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Rotary Axis Setup

Rayforge supports rotary attachments for engraving and cutting cylindrical objects like tumblers, glasses, pens, and round stock. When a rotary module is connected, Rayforge wraps the job around the cylinder and shows a 3D preview of the result.

Rotary Module Settings

When You Need Rotary Mode​

Use rotary mode whenever your workpiece is cylindrical. Common examples include:

  • Engraving logos or text on drinkware
  • Cutting patterns on tubes or pipes
  • Marking cylindrical objects like pens or tool handles

Without rotary mode, the Y axis moves the laser head front-to-back on a flat bed. With rotary mode enabled, the Y axis instead controls rotation of the cylinder, so the design wraps around the surface.

Setting Up a Rotary Module​

Before starting, physically attach your rotary module to the machine according to the manufacturer's instructions. Typically this means plugging it into the Y-axis stepper driver port in place of the normal Y-axis motor.

In Rayforge, open Settings → Machine and navigate to the Rotary page to configure your module:

  • Circumference: Measure the distance around the object you want to engrave. You can wrap a piece of paper or string around the cylinder and measure its length. This tells Rayforge how big the cylindrical surface is so the design scales correctly.
  • Microsteps per rotation: This is the number of steps the rotary motor needs for one full rotation. Check your rotary module's documentation for this value.

Per-Layer Rotary Mode​

If your document has multiple layers, you can enable or disable rotary mode independently for each layer. This is useful when you want to combine flat and cylindrical work in a single project, or when you have different rotary settings for different parts of the job.

When rotary mode is active on a layer, a small rotary icon appears next to that layer in the layer list so you can tell at a glance which layers will run in rotary mode.

3D Preview in Rotary Mode​

When rotary mode is active, the 3D view shows your toolpath wrapped around a cylinder instead of on a flat surface.

3D Preview in Rotary Mode

This gives you a realistic preview of how the design will look on the actual object, making it easier to spot sizing or placement issues before you start cutting.

Tips for Good Results​

  • Measure circumference carefully — even a small error here will stretch or compress your design around the cylinder.
  • Secure the workpiece — make sure the object sits firmly on the rollers and doesn't wobble or slip during the job.
  • Test with low power first — run a light engraving pass to verify alignment before committing to a full-power cut.
  • Keep the surface clean — dust or residue on the cylinder can affect engraving quality.