(MDX-3) Main unit User's Manual
The spindle unit is included with
Thank you very much for purchasing the MODELA.
• To ensure correct and safe usage with a full understanding of this product's performance, please be sure to read through this manual completely and store it in a safe location.
• Unauthorized copying or transferral, in whole or in part, of this manual is prohibited.
• The contents of this operation manual and the specifications of this product are subject to change without notice.
• The operation manual and the product have been prepared and tested as much as possible. If you find any misprint or error, please inform us.
Windows® is registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft® Corporation in the United States and/
or other countries.
Copyright © 1996-2000 ROLAND DG CORPORATION
To Ensure Safe Use
Never disassemble or
modify this product.
Do not allow liquids, metal
objects or flammables
inside the machine.
Fire or breakdown may result.
In case of emergency,
immediately unplug
the AC adpter
NOTICE
Do not attempt to cut
metal objects.
A tool with a width of either 3 mm
Handle the power cord with care.
Do not step on or damage the
power cord, or allow heavy
objects to be
placed atop it.
Failure to heed
may result in
electrocution
or fire.
Do not install in an
unstable or high location.
Do not install the machine on
the edge of a table, or it may
fall.
When the unit is not in
use for an extended pe-
riod, detach the AC
adpter from AC outlet.
NOTICE
Do not use an air-gun
when cleaning.
a tool-mounting portion having a or 1/8" is included. Check the width
Material for test cuts x 2
Check the included items diameter of 6 mm or 1/4" value that is inscribed on the tool. 100 x 150 x 15 mm
(3-15/16" x 5-7/8" x 9/16")
Roland Software Package AC adapter Spindle unit Tool
(with case)
For the USA
Operating Instructions 3 mm or 1/8"
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
KEEP WORK AREA CLEAN. Cluttered areas and benches invites Diameter 6 mm Diameter 1/4"
COMMISSION RADIO FREQUENCY accidents. spindle unit spindle unit
INTERFERENCE STATEMENT DON’T USE IN DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT. Don’t use
power tools in damp or wet locations, or expose them to rain. Keep Hexagonal wrench Set screw x 2 Double-sided tape MODELA (MDX-3) User's Manual for MODELA PLAYER
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the work area well lighted.
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the 1.5 mm (1/16") (one spare) Main unit user's MODELA 3D DESIGN/ for Mac OS
DISCONNECT TOOLS before servicing; when changing
FCC Rules. accessories, such as blades, bits, cutters, and like. manual MODELA 3D TEXT/ User's Manual
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection REDUCE THE RISK OF UNINTENTIONAL STARTING. Make MODELA PLAYER
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in sure the switch is in off position before plugging in.
a commercial environment. USE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES. Consult the owner’s
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency manual for recommended accessories. The use of improper
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energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the accessories may cause risk of injury to persons.
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio NEVER LEAVE TOOL RUNNING UNATTENDED. TURN
communications. POWER OFF. Don’t leave tool until it comes to a complete stop.
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Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
Switch Panel
cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
For Canada Connect to the computer
required to correct the interference at his own expense. STANDBY Key
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CLASS A NOTICE This is the power switch.
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the
STANDBY LED
Unauthorized changes or modification to this system can void Never install this unit in any of the following situations, as it could result in damage:
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. This lights up when the
the users authority to operate this equipment.
• Places with excessive electrical noise. STANDBY key is VIEW Key
CLASSE A AVIS • Places with poor ventilation, because the MDX-3 generates considerable heat during pressed, and flashes This is used to pause operation tempo-
The I/O cables between this equipment and the computing Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les operation. when an error has oc- rarily and put the unit in a state where
device must be shielded. exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada. • Places with excessive vibration. curred. material or a tool may be loaded, installed,
or removed.
Make sure the power to the computer and the MDX-3 is switched off before attempting to
ROLAND DG CORPORATION connect the cables. DOWN Key
VIEW LED
1-6-4 Shinmiyakoda, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka-ken, JAPAN 431-2103 Securely connect the power cord, computer I/O cable and so on so that they will not be This lowers the blade tip and determines
MODEL NAME : See the MODEL given on the rating plate.
unplugged. Otherwise, faulty operation or breakdown may result. This lights up when the
RELEVANT DIRECTIVE : EC MACHINERY DIRECTIVE (89/392/EEC) the depth-direction reference point for
VIEW key is pressed.
EC LOW VOLTAGE DIRECTIVE (73/23/EEC) cutting.
EC ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY DIRECTIVE (89/336/EEC)
UP Key
This raises the tip of the blade.
Typographic Conventions
This manual uses typographic conventions which are outlined at the right.
This indicates a point requiring particular care to ensure safe use of the product.
Parallel connector
Use the clips on either side to secure the connector in place.
Do not use with a : Failure to heed this message will result in serious injury or death. Plate mounting screws
When pulling the
power cord from an damaged AC adapter or : Failure to heed this message may result in serious injury or death.
electrical socket, be power cord, or with a : Failure to heed this message may result in minor injury.
The AC adpter plugs in here
Table When connected to the AC adpter, the POWER LED
sure to grip the plug. loose electrical outlet.
NOTICE : Indicates important information to prevent machine breakdown or
and VIEW LED flash in alternation, then go dark.
Use with any malfunction and ensure correct use. Workpiece
other power
: Indicates a handy tip or advice regarding use. plate
supply may Plate
lead to fire or
electrocution. Spindle mounting
screw
Handle the blade Keep hands away Do not use cutting oil Wash hands when Keep hands away from Keep children away
with care. when a tool longer when performing cutting. finished. the blade during cutting during operation AC Adpter jack
than the spindle unit is
Perform dry cutting with no Wash hands with water to
mounted
cutting oil. Use of cutting oil remove any
may result in fire or machine adhering Dust tray
failure. cutting chips.
To Ensure NOTICE About the Labels Affixed to the Unit Do not place any object The cable is available
Correct Do not attempt to move the
workpiece plate or spindle-
These label are affixed to the body of this product. The following figure describes the location.
The configuration of the AC adpter varies according to regional differences in voltage. Please
within the area 30 cm separately. Be sure to
unit mounting area by hand (11-13/16") use the correct cable for
Use except when repacking the
note that the descriptions in this manual are for the 117 V adpter. the computer.
unit.
Parallel Cable
How to carry the MDX-3
Connect the unit to
NOTICE NOTICE the Computer
Rear view
This product is a precision Do not install in an area
instrument and must be subject to dust, high hu-
handled with care. midity or poor ventilation.
Use two hands to securely
grip this area on the left and
Rating label right sides.
Use a rated Parallel connector
Keep hands away from
Model label power supply. Use the clips on either side to secure the connector in place.
the blade during cutting
 Power Install a blade and load material Take care not to injury the hands when installing the blade
After Installation and Loading
ON ! Load the material 2 Secure the material to the workpiece plate 3 Secure the workpiece plate to the table

