Roland MODELA MDX-50 User manual

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User's Manual

Company names and product names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.
http://www.rolanddg.com/
Copyright © 2016-2017 Roland DG Corporation
Roland DG Corporation has licensed the MMP technology from theTPL Group.

1
Contents
Contents........................................................................................................1
1. Built-in Panel Operation (Basic).....................................................................3
Built-in Panel Screen and Functions .............................................................4
What Is the Built-in Panel?............................................................................................................. 4
Built-in Panel Function List ........................................................................................................... 5
2. VPanel Operation (Basic)................................................................................6
VPanel Basic Operation ................................................................................7
What Is VPanel? ................................................................................................................................. 7
Displaying VPanel............................................................................................................................. 7
VPanel Display in the Task Tray.................................................................................................... 8
Exiting VPanel .................................................................................................................................... 8
Top Window...................................................................................................9
Top Window........................................................................................................................................ 9
3. Cutting (One Side Cutting)............................................................................11
Performing an Emergency Stop on This Machine.......................................12
Emergency Stop..............................................................................................................................12
Emergency Stop or Pause Due to Opening or Closing the Cover ..............13
Emergency Stop Due to Opening or Closing the Cover...................................................13
Pause Due to Opening or Closing the Cover........................................................................14
Machine Statuses Indicated by Status Light Color......................................15
What Is the Status Light? .............................................................................................................15
1. Checking the Cutting Area ......................................................................16
Cuttable Workpiece (Cutting Material) Size..........................................................................16
2. Items Necessary for Cutting....................................................................17
Cutter..................................................................................................................................................17
Workpiece (Cutting Material).....................................................................................................17
Scrap Board.......................................................................................................................................17
3. Cutting.....................................................................................................18
Step 1 : Preparing the Tool Bur ..................................................................................................18
Step 2 : Loading the Tool Bur on the Machine .....................................................................20
Step 3 : Mounting the Workpiece on the Machine ............................................................21
Step 4 : Setting the XY Origin.....................................................................................................22
Step 5 : Setting the Z Origin (Using the Z0 Sensor) ...........................................................24
Step 6 : Outputting Cutting Data .............................................................................................27
Adjusting the Feeding Speed/Spindle Rotating Speed during Cutting.....................28
4. Maintenance ...................................................................................................29
Maintenance Precautions............................................................................30
Maintenance Precautions............................................................................................................30
Daily Maintenance.......................................................................................31
Cleaning after Cutting Finishes .................................................................................................31
Periodic Maintenance..................................................................................33
Situations Requiring Maintenance...........................................................................................33
Replacing Consumable Parts .....................................................................................................33
Spindle Run-in (Warm-up) ..........................................................................................................34
Correcting the Cutting Machine (Automatic Correction) ................................................35
Retightening the Collet................................................................................................................37
5. Built-in Panel Operation (Practical Use) ............................................................................... 40
Built-in Panel Functions ..............................................................................41
Using Hand-wheel Operations to Move the Tool Bur (Hand-wheel Feed).................41
Quickly Moving to a Specic Position.....................................................................................42
Changing the Coordinate System ............................................................................................43
Starting and Stopping Spindle Rotation................................................................................44
Setting the Origin...........................................................................................................................44

