MODELA MDX-20 User manual

MDX-20
MDX-15
Thank you very much for purchasing the MDX-20/15.
• To ensure correct and safe usage with a full under-
standingofthisproduct'sperformance,pleasebesure
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 speci-
fications of this product are subject to change with-
out 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.
• Roland DG Corp. assumes no responsibility for any
direct or indirect loss or damage which may occur
through use of this product, regardless of any failure
to perform on the part of this product.
• Roland DG Corp. assumes no responsibility for any
direct or indirect loss or damage which may occur
with respect to any article made using this product.
USER'S MANUAL
This User's Manual is intended for MDX-20 and MDX-15.

For the USA
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE
STATEMENT
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated
in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his own expense.
Unauthorized changes or modification to this system can void
the users authority to operate this equipment.
The I/O cables between this equipment and the computing
device must be shielded.
For Canada
CLASS A NOTICE
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
CLASSE A AVIS
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les
exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du
Canada.
ROLAND DG CORPORATION
1-6-4 Shinmiyakoda, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka-ken, JAPAN 431-2103
MODEL NAME : See the MODEL given on the rating plate.
RELEVANT DIRECTIVE : EC MACHINERY DIRECTIVE (98/37/EC)
EC LOW VOLTAGE DIRECTIVE (73/23/EEC)
EC ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY DIRECTIVE (89/336/EEC)

1
Windows®and Windows NT®are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft®Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
i486 and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States.
AutoCAD®is registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc.
IBM is trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Other company names and product name are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Copyright © 2000 Roland DG Corporation
Table of Contents
To Ensure Safe Use........................................................2
About the Labels Affixed to
the AC Adapter and Unit ......................5
1 What You Can Do with MODELA ..........................6
2 Check the Included Items ........................................7
3 Part Names ............................................................... 8
4 Setting Up and Connection ......................................9
5 Installing the Software ........................................... 11
Software That Can Be Used
with the MODELA ................................... 11
Setting Up the Program ....................................12
How to Use Help ..............................................18
6 Operation Guide [Cutting Section] ........................19
Create the Cutting Data ....................................19
Attach the Spindle Unit ....................................22
Install the Cutting Tool.....................................24
Load the Workpiece..........................................26
Attach the Front Cover.....................................27
Powering ON.................................................... 28
Perform Surfacing ............................................28
Perform Cutting................................................33
When Cutting is Finished.................................34
http://www.rolanddg.com/
7 Operation Guide [Scanning Section] .....................36
Attach the Sensor Unit .....................................36
Load the Object to Be Scanned
on the MODELA ......................................38
Attach the Front Cover.....................................39
Powering ON.................................................... 39
Setting Scanning Conditions
and Starting Scanning ..............................39
Saving Scanned Data........................................43
Edit the Scanned Data ......................................43
When Scanning Is Finished..............................43
8 Overview of the Usage Guides ..............................44
9 Software Guide ......................................................45
Driver for Windows 95/98/Me .........................45
Driver for Windows NT4.0/2000/XP ............... 47
MODELA 3D DESIGN ...................................50
MODELA 3D TEXT ........................................ 52
MODELA Player.............................................. 54
Virtual MODELA .............................................54
Dr.PICZA .........................................................56
Dr. Engrave ......................................................57
3D Engrave.......................................................60
10 What to Do If... ......................................................65
11 Items That May Not Be Copied .............................67
12 Specifications.........................................................68

