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TechSoft / Roland RotoCAMM MDX-40E |
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Versatile 3D Capable Miller/Router
The Ideal Machine for School Use |
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What is a RotoCAMM MDX-40E?
The MDX-40E has been specifically designed as a low cost solution to meet all the milling/routing/3D modelling/engraving needs of most schools. It was developed by Roland in close collaboration with TechSoft specifically for UK education.
The MDX-40E is the spiritual successor to the Roland CAMM 2, the most popular milling system ever put into UK schools. The MDX-40E builds on the strengths of the older machines, and adds many new features and capabilities.
What are the specs like?
On the MDX-40E the maximum machinable object is exceptionally large (305 x 305 x 75mm) for its class. The very deep Z axis capability means that it is just at home producing large 3D models, as it is milling and engraving.
With a powerful 100W spindle motor and a rigid, heavy duty construction, this machine is quite capable of serious work with most workshop materials. It is even capable of engraving, and light machining, in a range of light metals. The MDX-40E also benefits from high feed rates, with XY speeds of 50mm/sec, and Z axis speed of 30mm/sec. Fast speeds are very significant, particularly when 3D machining.
With low noise levels the MDX-40E can be used in either a workshop or lab-type environment. Of course, the machine is totally enclosed with safety interlocks, and fully complies with CE regulations.
What about ease of use?
The machine has been designed to be as simple to use as possible, nobody wants a machine that is fiddly to set up when 25 students are all hassling them at the same time! Top loading tools with depth stop collets are used for most jobs, ensuring quick, effortless setting up and tool changing (no tedious “touching on” of tools is required!).
The MDX-40E has a very simple control panel (just four buttons), and when using the machine from 2D Design all setup of speeds, feeds, etc. is done from within the software. However, if for any reason you want full manual control over the machine, there is an intuitive on-screen virtual panel, which allows control from your computer.
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The MDX-40E is also supplied with a Z0 Sensor (see right), which when placed on the workpiece, can be used to automatically set the Z0 position. This is an incredibly simple way of setting tool depths and is unique to Roland in this class of machine.
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What about software?
MDX-40E comes with a windows driver and a range of useful free utilities, but for serious work, extra software is needed. As a minimum we would strongly recommend 2D Design V2. This drives the MDX-40E directly and will easily manage most users requirements for milling and engraving.
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For simple 3D design, 3D Engrave (supplied free) is a useful starting point. It is a 3D design package that is so simple to use, even younger students can create exciting designs. VCarve and PhotoVCarve are also dead easy to use and produce stunning results.
For more sophisticated full 3D designs we recommend SolidWorks. This represents the best balance of power versus ease of use available today, in a full blown solid modelling package.
Whichever solid modelling package you use you will need to load designs into a machining package to drive the machine. Modela Player 4 is supplied with the MDX-40E to do this. Whilst it is a great piece of software, it is possibly too sophisticated for day to day school use. Therefore we recommend Visual Toolpath. This has similar functionality, but is designed to be easy to use in schools.
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Hand Controller Prototype
(19mm FOREX Classic with a spray paint finish) |
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| Finally, don’t forget PCB Design & Make. Simply draw your PCB then engrave it directly onto the copper board. |
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How about work holding?
Work is normally held with double-sided tape on the standard flat bed. Over many years this has proved by far the simplest system for general school use. Of course clamps can be used if required, but generally using clamps makes setup fiddly and inevitably means that sooner or later a tool will hit a clamp and break!
(N.B. Anyone who has had a bad time with double sided tape has more than likely used the wrong tape. TechSoft’s tape sticks tight, but is easy to peel off leaving no residue.) |
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WHAT ARE THE OPTIONAL EXTRAS? |
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3D machining one side of an object is easy, but if the object needs to be machined all round how do you hold it? TechSoft have designed a low cost solution to this problem, a special self-centering vice (see right). 3D objects are machined into a block, which can then be accurately turned over for machining the other surface (two sided machining). Complex objects can be machined from four sides.
The vice fits easily onto the existing bed and can be quickly removed when not required.