2
Contents
Setting the Z Origin Using the Z0 Sensor..............................................................................44
Operation of the Tool Bur Replacement Function (Auto Tool Changer) ..................45
How to Set Overrides ....................................................................................................................46
Checking Job/Tool Bur Information during Cutting..........................................................46
Pausing/Resuming/Canceling Cutting ...................................................................................47
Recovering from Errors.................................................................................................................48
Turning O the Status Lights during Cutting.......................................................................49
Changing the Blower Strength during Cutting...................................................................49
6. VPanel Operation (Practical Use).................................................................50
"Settings" Dialog Box.............................................................................51
"Preferences" Tab ............................................................................................................................51
"Machine" Tab ..................................................................................................................................51
"Correction" Tab ..............................................................................................................................52
"Origin" Tab.......................................................................................................................................53
"Maintenance" Tab .........................................................................................................................55
"Mail" Tab...........................................................................................................................................56
"Operation" Tab...............................................................................................................................57
"NC code setting" Dialog Box.....................................................................................................58
"Attach/detach tool" Dialog Box..............................................................................................59
"Sensing Z origin" Dialog Box ....................................................................................................59
"Spindle maintenance" Dialog Box..........................................................................................60
"Automatic correction" Dialog Box ..........................................................................................60
"Manual correction" Dialog Box................................................................................................61
"Move to user specied location" Dialog Box ......................................................................62
"Cutter management" Dialog Box..........................................................63
"Cutter management" Dialog Box............................................................................................63
"Cutter registration" Dialog Box................................................................................................64
"Cut" Dialog Box ....................................................................................66
"Cut" Dialog Box..............................................................................................................................66
"Test cut" Dialog Box .....................................................................................................................67
7. Troubleshooting.............................................................................................68
Machine/VPanel Problems..........................................................................69
The Power Does Not Turn On.....................................................................................................69
Initial Operations Are Not Performed or Fail ........................................................................69
VPanel Doesn't Start Correctly...................................................................................................69
Operations Are Ignored................................................................................................................70
Detection with the Z0 Sensor Fails...........................................................................................70
Automatic Correction Fails..........................................................................................................71
Abnormal Cutting Is Performed................................................................................................71
When the Machine Stops with the Tool Bur Inserted in the Workpiece.....................71
No Data Can Be Output to the Machine or the Machine Does Not Operate Even Though Data Is Being Output.... 72
Misaligned Origins .........................................................................................................................72
Quality Problems.........................................................................................73
The Cutting Results Are Not Attractive...................................................................................73
Installation Problems...................................................................................74
Installing the Driver Separately.................................................................................................74
Installing the Software and the Electronic-format Manuals Separately.....................76
Driver Installation Is Impossible................................................................................................77
Uninstalling the Driver .................................................................................................................78
Uninstalling VPanel........................................................................................................................79
An Error Message Appears .........................................................................80
8. NC Code Specications ................................................................................87
NC Code Specications ..............................................................................88
List of Settings Related to NC Codes .......................................................................................88
Interpretations When NC Codes Are Omitted......................................................................89
List of Words Supported by This Machine .............................................................................90

3
Built-in Panel Screen and Functions ....................4
What Is the Built-in Panel? ......................................................4
Built-in Panel Function List ......................................................5
1. Built-in Panel Operation (Basic)

41. Built-in Panel Operation (Basic)
What Is the Built-in Panel?
The built-in panel contains the frequently used functions.You can use it to perform operations while checking the machine's
internal behavior.
"P. 5 "Built-in Panel Function List"
Display Screen (Top Window)
The value displayed
here is the currently set
spindle rotation speed
with the override taken
into account.
This displays the currently
selected coordinate system.
The coordinate system is
related to the display of the
tool bur position and to the
origin setting.
This displays the current tool
bur position.
The item being operated by
the hand-wheel is indicated
by the " ."
This displays the hand-
wheel feed precision.
This displays the cur-
rent spindle load.
This displays the
feeding speed over-
ride value.
This displays the
spindle override value.
Operation Keys
Part Name Details Notation used in this
docuRment
X Y Z A
Axis selection
keys
Select the axis to use as the target for
hand-wheel feed and origin settings.
Use the [A] key when the optional
rotary axis unit is attached.
[X] [Y] [Z] [A]
RATE
Rate key Select the level of precision of the
hand-wheel feed. Lower scaling fac-
tors produce correspondingly slower
movement, enabling you to accom-
plish precise positioning.
[RATE]
COORD.
SYSTEM
Coordinate
system selec-
tion key
Press this key to change the coordi-
nate system. The coordinate system
is related to the display of the tool
bur position and to the origin setting.
[COORD.SYSTEM]
ORIGIN
Origin setting
key
Hold down this key to set the origin
to the current tool bur position of the
selected axis.
[ORIGIN]
SPINDLE
Spindle key Start and stop the rotation of the
spindle. Tap this key to select the
spindle, and hold down this key to
rotate the spindle.
[SPINDLE]
Built-in Panel Screen and Functions