2
To Ensure Safe Use
Used for instructions intended to alert the user to the risk of death or severe
injury should the unit be used improperly.
About and Notices
Used for instructions intended to alert the user to the risk of injury or material
damage should the unit be used improperly.
* Material damage refers to damage or other adverse effects caused with
respect to the home and all its furnishings, as well to domestic animals or
pets.
About the Symbols
The symbol alerts the user to important instructions or warnings. The specific meaning of
the symbol is determined by the design contained within the triangle. The symbol at left means
"danger of electrocution."
The symbol alerts the user to items that must never be carried out (are forbidden). The
specific thing that must not be done is indicated by the design contained within the circle. The
symbol at left means the unit must never be disassembled.
The symbol alerts the user to things that must be carried out. The specific thing that must
be done is indicated by the design contained within the circle. The symbol at left means the
power-cord plug must be unplugged from the outlet.
Do not disassemble, repair, or
modify.
Doing so may lead to fire or abnormal
operation resulting in injury.
Do not use with any power supply
other than the dedicated AC adapter.
Use with any other power supply may lead
to fire or electrocution.
Do not use with any electrical power
supply that does not meet the
ratings displayed on the AC adapter.
Use with any other power supply may lead
to fire or electrocution.
Do not use while in an abnormal
state (i.e., emitting smoke, burning
odor, unusual noise, or the like).
Doing so may result in fire or electrical
shock.
Immediately unplug the power-cord plug
from the electrical outlet, and contact your
authorized Roland DG Corp. dealer or
service center.
Use only with the power cord
included with this product.
Use with other than the included power cord
may lead to fire or electrocution.
Ground the unit with the ground wire.
Failure to do so may result in risk of electro-
cution in the event of a mechanical problem.

3
When not in use for several hours,
unplug the power-cord plug from the
electrical outlet.
Failure to do so may
result in danger of
shock, electrocution,
or fire due to
deterioration of the
electrical insulation.
When unplugging the electrical
power cord from the power outlet,
grasp the plug, not the cord.
Unplugging by
pulling the cord
may damage it,
leading to fire or
electrocution.
Do not attempt to unplug the power-
cord plug with wet hands.
Doing so may
result in electrical
shock.
Do not allow liquids, metal objects
or flammables inside the machine.
Such materials
can cause fire.
Install on a stable surface.
Failure to do so
may result in falling
of the unit, leading
to injury.
Do not touch the tip of the cutting
tool with your fingers.
Doing so may result in injury.
Wear dust goggles and mask during
use.
Cutting dust
may scatter,
causing
bodily injury.
Do not allow children to operate
without adult supervision or operate
within reach of young children.
Doing so may result in injury.
Do not use with a damaged AC
adapter, power cord, or power-cord
plug or with a loose electrical outlet.
Use with any other
power supply may
lead to fire or
electrocution.
Do not injure or modify the electrical
power cord, nor subject it to
excessive bends, twists, pulls,
binding, or pinching, nor place any
object of weight on it.
Doing so may
damage the
electrical power
cord, leading to
electrocution or
fire.

4
During cutting or scanning, do not
place hands near the cutting tool or
the probe.
Doing so may
result in injury.
In case of emergency, immediately
unplug the AC adapter
While the power is on, do not
remove the spindle unit from the
carriage.
Doing so may
result in
injury.
Do not operate if a transparent cover
is cracked or broken.
If the transparent
cover at the front
or the side of the
unit is cracked,
contact a service
agent
immediately for
repairs.
When you're finished,
wash your hands to
rinse away all
cuttings.
Store clay out of the reach of
children. Use a commercially available brush to remove metal cuttings.
Attempting to use
a vacuum cleaner
to take up metal
cuttings may
cause fire in the
vacuum cleaner.
UP
DOWN
TOOL

5
UP
DOWN
TOOL
About the Labels Affixed to the AC Adapter and Unit
These labels are affixed to the body of this product and theAC adapter. The following figure describes the location.
: Indicates information to prevent machine breakdown or malfunction and ensure correct use.
: Indicates a handy tip or advice regarding use.
In addition to the and symbols, the symbols shown below are also used.
NOTICE
During cutting or
scanning, keep hands
away from the cutting
tool and the probe. Rated power supply
Do not use with any electrical
power supply that does not
meet the ratings displayed on
the AC adapter.
Model name

6
1 What You Can Do with MODELA
Cut material to make a shape
MODELA cuts materials for three-dimensional objects made with software.
You can also engrave plates using flat line-drawing data.
Create three-dimensional data from a shape
MODELA can scan the shape of a solid object and create three-dimensional data.
You can use this data to do things like changing the size or make use of a natural shape as part of another design.
Use software to
create a three-
dimensional object.
Cutting a
shape
Enter the parameters
for cutting the three-
dimensional object
(cutting parameters).
Perform cutting. Finished result.
Use software design
a line drawing.
Engraving
Enter the parameters
for engraving (engrav-
ing parameters).
Performengraving. Finished result.
Prepare the three-
dimensional object.
Creating
data from
a shape
Enter the parameters
for scanning. Perform scanning. Finished result.
3D Design etc. MODELA Player
Dr.Engrave etc. 2.5D Driver
Dr.PICZA Dr.PICZA