The use of the self-centering vice is fully supported within Visual Toolpath for both 2 and 4 sided machining. |
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Max. billet size: 345 x 197mm
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Rotary 4th Axis
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The self-centering vice is great, but an even more sophisticated option is available for machining complex 3D objects, the rotary 4th axis. This device is like a mini lathe fitted under the cuttter and capable of rotating an object through a full 360°. It allows fully automatic machining of full 3D objects (max. size 135 x 75 x 40mm). Software support is via Modela Player 4 supplied free with the machine. |
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Scanning Head
To enhance the versatility of this superb machine even further, an optional PICZA type scanning head is available. This quickly interchanges with the cutter head and means that just one machine can fulfil all the requirements of most schools for 3D work.
Scanned images may be used for presentation in conjunction with a desktop publishing package, Web page design, etc. 3D images may be added to existing 3D designs, or can form the basis of computer animations. Of course scanning can also be used for just plain copying of an existing object. Simply scan it, scale up or down, even invert if required, then machine a new one! |
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Why should I buy a RotoCAMM MDX-40E?
All schools need a CNC milling capability, it is simply a standard requirement for a modern D&T department. Even laser users need a milling capability for the shapes and processes a laser cannot handle, particularly 3D machining.
This low cost machine is simple to set up and use, exceptionally versatile, has a generous machining capacity and great cutting performance. It comes from a proven and trusted manufacturer. The optional extra accessories make it the most versatile machine in its class, it can even double up as a high quality 3D scanner. Last but not least, it has the backing of TechSoft’s unrivalled technical support.
Why buy a RotoCAMM MDX-40E? Actually its harder to think of a reason not to! |
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| FEATURES |
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- Axis travel 305 x 305 x 105mm
- Max. object machinable 305 x 305 x 75mm
- Max. feed rate (X & Y axes) 50mm/sec,
(Z axis) 30mm/sec
- Spindle speed range 4500 - 15000rpm
- Resolution 0.01mm
- Full guarding with safety interlocks
- USB interface
- Optional scanning head
- Optional Rotary 4th Axis
- Dimensions 669(W) x 760(D) x 554(H)mm
- Weight 66Kg
- 1 year warranty.
UK Mainland & Ireland: On-Site
Elsewhere: Return and Collect
- TechSoft Education Inset Pack - Inset Course
Booklet, CD, Accessories and Materials
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(All prices shown are in pounds sterling and exclude VAT) |
TechSoft / Roland RotoCAMM MDX-40E (inc TechSoft Inset Pack) (View Video)
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3995.00 |
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| Optional Rotary 4th Axis |
1495.00 |
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| Optional Scanning Head (RotoCAMM MDX-40E) |
295.00 |
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| Recommended extras: |
Self-Centering Vice (RotoCAMM MDX-40E) |
225.00 |
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Extraction Attachment (RotoCAMM MDX-40E)
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95.00 |
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Mains Switching Unit (RotoCAMM MDX-40E)
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95.00 |
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| Recommended tooling: |
| Mixed Tool Pack - 40E (General set of tools) ( Save £5) |
119.00 |
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| 3D Tool Pack - 40E (Specialist 3D tools) (Save £5) |
123.00 |
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| PCB Tool Pack - 40E (Specialist PCB tools) (Save £5) |
80.00 |
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| See also RotoCAMM MDX-40E Tooling
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| Recommended software: |
| TechSoft 2D Design V2 (2D CAD/CAM Software) |
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| TechSoft Visual Toolpath Site License |
195.00 |
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| See also SolidWorks, PCB Design and Make, TechSoft VCarve and PhotoVCarve software. |
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| ROTOCAMM ACCESSORIES |
TechSoft can supply the full range of standard accessories for the RotoCAMM. We also stock our own tools and materials including: Rotary Engraving Laminates, Modelling Foam / Board / Wax, Machining Plastic, Jelutong, FOREX® classic, PCB Materials, Food Grade Polyethylene. |
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A free TechSoft Education Inset Pack is supplied with each machine. This includes an Inset Course booklet with “hands-on” tutorials, a tutorial CD, accessories and sample pieces of material. See our TechSoft Inset Pack section for more details. |
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