1 Apply double-sided tape to the back

1 Remove the workpiece plate
1 of the material. 1 1
1 Make sure that no double-sided tape OK No Good
Pressing the STANDBY key makes Before Installation Attach the Close the dust tray.
sticks out beyond the material.
the STANDBY LED light up. Loosen the plate workpiece plate
and Loading Use material with a surface that is as
mounting screws.
even as possible.

1 Make sure the top and

2 Workpiece bottom of the workpiece
Press the STANDBY key to
turn off the power. Align with the machining plate 2 plate are oriented cor-
2 reference point (the XY ori-
Workpiece
rectly when installing.
Tighten the plate mount-
Remove the gin point) and secure to the 2
ing screws securely.
workpiece plate workpiece plate. Press the STANDBY
key to turn on the
power.
2 Install the blade 2 Securely fasten the spindle unit in place
Positional relationship in the depth direction
3
Initialization is performed, and the 1 The flange on the spindle
Loosen the spindle mounting screw Press the VIEW key.
VIEW LED lights up. 1 Install the blade unit fits in here. It is pos-
2 by turning it counterclockwise, and 3
2 move the plate to the left. sible to check whether the
1 Attach a mounting screw on Move the plate
flange is in place by view-
one side only. Material thicker to the right. 4
Pull the dust tray completely Insert the blade shank 40.6 mm ing directly from one side.
out. Either side may be used. (1-9/16") than this value
into the spindle unit. cannot be loaded The spindle unit and workpiece plate
69.5 mm
return to the machining reference point.
Approx. 30 mm (2-11/16")
(1-1/4")
Fixed at 41.7 mm
28.9 mm (1-5/8")
(1-1/8")
2 Fit the spindle unit into place.
Set screw
Workpiece plate 4
3
Spindle unit Tighten the spindle
Use the hexagonal Normally a tool which is longer than this value
wrench to tighten the is installed. If the tool is too short, it may not mounting screw by
cut all the way through the material. turning it clockwise.
screw securely.

Set the reference point for depth (the Z origin point) Perform cutting Be sure the dust tray is closed before starting cutting. Pausing or When cutting is finished
Be sure to do this before sending data from the computer.
Loading is not possible while the VIEW LED is lit up or while cutting is in progress. 1 stopping Press the VIEW key and pull out the dust tray.
Remove the material that has been cut.
One press of the DOWN key: 0.1 mm (0.00393") of movement
Hold down the DOWN key for 0.5 sec. or more to move at 3 mm (1/16") /sec. Use the application software operation To continue with operation, repeat the steps
to create the data. (See the from "2 Install a blade and load material" to "4
1 2 3 4 MODELA User's Manual in- Perform cutting."
The reference point for cluded with the unit.) To end operation, press the STANDBY key,
Press the DOWN The blade rotates When the blade tip When the tip touches
key to lower the as it is lowered the material, release depth has now been set. then switch off the power.
comes close to the ma- Press the VIEW key.
blade the DOWN key. The MDX-3 takes the
terial surface, carefully
position when data is
use the key to lower the
sent from the computer 2 To continue with cutting, press the VIEW
blade a little at a time. If the dust tray becomes
as the depth-direction Send the cutting key again. Cutting is resumed.
reference point for op- more than half full of cuttings
commands. To end cutting, stop the transmission of data
eration. After making while cutting is in progress,
from the computer, then press the UP and DOWN
the setting, do not press press the VIEW key to pause
keys at the same time. The VIEW LED flashes for
the UP or DOWN key. 3 cutting, then pull out and
about two seconds, then the data in the MDX-3 is
empty the dust tray.
Start cutting deleted.