7
2 Check the Included Items
AC adapter: 1 Power cord: 1 Roland software
package:1 Spindle unit: 1 (*1)
Sensor unit: 1 (*1) Cap screw M4 x 15: 4
(Two spares) Tool: 1 (High speed steel)
The shape of the tool may
differ from that below.
Set screw M3 x 3: 2
(One spare)
(*1) Do not discard the included-item box containing the spindle unit and sensor unit.
It is needed to hold the unused unit while Modela is in operation.
(*2) The positioning pin is used when performing double-sided cutting with MODELA.
For detailed information about double-sided cutting, see “Cutting Tips” in the included CD-ROM (refer to "8 Overview of
the Usage Guides").
Front cover: 1 Hexagonal wrench
(size : 3 mm) :1
Hexagonal wrench
(size : 1.5 mm): 1
Positioning pins: 3 (*2)
(diameter 3 mm (0.118 in.),
length 20 mm (0.787 in.))
(One spare)
Double sided tape: 1
Clay:1 MDX-20/15 User's Manual: 1
The configuration of the
MDX-15 differs, but the
attachment method is the same.

8
UP
DOWN
TOOL
MODELING
MODE LED
SCANNING
MODE LED
STANDBYkey
VIEW LED
VIEW key
TOOL-UP key
TOOL-DOWNkey
3 Part Names
Do not touch the wire with the hands.
Except when repacking the unit, do not attempt to move the table or carriage by hand.
NOTICE
Switch Panel
Front
Rear
Carriage
Work plate
Table
Jack
AC adapter jack
Serial connector
Wire
In this manual, sections that explain commons points for the MDX-20/15, use only illustrations of the MDX-20. Some details of
the MDX-15 differ from the figure.

9
UP
DOWN
TOOL
4 Setting Up and Connection
Do not use with any power supply
other than the dedicated AC adapter.
Use with any other power supply may lead
to fire or electrocution.
Do not use with any electrical power
supply that does not meet the
ratings displayed on the AC adapter.
Use with any other power supply may lead
to fire or electrocution. Install on a stable surface.
Failure to do so
may result in falling
of the unit, leading
to injury.
Use within a temperature range of 5 to 40°C (41 to 104°F) and within a humidity range of 35 to 80%.
Securely connect the power cord, computer I/O cable and so on so that they will not be unplugged and cause
failure during operation. Doing so may lead to faulty operation or breakdown.
NOTICE Never install this unit in any of the following situations, as it could result in damage:
Places where the installation surface is unstable or not level.
Places with excessive electrical noise.
Places with excessive humidity or dust.
Places with poor ventilation, because the MODELA generates considerable heat during operation.
Places with excessive vibration.
* Do not place any object
within the area
30 cm (12 in.)
AC adapter jack
Connecting the AC Adapter and Power Cord
Connect in the order of the numbers shown in the figure.
AC adapter
Powercord
2
3
Use only with the power cord
included with this product.
Use with other than the included power cord
may lead to fire or electrocution.
Ground the unit with the ground wire.
Failure to do so may result in risk of electro-
cution in the event of a mechanical problem.
30 cm (12 in.)
10 cm (4 in.)
10 cm (4 in.)
1

10
UP
DOWN
TOOL
Connecting with Computer
•If your computer is an IBM PC compatible personal computer, then use an optionally available XY-RS-14/34 cable (or equivalent). A
straight cable such as modem cable will not work.
•Make sure the power to the computer and the MODELA is switched off before attempting to connect the cables.
Serial connector
Serial cable
(XY-RS-34 or equivalent)
IBM PC or PC compatible

