For those who laser engrave pens using the rotary

[Dan Hintz]

Uhhhh, Chuck? I think I just found the package I had supposedly sent back to you a month ago sitting under some woodworking magazines on my desk This does not speak well for my organizational skills. I'm setting it on the counter now...

[Chuck Stone]

Uhhhh, Chuck? I think I just found the package I had supposedly sent back to you a month ago sitting under some woodworking magazines on my desk This does not speak well for my organizational skills. I'm setting it on the counter now...

LOL .. great!! Then it can spend another month lost in a pile on MY desk..

[Robert Walters]

For the ULS owners out there, how do you do it? Do you use a 4"FL lens?

I'm to the point where I want to cannibalize the headstock and rip off the metal shroud as it gets in the way. I cannot focus deep enough using a 2"FL lens without hitting the shroud, so thin items (such as pens) cannot be turned.

Am I missing something in the setup? And just so we're on the same page, I want to engrave designs around the entire pen, not just a thin strip on one side, so a flat fixture won't solve this issue. The Epilog rotary design appears to have a leg up on this one...

Just a thought...

Can you extend the base of the rotary so the lens doesn't hit the sides?
(Maybe mount on a new base plate)

Add extensions to the cones using thick walled tubing and some set screws?

[Dan Hintz]

Robert,

It's an issue with the carriage (at the 0,0 position) hitting the housing when the table is raised high enough to focus with a 2"FL lens. the housing could be smaller, but I'm sure it was made the way it is because it was cheaper to make fewer bends in the sheet metal.

[Robert Walters]

I'm sure it was made the way it is because it was cheaper to make fewer bends in the sheet metal.

Oh geeze... that bites!

[Chuck Stone]

Does your software have an 'offset' setting for the rotary? I think that
will effectively change the ''0,0" position (once the machine has initialized)

If the software allows you to set the head to NOT return home after
engraving, then the only time you need to worry about it is when you
turn the machine on. Run a file with the cover open and then it won't
try to go home again until you turn it off and on again.

With the 2" lens and rotary, my headstock us under the left side of
the frame, no cover on. It will just slide under and it till focus.

Between those three things, I can get it to work. The manual says that
the smallest item the rotary will do is 3.5". Obviously not true, but it is
probably the smallest that Tech Support wants to deal with.

[Eric Seest]

I just recently got a rotary for our system, and was hoping to do pens but was not sure how to with the cone that is on it. Looking at the three jaw chuck I see that it can be done, for those that use the chuck that was posted above; does it mount directly to the motor shaft or does a collar have to be made for it to mount to? If anyone would be willing to share a picture or two on how it mounts up and what it looks like it would be appreciated.

[Mike Berndt]

Hello all,
I am a newbie in the laser engraving arena!! I bought a totally refurbished ULS-25e 25 watt laser(I know it is old) and have some support through the seller and the company for any questions that I come up with. I made a jig with a v groove for engraving pens and it seems to work pretty well. I teach middle school and have invested some money to introduce laser engraving to my middle school students and bolster my Technology education program.
I am looking for as much help as I can get on this topic and will be watching the posts. What a great forum to have and the wealth of infomation that is given is great. Thanks to all that post and help each other out because isn't that what life is about?? Everyone helping each other to succeed!!