Subtractive Rapid Prototyping / Roland MDX-40A

Design Fabrication Workshop / DOA / NUS
II. Subtractive Rapid Prototyping / Roland MDX-40A
Subtractive Rapid Prototyping
ROLAND MDX-40A
MACHINE OPERATION
Model:
Mat. Size:
Material:
Interface:
Input:
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Roland MDX-40A Milling Machine
305 x 305 x 123mm
Solid woods, chemical woods (MDF), acrylic, foam (blue, white, pink)
(Note no plywoods allowed)
Modela Player 4
.stl (From Rhino, export as .stl.)
Design Fabrication Workshop / DOA / NUS
II. Subtractive Rapid Prototyping / Roland MDX-40A
CHANGE OF CUTTING TOOL
Roland MDX-40A
1. To change the cutting
tool, use the two
spanners provided.
Loosen the cutting
tool collet by turning
the smaller spanner
clockwise.
2. Unscrew the collet and
remove the cutter bit.
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Design Fabrication Workshop / DOA / NUS
II. Subtractive Rapid Prototyping / Roland MDX-40A
3. Select the correct
collet according to the
cutter diameter. Screw it
back to the spindle.
4. Insert the required
cutter bit into the collet.
While holding the larger
spanner, turn the collet
anti-clockwise to tighten
it slighlty.
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Design Fabrication Workshop / DOA / NUS
II. Subtractive Rapid Prototyping / Roland MDX-40A
5. Use the smaller
spanner to tighten the
collet fully by turning it
anti-clockwise.
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Design Fabrication Workshop / DOA / NUS
II. Subtractive Rapid Prototyping / Roland MDX-40A
ONE-SIDED MILLING
(For double-sided milling, refer to Roland MDX-650 Machine Operation)
Roland MDX-40A
1. Switch on the machine.
Open the safety cover.
2. Make sure base wood
is clean to work on.
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Design Fabrication Workshop / DOA / NUS
II. Subtractive Rapid Prototyping / Roland MDX-40A
3. Mark out 4 points
near the corners of the
material. Use a drill bit
size slightly bigger than
the screw to drill 4 holes
through the material.
4. Use a bigger drill bit
size larger than the screw
head to drill a bigger
hole partially through.
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Design Fabrication Workshop / DOA / NUS
II. Subtractive Rapid Prototyping / Roland MDX-40A
5. Mount the material
to the base wood using
4 screws. Ensure that
the screw heads do not
protrude beyond the
material cutting surface.
The position of the
screws must also be
outside the material
cutting area.
6. Ensure that the
material is firmly secured
to the base wood.
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Design Fabrication Workshop / DOA / NUS
II. Subtractive Rapid Prototyping / Roland MDX-40A
7. Use the Roland VPanel
machine controller from
the computer to set the
X, Y and Z origin points of
the material.
For the setting of the
Z-axis origin point, the
attached sensor can be
used.
8. Alternatively, the
z-axis origin point can be
set manually by moving
the cutter bit.
A paper can be placed to
determine the point. The
ideal position is when the
paper is lightly held to
the material by the cutter
bit. Tug at the paper to
remove it.
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Design Fabrication Workshop / DOA / NUS
II. Subtractive Rapid Prototyping / Roland MDX-40A
9. Close safety lid when
ready. Send the file
from Modela Player by
pressing “Cut”.
To pause job, press
“View”.
10. If it is necessary,
pause job to vacuum
the accumulated waste
to avoid ‘cutter jam’
problem.
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Design Fabrication Workshop / DOA / NUS
II. Subtractive Rapid Prototyping / Roland MDX-40A
11. When job is done,
remove the screws
using the drill (placed in
reverse mode).
12. Sample output
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