11
5 Installing the Software
Software Overview
Windows driver
MODELA programs
MODELA Player
MODELA 3D DESIGN
MODELA 3D TEXT
Virtual MODELA
Dr.Engrave
3D Engrave
Dr.PICZA
This is necessary when sending data to MODELA from a Windows-based program.
If you’re using Windows, be sure to install this driver.
The Windows versions of MODELA Player, MODELA 3D DESIGN, and MODELA 3D
TEXT cannot be set up separately.
This sets the required parameters for cutting solid objects and sends the cutting data to
MODELA.
This can import not only solid objects created with three-dimensional programs from Roland
DG Corp., but also solid objects created using other commercially available three-dimen-
sional programs (via DXF or STL).
This lets you choose a basic shape such as a cylinder or sphere, and modify it to create a
three-dimensional object.
You can intuitively create solid objects with smooth curves.
You can use MODELA to cut solid objects and save data in three-dimensional DXF files.
This adds thickness to text to create three-dimensional characters.
It’s also possible to edit text to make it bold, italic, or the like. You can put a box around text
with just a single click —a handy feature when making nameplates.
You can use MODELA to cut three-dimensional text and save data in three-dimensional
DXF files.
This simulates tool movement before performing cutting with MODELA.
You can use it to check the finished shape as well as things like whether the cutting depth is
suitable and how much time cutting will take. This can reduce loss for cutting materials and
time.
This is used to design plates and send the engraving data to MODELA.
You can make large numbers of plates with the same design with high efficiency. You can
use the TrueType fonts registered in Windows as the font style for text. You can even make
stroke fonts from TrueType fonts.
Because you can the outline of an image and convert it to line segments, it’s also possible to
include logos for companies or organizations in the plates you make.
This adds thickness to a flat (two-dimensional) graphic to create a relief (raised engraving).
You can also add thickness to images such as illustrations.
This scans the shape of a solid object with MODELA and creates three-dimensional data.
You can use it to rescan a particular portion, delete unneeded portions, cut a scanned three-
dimensional object with MODELA, or save data in any of four file formats, including DXF
and STL.
Software That Can Be Used with the MODELA
The Roland Software Package CD-ROM contains many different kinds of software.
You can view the software that can be used with MODELA by displaying the setup menu on the CD-ROM and choosing the model of
MODELA.
See below for overviews and brief description of usage for the software displayed on the setup menu.

12
Setting Up the Program
Setting Up the Program
If you are installing under Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP, log on to Windows as "Administrators" account.
1Switch on the computer and start Windows. 2Place the CD from the Roland Software Package
in the CD-ROM drive.
The Setup menu appears automatically.
MODELA Applications Dr.Engrave 3D Engrave Virtual MODELA Dr.PICZA
Operating system Windows 95/98/Me/NT4.0/2000/XP
Computer Computer running Windows (Pentium processor or better recommended)
Memory (RAM) 32 MB or more recommended
Free hard-disk space
7 MB 10 MB 10 MB 5 MB 3 MB
required for installation
System requirements
4The Setup program starts. Follow the messages to
carry out setup and finish setting up the program.
* When the setup for one program finishes, the
setup for the next program starts.
In the interval until the next setup starts, a dialog
box showing the progress of processing is
displayed.
3Click the drop-down arrow next to [Click here],
choose the model you're using, then click [Install].
If you're using the MDX-20, choose [MDX-20]. If
you're using the MDX-15, choose [MDX-15].
To view the description of a program, click the
button. To view the manual, click the button.
(There are manuals in PDF format for the pro-
grams that the button references. Acrobat
Reader is required to view PDF files.)
If there are programs you don't want to install, then
clear their check boxes before you click [Install].

13
5The driver settings appear. Check the values, click
[Close], and finish installing the driver. 6When all installation finishes, the screen shown below appears.
Click [Close].
After returning to the menu screen for installation,
click .
78
Remove the CD-ROM from the CD-ROM drive.
1Click [Start]-[Settings]-[Printer] to open the [Printer]
folder. Right-click on the Roland MODELA MDX-
20 icon, then click [Properties].
The [Roland MODELA MDX-20 Properties] dialog
box appears.
2Click the [Details] tab. At [Print to the following
port(s)], choose an unused port other than [COM1].
4Make the settings for the following communica-
tion parameters. Click [OK].
3Set [Transmission retry] to 3,600 seconds. Click the
[Port Settings] .
The [Port Settings] tab appears.
Changing the Port
When the driver is installed, the port for output from the computer is automatically set to [COM1]. If MODELA is connected to a port other
than [COM1], follow the steps below to change the port setting.
* The explanations in this section describe operation of the MDX-20. If you're using the MDX-15, then where "MDX-20" appears in the text, read "MDX-
15" instead.
<Driver for Windows 95/98/Me>

