Equipment/CNC Model Mill
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THE CONTENTS IS WORK IN PROGRESS AND LIKELY INCORRECT AND SHOULD BE IGNORED UNTIL THIS HEADER IS REMOVED
Equipment / CNC Model Mill
A model mill for 3D subtractive prototyping, 3D scanning and PCB milling.
Summary
The MDX-40A is a full-featured CNC (computer numerical control) mill capable of cutting jeweler's wax, resins, chemical wood, acrylic and wood. It is ideal for quickly and easily creating high-quality prototypes, parts and models.
http://www.rolanddga.com/products/milling/mdx40/
- Capacity: 305 x 305 x 105mm
- Rate (X,Y): 50mm/sec
- Rate (Z): 30mm/sec
- Spindle Speed: 4500 to 15000rpm
- Resolution: 0.01mm
- Materials: Plastics (ABS, Delrin/Acetal, Nylon, Acrylic), tooling board, wood, and modeling wax, PCBs
- Includes scanning head
Here are some examples we've made on the Model Mill (please add a photo of yours any time you do a job!)
Using the Mill
Owners
The Owners are those who have volunteered to be in charge of the equipment, organising maintenance, training others to use it, and generally being a point of contact. The current Owners of this item are:
If you have any questions, problems or concerns around the laser cutter, please use the mailing list thread:
Training
YOU CAN ONLY USE THE MODEL MILL IF YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED
and have been added to the Trained Users list by one of the Owners
To get trained on the model mill and be added to the qualified user list, you will need to arrange for a training session with one of the Model Mill Owners.
If you'd like to arrange training, please see:
Health and Safety
COMMING SOON
Instructions
Coordinate Systems
The main window in VPanel displays the present location of the tool as numerical values. Using these lets you perform manual feed accurately, which can be very convenient in tasks such as aligning the workpiece.
The numerical values that indicate the location of the tool are called "coordinates," and the starting point for the coordinates is called the "origin." The following figure shows a location that is shifted from the origin by 50 millimetres along the X-axis, 30 millimetres along the Y-axis, and 20 millimetres along the Z-axis. This X-axis distance is called the "X-axis coordinate" (or sometimes just the "X coordinate"), and the Y- and Z-axis distances are similarly called the "Y-axis coordinate" and the "Z-axis coordinate."
The distances from the origin for the respective axes to the tool are therefore the corresponding coordinate values.
Software
VPanel
VPanel is a program to operate the modelling machine on the computer screen. It has functions to output cutting data, perform maintenance, and make various corrections. In addition, it displays error messages of the modelling machine.
ClickMill
ClickMILL is a program that lets you perform simple milling operations without a model (3D shape data). It allows you to perform drilling, chamfering and surface levelling and to cut flat panels to size in rectangular or circular shapes.
SRP Player
SRP Player imports a model (3D data in IGES, DXF [3D], and STL) and cuts a workpiece to transform it into the actual shape. It calculates the path of the blade that performs the cutting, and operates a cutting machine accordingly. The path of the blade is called the "tool path".
Basic Introduction to SRP Player (Video) Note: We do not have the Rotary axis or the tool changer.
Cut2D
Cut2D is easy to use. The software automatically compensates for the cutter diameter and geometry when calculating toolpaths, so you simply select the shapes to machine and Cut2D takes care of the rest.
Cut2D opens CAD drawings and vector designs from most drawing packages and includes filters for the following industry standard file formats: DXF, DWG, EPS, AI & PDF files
Very simple projects can also be drawn directly in Cut2D.
Multiple designs can be imported and combined.
Cut2D allows the you to preview the calculated tool paths in a 3D window to see exactly what the machined part will look like.
Cut2D Tutorials These tutorials are very good and are your best resource for learning how to use this software.
CopperCAM
Manufacture's site for CopperCAM
An essential part of producing milled printed circuit boards is the ability to convert the Gerber photoplot files produced by most PCB layout tools to a format readable by CNC mill software to either isolate traces and pads or to "rub out" all copper on a board except traces and pads. You also need a tool to convert the common Excellon drill files to CNC language to drill the through holes and vias in the circuit board.
CopperCAM is a program for engraving and isolation routing. It only provides the Gerber and drill file conversion and does not provide any machine control. The exported files should be loaded and run via the vPanel software for download to the mill.
Tips & Tricks
COMMING SOON
Maintenance
The maintenance of the Model Mill is carried out by the Owners, with some basic maintenance being carried out by Users on every job.
Maintenance Schedule
Continuous Maintenance (Every job, done by all Model Mill Users)
- Hover all the inside of the mill, and under it. Do not blow the dust, it goes everywhere!
- Clean the mill with a
- Clean any debris off laser bed and surround using soft brush
Basic Maintenance (done by Model Mill Maintainers)
- STUFF TO GO HERE
Maintenance Log
Installed on 21st March 2013.
Maintenance Shopping List
Further Information
Installation
Purchase
- MP-ROTO-MDX40AE (mill - £4,695)
- RL-ROTO-TS30SCAN (scanner head - £295)
- Selection of tooling (???)
- Sample selection of materials (???)
Repairs
Expected on-going maintenance costs are expected to be very low if maintained correctly. Two areas that will need watching for repair are:
- Spindle drive belt expected life 1000's of Hours (Supplier holds in stock) ~£10
- Spindle assembly (bearings fail) 10000 Hours MTBF (Supplier holds in stock) £195. It is suggest that when this starts to fail we buy a second spindle assembly and then repair the first, the bearings can be had for <£20.
Material Suppliers
Related Machines
Here are other machines available in this class:
| Machine | URL | Price (UKP) | Size - X | Size - Y | Size - Z | Notes |
| iModela | link | 500 | 80 | 55 | 26 | |
| Heiz S400 | link | 1595 | 400 | 300 | 110 | |
| Modela Pro MDX-540 | link | 13995 | 500 | 400 | 155 | Plastic resin and light metal, 400 to 12,000 rpm, |
| Modela MDX-20 | link | 2799 | 200 | 150 | 60 | Wood, Plaster, Resin (modeling wax, styrenform), Chemical wood, Aluminum (A5052 according to JIS),Brass, 6500 rpm, includes scanning head |