5
Built-in Panel Screen and Functions
1. Built-in Panel Operation (Basic)
Part Name Details Notation used in this
docuRment
OVER
RIDE
Override key Select the feeding speed override and
the spindle rotating speed override. [OVER RIDE]
MENU
Menu key Call up the submenu.
[MENU]
SENSE
Z0 Z0 sensor key Use this key when you use a Z0 sensor
to set the Z origin. [Z0 SENSE]
PAUSE/
CANCEL
Pause/cancel
key
Pauses and resumes cutting. When
you press this key with cutting paused,
you will be given the option of resum-
ing or canceling cutting.
[PAUSE/CANCEL]
ENTER
Enter key Conrms operations.
[ENTER]
Hand-wheel Set the hand-wheel feed for each axis
and increase/decrease setting values.
Built-in Panel Function List
CAUTION: Never operate the built-in panel and VPanel simultaneously.
Function Page
"Using Hand-wheel Operations to Move the Tool Bur (Hand-wheel Feed)" P.41
"Quickly Moving to a Specic Position" P.42
"Changing the Coordinate System" P.43
"Starting and Stopping Spindle Rotation" P.44
"Setting the Origin" P.44
"Setting the Z Origin Using the Z0 Sensor" P.44
"Operation of the Tool Bur Replacement Function (Auto Tool Changer)" P.45
"How to Set Overrides" P.46
"Checking Job/Tool Bur Information during Cutting" P.46
"Pausing/Resuming/Canceling Cutting" P.47
"Recovering from Errors" P.48
"Turning O the Status Lights during Cutting" P.49
"Changing the Blower Strength during Cutting" P.49

6
2. VPanel Operation (Basic)
VPanel Basic Operation .......................................7
What Is VPanel?......................................................................7
Displaying VPanel....................................................................7
VPanel Display in the Task Tray ..............................................8
Exiting VPanel .........................................................................8
Top Window..........................................................9
Top Window .............................................................................9

7
2. VPanel Operation (Basic)
VPanel Basic Operation
What Is VPanel?
VPanel is an application that can be used to operate this
cutting machine from a computer screen. It has functions
for outputting cutting data, performing maintenance,
and making various corrections. It also displays informa-
tion such as the cutting machine status and errors.
"Setup Guide" ("Installing the Software")
Displaying VPanel
Click (the VPanel icon) in the task tray on
the desktop.
The top window ofVPanel will appear. If you cannot
nd in the task tray, start the program from the
Windows [Start]screen (or the [Start]menu).
Starting from the Windows [Start] Screen (or [Start] Menu)
Windows 10 and 7
From the [Start] menu, click [All apps] (or [All Programs]), [VPanel for MDX-50], and then click
[VPanel for MDX-50].
Windows 8.1
Click on the [Start] screen, and then from the Apps screen, click the [VPanel for MDX-50] icon
under [VPanel for MDX-50].
It is useful to set VPanel as resident software.
VPanel is a piece of resident software that is constantly working to manage the cutting machine and send e-mails.* It is
useful to congure VPanel so that it starts automatically when the computer starts. (P. 57""Operation" Tab")Clicking
the Close button ( ) in the upper right of the top window will minimize the window to the task tray. The window will
disappear from the screen, but the program will not be exited. While VPanel is running, is constantly displayed in
the task tray.
* E-mails are sent to notify the user of cutting completion or errors that occur. (P. 56""Mail" Tab")

8
VPanel Basic Operation
2. VPanel Operation (Basic)
VPanel Display in the Task Tray
When theVPanel icon is displayed in the task tray, the status of the connected cutting machine is always monitored.The display
of the VPanel icon changes depending on the status of the cutting machine. The meanings of the displays are shown below.
Indicates that the cutting machine is on (is online).
Indicates that the cutting machine is o.
Indicates that an error has occurred on the cutting machine.
Messages are displayed automatically if an error occurs, during cutting, and in similar
situations. Even after the message disappears, if you hover the mouse pointer over this
icon, the status of the machine (such as Ready, Cutting, Finished, Completed, or Oine)
will be displayed.
Exiting VPanel
Right-click in the task tray, and then click [Exit].
MEMO
Even if you click the Close button ([x]) to close the top
window, you will not exit VPanel.

