【3D New Product Express】CNC Milling Machine: Unboxing and Operation Guide!
The desktop CNC milling machine has recently arrived at the 3DMart office! Unlike 3D printing, the Roland MDX50 CNC milling machine is a type of subtractive manufacturing, where a cutting tool gradually shapes a material block. Both methods have their own characteristics and complement each other. This time, we will be operating the Roland MDX50 CNC milling machine to give you a closer look!
The appearance of the machine itself is very beautiful, but we were worried that splashing debris might scratch the surface. Therefore, we covered the outer casing and the internal transparent panel with a layer of static cling film. The actual appearance is as cool and imposing as shown in the image above.
We used a game controller that we previously 3D printed as a sample for testing. Roland, as a major manufacturer of CNC equipment, also provides dedicated software for adjusting various parameters. The light green part in the image represents the volume of the raw material, which must be larger than the forming area of the object in the center.
A sacrificial block must first be placed on the platform, and the round metal calibration tool should be roughly positioned above the center of the sacrificial block. The machine will use this calibration tool for positioning. Then, the raw material block to be cut is placed, and its center is also positioned again.
The Roland MDX50 demonstrated here operates with an automatic tool changer system, so there's no need for manual tool changes mid-process. Simply place the tools to be used in this internal tool magazine beforehand, and these tools will automatically connect with the chuck during automatic tool changes.
Since it's a cutting process, a lot of debris will be generated. However, the advantage of this MDX50 CNC milling machine is its enclosed structure, which keeps waste materials neatly contained without scattering everywhere. It also has a drawer-style collection box at the bottom, which can be easily pulled out and emptied, making it very convenient. This is why it's a popular choice among engineering schools and small to medium-sized enterprises for this type of machine.
Typically, holes are drilled in the sacrificial block and raw material block for securing before manufacturing. It is important to ensure these holes are outside the range of the formed object. Once the machine finishes operating, the processed product can be removed.
Once completed, there will be connecting bridges between the object and the excess material. Simply cut or remove these bridges to retrieve the finished product!
We used two colors and different levels of processing to show the difference between various tools and stages. The MDX50 CNC machining center also has "roughing" and "finishing" processes. Before finishing, a roughing tool is used to remove large chunks of waste material, and then a fine finishing tool is used for detailed trimming.
(The stepped surface in the image is the initial state after roughing.)
(The image shows the surface effect after secondary fine-tuning with a finishing tool.)
We used modeling board material, which is a plastic block mixed with wood chips and resin. After CNC machining, it has a matte texture, but it feels very smooth, not rough, and doesn't shed powder, very close to the effect of product prototypes or plastic injection molding.
Currently, the 3DMart office has dozens of manufacturing equipment, including 3D printers, FormBox, and laser cutting machines. Fortunately, they are all compact desktop models, so the office space can accommodate them. In the future, we will continue to share more unboxing articles about different technologies. Feel free to follow our Facebook page to stay updated on the latest technologies!
．See ten devices at once at the 3D Printing Exhibition
．Exhibition Dates: 2019/8/21 (Wed) - 8/24 (Sat)
．Exhibition Hours: 9:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM (Saturday until 4:00 PM)
．Exhibition Venue: Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 2, 4th Floor, Booth S423
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