14
<Driver for Windows NT4.0/2000/XP>
When you make the settings for Windows NT4.0/2000/XP driver, log on to Windows as "Administrators" or "Power Users" account.
3Click the [Ports] tab. For [Port], choose an unused
port other than [COM1]. Click [Configuration Port].
> Windows NT 4.0: go to step 4
> Windows 2000/XP: go to step 5
2Right-click on the Roland MODELA MDX-20 icon,
then click [Properties].
The [Roland MODELA MDX-20 Properties] dialog
box appears.
1Open the [Printers] folder.
Windows NT4.0/2000:
Click [Start]-[Settings]-[Printers].
Windows XP:
Click [Start]-[Control Panel]. Click [Printers and
Other Hardware], then click [Printers and Faxes].
4Click the port you chose in step 3, then click [Set-
tings].
5Make the settings for the following communication
parameters. Click [OK].

15
Application Settings
When you finish installing the applications, continue by making the following settings. Be sure to make the settings before use.
* The explanations in this section describe operation of the MDX-20. If you're using the MDX-15, then where "MDX-20" appears in the text, read "MDX-
15" instead.
1Click [Start] and point to [Programs].
Point to [Roland MODELA] and click [MODELA
Player]. 2From the [Options] menu, click [Machines...].
The [Model Selection] dialog box appears.
3Click [MDX-20], then click [OK]. 4From the [File] menu, click [Print Setup...].
The [Print Setup] dialog box appears.
MODELA Player
5Click the drop-down arrow for the name and click
[Roland MODELA MDX-20].
Then click [OK].

16
Dr.PICZA
1Click [Start]. Point to [Roland Dr.PICZA] and click
[Dr.PICZA]. 2From the [File] menu, click [Preferences...]. The [Preferences] dialog box appears.
3Select the port where the cable is connected, then
click [OK].
If You’re Using Windows NT4.0/2000/XP
If the printer port for the Windows driver and the communica-
tion port for Dr. PICZA are set to the same port, you cannot use
Dr. PICZA.
To perform scanning, you need to temporarily set the Windows
driver printer port to a different port.
After you finish scanning, return the setting for the Windows
driver to its original value.
1Click [Start]. Point to [Roland Dr.Engrave] and click
[Dr.Engrave]. 2From the [File] menu, click [Print Setup...]. The [Print Setup] dialog box appears.
Dr.Engrave
3Click the drop-down arrow for the name and click
[Roland MODELA MDX-20]. Then click [OK].

17
1Click [Start].
Point to [Roland 3D Engrave] and click [3D
Engrave]. 2From the [Cut] menu, click [Machines...].
The [Model Selection] dialog box appears.
3Click [MDX-20], then click [OK]. 4From the [File] menu, click [Output Device Setup].
The [Print Setup] dialog box appears.
5Click the drop-down arrow for the name and click
[Roland MODELA MDX-20].
Then click [OK].
3D Engrave

18
How to Use Help
If you have trouble using the program or driver, see the help screens. Help contains information such as descriptions of software opera-
tion, explanations of commands, and tips for using the software more effectively.
When there's a [?] button on screen
Clicking [?] in the upper-right corner of the window makes
the mouse pointer change to a question mark ( ). You
can then move the pointer over any item you wish to learn
more about, then click on the item to display an explana-
tion of it.
When there's a [Help] button on
screen
Clicking [Help] lets you view help for the window or
software.
1From the [Help] menu, click [Contents]. 2Clicking on text that is green and underlined (by a
solid or dotted line) displays an explanation.
3Clicking on an image area that contains an
explanation displays the explanation.
Tip:
- When the pointer moves over green underlined
text, it changes to a pointing hand ( ).
- When the pointer moves over a location where an
explanation is included, it changes to a pointing
hand ( ).