9
2. VPanel Operation (Basic)
Top Window
Top Window
The top window is used to display the status of the cutting machine, to set operations, and to manage jobs. Use the ma-
chine's built-in panel for operations that are directly connected to the running of the machine such as moving tool burs and
adjusting override values.
P. 4"What Is the Built-in Panel?"
No. Item Details
Performs window operations and displays the version.
Coordinate sys-
tem
Select the coordinate system to display for [X], [Y], and [Z].
RML-1: "Machine coordinate system" or "User coordinate system"
NC: "Machine coordinate system," "EXOFS," or "G54" to "G59"
This displays the current position (coordinate value) of each axis. The display unit can be
changed.
Display digits: 0.01 [mm]
P. 51"Unit"
This displays the current position (rotation angle) of the rotary axis. This is only enabled
when the (optional) rotary axis unit is attached.
Display digits: 0.01 [deg]
This displays the current feeding speed.
Unit: [mm/min]
This displays the currently set spindle rotating speed. Use the machine's panel to start
and stop rotation and to adjust the rotating speed.
The current cutting load is displayed as a bar graph. As the load increases, the bars become
larger and the color shifts from blue to yellow and from yellow to red.
Status
This displays the current operation status of the machine. The displayed details change
depending on CAM.
Items: Command set, operation status, tool bur number, cutting time, error
Override This displays the override setting values. Use the built-in panel to change the settings.

10
Top Window
2. VPanel Operation (Basic)
No. Item Details
Rotary axis unit
This displays the connection and automatic correction statuses of the rotary axis unit. The
color changes to gray (the base color) when the unit is not connected, to red when the
unit is connected, and to blue when automatic correction is complete.
Z0 sensor This displays the connection status of the Z0 sensor. The color changes to gray (the base
color) when the sensor is not connected and to green when the sensor is connected.
Congures the operation settings of the cutting machine. The "Settings" dialog box ap-
pears.When the machine is oine, you can only select the [Environment], [Maintenance],
and [Notication] tabs on the "Settings" dialog box.
P. 47 ""Settings" Dialog Box"
Manages tool burs. The "Cutter management" dialog box appears.
P. 63""Cutter management" Dialog Box"
Outputs the cutting job. The "Cut" dialog box appears.
P. 66""Cut" Dialog Box"
Pauses cutting. Click this when cutting is paused to resume cutting.
Cutting will be canceled.
The blue part of the circle graph indicates the cutting progress. The remaining cutting
time is shown inside the circle.

11
3. Cutting (One Side Cutting)
Performing an Emergency Stop on This Machine... 12
Emergency Stop ....................................................................12
Emergency Stop or Pause Due to Opening or Closing the Cover ..13
Emergency Stop Due to Opening or Closing the Cover ........13
Pause Due to Opening or Closing the Cover.........................14
Machine Statuses Indicated by Status Light Color ..15
What Is the Status Light?.......................................................15
1. Checking the Cutting Area..............................16
Cuttable Workpiece (Cutting Material) Size...........................16
2. Items Necessary for Cutting ...........................17
Cutter.....................................................................................17
Workpiece (Cutting Material) .................................................17
Scrap Board...........................................................................17
3. Cutting ............................................................18
Step 1 : Preparing the Tool Bur..............................................18
Step 2 : Loading the Tool Bur on the Machine.......................20
Step 3 : Mounting the Workpiece on the Machine .................21
Step 4 : Setting the XY Origin................................................22
Step 5 : Setting the Z Origin (Using the Z0 Sensor) ..............24
Step 6 : Outputting Cutting Data............................................27
Adjusting the Feeding Speed/Spindle Rotating Speed during Cutting.. 28

12 3. Cutting (One Side Cutting)
Performing an Emergency Stop on This Machine
Emergency Stop
When you press the emergency stop button, operation stops immediately.
Canceling an Emergency Stop
Procedure
A Switch off the power switch.
B Turn the button in the direction of the arrows.
C Switch on the power switch.

13
3. Cutting (One Side Cutting)
Emergency Stop or Pause Due to Opening or Closing the Cover
Emergency Stop Due to Opening or Closing the Cover
To ensure safety, opening the front cover or the dust box cover during cutting or spindle rotation causes this machine to
perform an emergency stop. Follow the displayed messages to cancel the emergency stop.
Canceling an Emergency Stop
Procedure
A When you close the cover, a message is displayed on the built-in panel.
Example) Example)
B When a screen is displayed asking you to select either "Continue" or "Abort Cutting," select and
then press [ENTER].
The selection screen may not be displayed. In that situation, press [ENTER].
Important
When an emergency stop occurs due to the cover being opened during cutting, selecting "Continue" to
continue cutting may affect the cutting results.
If you want to open the cover during cutting
If you want to open the cover during cutting, press [PAUSE/CANCEL] to pause the cutting, wait for the
operations to stop, and then open the cover. However, when you have disabled the "Tool up in pause"
function in VPanel, the spindle will not pause. Before opening the cover, hold down [SPINDLE] on the built-in
panel to stop the spindle.
"P.51 ""Machine" Tab"

