PiBurn Rotary: Worth the Investment?
The Piburn Rotary Axis is marketed as an attachment for laser engravers that can engrave cylindrical objects, but is it really worth the investment? Let’s take a closer look and use our critical thinking, to analyze this tool.
One of the things that make me go hmm, when looking at the Piburn Rotary Axis is its price tag. At $850 USD, it may not be cost-effective for some businesses or individuals. And if you want the PiBurn Grip, the cost increases to $995 USD, putting it on par with other expensive options like the RotoBoss.
The Piburn Grip claims to be the innovative tool the industry needed to fill the gap that wheel rotaries leave, but it is important to note, it’s honestly, just a chuck rotary by another name. You could purchase a similar device for less than $500, including shipping, or DIY for $100 and assemble yourself in about an hour.
There are no technical specifications provided for either PiBurn unit. The spec list is void of any actual components; the dissection are my best guesses. From a photo analysis, it looks like the PiBurn Rotary is made up of the following components:
- Leadshine NEMA 23 CM series stepper motor comes installed (~$50)
- Leadshine NEMA 23 iES series available as an upgrade (~$100)
- 2040 Aluminum Extrusion (~$30 per 1500mm)
- Silicone VQM O-Rings (~$0.40/ea, maybe $5.00 total)
- Lathe chuck, 3 jaw (~$50)
- V-Groove wheels, possibly delrin ($2/ea)
- Encoder wheels, possibly aluminum ($3/ea)
It’s important to carefully evaluate the potential benefits against the costs and limitations before investing in either Piburn Rotary Axis. If you print the chuck, the whole build comes out to less than $100.
In my opinion, the Piburn Rotary Axis may not be the best choice for everyone. A simpler and more cost-effective option may be a better fit for most users, while others may require the “advanced features and precision” 🙄 offered by the Piburn Rotary Axis. Only you can decide if it is worth the investment based on your specific needs and requirements. However, given the potential costs and limitations, further research is highly recommended.
