adjust the Tailstock Center to fit the size of the material.
For laser engraving, the pressure from the Z-axis on the material is negligible.
So, if the material's length or weight will not affect its stability,
you can go without the Tailstock.
Use one chuck wrench to hold the Chuck,
and the other to loosen the Scroll Plate counterclockwise.
Caution the sharp jaws.
Do not turn the Scroll Plate without wrenches.
Insert one end of the material onto the 3-stepped jaws,
and make sure it is coaxial with the Chuck.
Turn the Scroll Plate clockwise to tighten the Chuck.
Be careful not to tighten the jaws too much,
or it may cause damage to the material.
If the material requires a switch to outward-clamping,
keep loosening the jaws one by one until they can be removed from the channels.
Then insert the jaws back into the channels clockwise in the order of 1 > 2 > 3,
and turn the Chuck clockwise using chuck wrenches,
till the spiral inside the Chuck engages the teeth of the jaws.
Continue to tighten the jaws.
If the jaws close up togther, the installation is successful.
To switch back to the inward-clamping,
the insertion sequence of the jaws should be 3 > 2 > 1.
Now, let's get down to business.
To use laser function with the Rotary Module,
first, turn on the machine and upgrade the firmware.
Firmwares above V1.9.0 can be upgraded to V1.12.0 or above on the Touchscreen via Wi-Fi.
Go to “Settings”,
select "Firmware Update",
"Check for Updates",
"Update Now",
"Complete".
Follow the guide to calibrate the focal length manually.
Input the measured length and diameter of the calibration material,
Tap "Next".
Fix the calibration material to the Chuck.
Tap "Next".
Adjust the height of Z axis on the Touchscreen,
and set the X, Y offsets if necessary.
Carefully lower the Laser Module till it sits right above the material
and slightly touches the surface.
Tap "Next".
Now, make sure you and any viewers have put on your laser safety goggles,
and tap "Next".
Set the X, Y offsets to adjust the work origin for calibration.
You may also rotate the material by setting the B offset.
Tap "Set Work Origin",
"Run Boundary" to check the working region.
If the toolhead bumps into the machine,
turn off the machine immediately
or press the Emergency Stop Button.
Tap "Next" to confirm that the working region for calibration is applicable,
and tap “Start”.
The machine will engrave a set of lines with slightly different height.
Pick the thinnest line that represents an optimal height.
Slide to choose the thinnest line on the Touchscreen
and tap "Save" to complete calibration.
But the guide will only pop up the first time the firmware is updated.
After a successful calibration, the height of B axis will be remembered,
so you won't need to recalibrate when laser engraving again.
Still, if you have reassembled the toolhead,
changed relevant parts or the engraving result is not ideal,
it is recommended to recalibrate.
You can reaccess the instructions by going to "Settings > Guides".
In addition, you can also recalibrate by tapping "Calibration" in APP List Screen.
After successfully calibrating the focal length, remove the calibration material.
Upgrade Snapmaker Luban to V3.14.0 or above,
and go to "Laser G-Code Generator".
Access the "Case Library",
find the test file, and tap "Load".
In "Job Type", input the measured length and diameter of the engraving material.
The canvas in the software represents the side spread area of the cylindrical material,
within which you should put your model and adjust the size, orientation, and position of it.
Note that the highlighted part represents the actual clamping area of the jaws.
To avoid the toolhead bumping into the jaws,
do not place your model beyond that area.
Use the default parameters in "Configurations" and click "Process".
Use the default parameters in "Configurations",
and tick "Auto ToolPath Preview" to preview the finished work.
Click "Generate G-code" and "Export G-code to File" to save the G-code file to your USB drive.
Setting the work origin helps the machine find out how to engrave on the material.
The work origin in the process of laser engraving is shown in the figure.
Insert your USB into the Controller.
Tap "Start > USB" to select the G-code file in USB drive.
Preview the file and tap "Ready".
Select "Auto Mode" or "Manual Mode" to set the work origin.
Under the "Auto Mode", these instructions will walk you through the settings.
Tap "Run Boundary" to preview the working region,
and you can reset the work origin and run boundary again if the area is not ideal.
Tap "Start" to begin laser engraving.
Use chuck wrenches to remove the finished work when the engraving is done.
For CNC carving with the Rotary Module,
please continue to watch our video tutorial:
How to Use CNC Function with Rotary Module.
Thank you for watching!