The overwhelming majority of laser machines in the marketplace are setup for planar slicing and engraving by default. If they’ve rotary attachments accessible in any respect, they are typically an afterthought and aren’t very nice to make use of. That’s an actual disgrace in case you’re primarily fascinated by rotary engraving cylindrical objects, like tumblers. That’s why OneLaser and Lensdigital teamed as much as launch VertiGo, which is a devoted rotary laser engraver in a singular and sensible vertical format.
The VertiGo Kickstarter marketing campaign has already raised $275,000 from greater than 50 backers, which proves that there’s demand for a machine like this. As a substitute of the everyday two or three linear movement axes, VertiGo has a main rotary axis and two linear axes. It’s meant particularly for engraving objects like tumblers, thermoses, and growlers, and is ideal for makers and small companies that course of giant numbers of these.
This vertical association has a couple of benefits, beginning with the way it holds the work. The everyday horizontal rotary attachments require some kind of assist, along with the chuck, to maintain the merchandise from drooping underneath its personal weight. As a result of the VertiGo’s rotary axis is vertical, the chuck alone is sufficient to preserve the merchandise secure. And there’s a handbook tilt adjustment to accommodate conical objects.
This format additionally permits for excellent centerline alignment and autofocus. The chuck rides on a rail perpendicular to the vertical axis, so VertiGo can routinely transfer the work nearer to or farther from the laser. And each the vertical and horizontal axes are fairly lengthy, so VertiGo can deal with giant objects.
VertiGo has a 38W RF (radio frequency) laser, which may be very uncommon within the shopper/prosumer market. It’s a tube, like a CO2 laser, however is air-cooled. That reduces upkeep necessities in comparison with water-cooled lasers. The RF laser can produce a excessive variety of pulses per second, giving it the power to engrave shortly.
The Kickstarter marketing campaign web page copy describes VertiGo as “moveable” and emphasizes that it’s good to be used at commerce reveals and craft festivals. Frankly, that appears a bit optimistic, as a result of VertiGo seems to be to be fairly massive and heavy. Dimension and weight specs aren’t listed, but it surely undoubtedly isn’t “moveable” in the identical sense as, say, a LaserPecker. However a few individuals with robust backs may in all probability carry it from a dolly on to an occasion desk.
If you would like a VertiGo, you have got till October twenty fifth to again the Kickstarter marketing campaign. Early birds can get a machine for $4,999 and it ought to ship in February of 2026.