VertiGo Is a Dedicated Rotary Laser Engraver Perfect for Stanley Tumblers

The vast majority of laser machines on the market are setup for planar cutting and engraving by default. If they have rotary attachments available at all, they tend to be an afterthought and aren’t very pleasant to use. That’s a real shame if you’re primarily interested in rotary engraving cylindrical objects, like tumblers. That’s why OneLaser and Lensdigital teamed up to launch VertiGo, which is a dedicated rotary laser engraver in a unique and practical vertical format.

The VertiGo Kickstarter campaign has already raised $275,000 from more than 50 backers, which proves that there is demand for a machine like this. Instead of the typical two or three linear motion axes, VertiGo has a primary rotary axis and two linear axes. It is intended specifically for engraving items like tumblers, thermoses, and growlers, and is perfect for makers and small businesses that process large numbers of those.

This vertical arrangement has a few advantages, starting with how it holds the work. The typical horizontal rotary attachments require some sort of support, in addition to the chuck, to keep the item from drooping under its own weight. Because the VertiGo’s rotary axis is vertical, the chuck alone is enough to keep the item stable. And there is a manual tilt adjustment to accommodate conical items.

This layout also allows for perfect centerline alignment and autofocus. The chuck rides on a rail perpendicular to the vertical axis, so VertiGo can automatically move the work closer to or further from the laser. And both the vertical and horizontal axes are quite long, so VertiGo can handle large items.

VertiGo has a 38W RF (radio frequency) laser, which is very unusual in the consumer/prosumer market. It is a tube, like a CO2 laser, but is air-cooled. That reduces maintenance requirements compared to water-cooled lasers. The RF laser can produce a high number of pulses per second, giving it the ability to engrave quickly.

The Kickstarter campaign page copy describes VertiGo as “portable” and emphasizes that it is good for use at trade shows and craft fairs. Frankly, that seems a bit optimistic, because VertiGo looks to be quite big and heavy. Size and weight specs aren’t listed, but it definitely isn’t “portable” in the same sense as, say, a LaserPecker. But a couple of people with strong backs could probably lift it from a dolly on to an event table.

If you want a VertiGo, you have until October 25th to back the Kickstarter campaign. Early birds can get a machine for $4,999 and it should ship in February of 2026.