14
Emergency Stop or Pause Due to Opening or Closing the Cover
3. Cutting (One Side Cutting)
Pause Due to Opening or Closing the Cover
To ensure safety, opening the front cover or the dust box cover during standby, when operations are paused, or in other
situations when the spindle is not rotating will cause the machine to pause its operations and display a message. When you
clear the message using the following procedure, the machine will return to the previous screen.
Canceling a Pause
Procedure
A A message is displayed on the built-in panel.
B Close the cover, and then press [ENTER].
The machine returns to the state that it was in prior to the cover being opened. If the machine was performing
automatic correction or Z0 sensing, it completes the operation and moves to the view position.

15
3. Cutting (One Side Cutting)
Machine Statuses Indicated by Status Light Color
What Is the Status Light?
Lights are installed inside this machine. The color of the lights changes depending on the status of the machine. You can
also turn o the lights during cutting.
"P.49 "Turning Off the Status Lights during Cutting"
Blue
Lit The machine is in standby.
Flashing Initialization is in progress.
White
Lit The machine is cutting or a cover has been opened.
Flashing Cutting warm up is in progress.
Yellow Lit
An error for which it is possible to resume cutting occurred. The machine has
paused.
Check the error details shown on the built-in panel or in VPanel.
P.80 "An Error Message Appears"
Red
Lit
An error for which it is not possible to resume cutting occurred. Cutting will stop.
Check the error details shown on the built-in panel or in VPanel.
P.80 "An Error Message Appears"
Flashing An error for which it is not possible to resume cutting occurred. Cutting will stop.
Turn o the power, and then restart the machine.
Off The status lights are o.

16 3. Cutting (One Side Cutting)
Cuttable Workpiece (Cutting Material) Size
XY Directions
Z Direction
1. Checking the Cutting Area
305 mm (12.01 in.)
(Y-axis operating range)
Spindle head bot-
tom surface
Table surface
130 mm
(5.12 in.) 100 mm (3.94 in.)*
Workpiece
* Note that a distance exceeding 100 mm (3.94 in.) may lead to interference with the tool bur.
* When using a scrap board, ensure that the distance from the table (including the thickness of
the scrap board) is 100 mm (3.94 in.) or less.
"P.17 "Scrap Board"
400 mm (15.75 in.)
(X-axis operating range)
Table

17
3. Cutting (One Side Cutting)
2. Items Necessary for Cutting
Cutter
Select a tool bur matched to the purpose. We recommend that you use the tool burs selectively to match dierent work
processes (such as roughing and nishing). Contact your authorized Roland DG Corp. dealer or visit the Roland DG Corp.
website (http://www.rolanddg.com/) to purchase tool burs.
Loadable Tool Bur Conditions
* 30 to 80 mm (1.18 to 3.15 in.) when using a rotary axis (optional)
Workpiece (Cutting Material)
There is a wide variety of workpieces. Use workpieces selectively according to the object to create.
* Never use this machine to cut metal.
Scrap Board
A scrap board is a board that is placed under the workpiece when cutting it so that the table is not cut. It is used as a temporary,
subsidiary material in situations such as when cutting out the workpiece and when drilling holes for positioning when cutting.
Scrap board
Workpiece
Table
P.18 "Step 1 : Preparing the Tool Bur"
3, 4, 6 mm or 0.125, 0.25 in.
30 to 90 mm (1.18 to 3.54 in.)*

18 3. Cutting (One Side Cutting)
WARNING Do not inadvertently touch the computer or the built-in panel while performing this
task.
Unintended operation of the machine may lead to you being caught in the machine.
Step 1 : Preparing the Tool Bur
Required Items
Tool bur Tool holder * Mounting screw Tool positioner Hexagonal screw-
driver
* For attachable tool, refer to the " Setup Guide"
The tool holder to use differs depending on the shank diameter of the tool bur.
Shank diameter
Shank diameter
Procedure
A Load the tool holder in the tool positioner.
Place the tool positioner by aligning the holes as shown in the following gure.
Shank diameter
3. Cutting
Orient the tool
holder so that
the side with
the plastic
sheet faces up.
Plastic sheet
mm specications : 6 mm
inch specications : 0.25 in. mm specications : 3, 4 mm
inch specications : 0.125 in.