Care and cleaning Do not use an air-gun.

Use a vacuum cleaner to clean up cuttings.
Never lubricate the mechanisms.
What to do if...
- The MDX-3 doesn't operate
Use a small amount of water or alcohol for cleaning. Never use solvents such Is the STANDBY key on (with the STANDBY LED lit
as benzene or thinner can smooth out the material so that it sticks securely. up)?
Has operation not been paused by pressing the VIEW key
(lighting up the VIEW LED)?
Are the cable connected correctly?
Are the settings for the computer and software correct?
Specification
- Tool movement is different than the data XY table size : X: 170 mm, Y: 110 mm (6-11/16" x 4-5/16") Power consumption : Exclusive AC adpter (DC+12V 1.5A)
If an attempt is made to cut more deeply than the range of
Max. cutting area : 152.4 mm (X) x 101.6 mm (Y) x 40.65 mm (Z) Acoustic noise level : Standby mode : under 24 dB (A), Cutting mode (when
movement for the MDX-3 allows, the tool automatically rises
to the uppermost point. (6" (X) x 4" (Y) x 1-9/16" (Z)) not performing cutting) : under 52 dB (A)
Check to make sure that depth settings in the cutting data are Feed rate : 0.1 mm/sec. —15 mm/sec. (According to ISO 7779)
not too deep, and that the tool extending from the spindle unit (0.00393"/sec.—9/16"/sec.) External dimensions : 350 mm (W) x 380 mm (D) x 310 mm (H)
is not too short. Software resolution : 0.025 mm/step (0.000984"/step) (13-13/16" (W) x 15" (D) x 12-1/4" (H))

Option Lists
Name Model No. Specifications
- Speed drops during cutting
When cutting a material of uneven hardness, such as
- Correct cutting is impossible
Are the blade, spindle, and workpiece all installed and loaded
securely? Retighten the setting screw for the blade and the
Mechanical resolution : X, Z-axis : 0.025 mm/step (0.000984"/step)

Spindle motor
Y-axis : 0.05 mm/step (0.00197"/step)
: 5 W (DC motor)
Weight (unit only)
Acceptable tool
Acceptable material
: 7 kg (15.4 lb.)
: Endmill, Drill
: Wood, Plaster, Resin (modeling wax, styrenefoam)
wood, the MDX-3 may slow down automatically (to a Revolution speed : 4500 rpm (±10%) Operation temperature : 5—40°C (41—104°F)
Shank diameter: 6 mm, mill diameter 3 mm, minimum speed of 0.1 mm (0.00394") /sec.). Once the mounting screws for the spindle.
Tool ZHS-3015 Tool chuck : 6 mm or 1/4" tool chuck included Operation humidity : 35 %—80 % (no condensation)
overall length:50 mm MDX-3 has gone beyond the hard area, cutting contin- - Unusual noise is heard from the spindle Interface : Parallel (in compliance with the specification of Accessories : Roland Software Package, MODELA (MDX-3) Main
MS-3 Tool-mounting portion: 3 mm ues at normal speed.
If an exterior part becomes soiled, wipe gently The spindle unit is a consumable part. Replace with a new Centronics) unit User's Manual, User's Manual for MODELA 3D
MS-6 Tool-mounting portion: 6 mm spindle unit after 700 hours of use. DESIGN/MODELA 3D TEXT/MODELA PLAYER,
with a dry cloth. Spindle unit - The STANDBY LED is flashing slowly (every 0.5 Control keys : STANDBY, VIEW, UP, DOWN, STANDBY
MS-8A Tool-mounting portion: 1/8" MODELA PLAYER for Mac OS User's Manual, AC
sec.) LED, VIEW LED
- The spindle motor does not run adapter, Tool, Spindle unit, Material for test cuts x 2,
MS-4A Tool-mounting portion: 1/4" The material cannot be cut, even when the speed is The spindle motor is a consumable part. Replace with a new Hexagonal wrench, Set screw x 2, Double sided tape
Replacement Exclusively for MDX-3 reduced. Switch the power off and back on.
MM-3 spindle motor after 700 hours of use.
spindle motor unit Switch the power off and back on again. Make sure the Interface Specification
blade being used is appropriate for the hardness of the - Pressing the STANDBY key does not switch off the [ Parallel ]
material in use. Modify the software settings to cut the power Standard : In compliance with the specification of Centronics
material a little at a time. Unplug the AC adapter from the unit. Input signal : STROBE(1BIT), DATA(8BIT)
Output signal : BUSY(1BIT), ACK(1BIT)
- The STANDBY LED is flashing rapidly (every
I/O signal level : TTL level
0.1 sec.)
Switch off the power, and check the cable connections as Transmission method : Asynchronous
well as the settings for the computer and software.

R4-000112