Roland iModela iM-01 User manual

Note: Please refer to the information in "To Use This Machine Safely" rst.
First Step Guide
Thank you very much for purchasing the iModela (iM-01).
This machine is an all-new digital craft tool that uses a computer-controlled
rotating tool turn your ideas into reality.
We're sure you will enjoy using it!
Thank you very much for purchasing this product.
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 specications of this product are subject
to change without notice.
The operation manual and the product have been prepared and tested as much as pos-
sible. If you nd 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.
Company names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their re-
spective holders.
http://www.rolanddg.com/
R3-120622
DOC-0941
Copyright © 2011-2012 Roland DG Corporation
Included Items
The following items are included with the machine. Make sure they are all present and accounted for.
AC adapter,
power cord (1 of each) USB cable (1) Cutting tool (1) Hexagonal wrench (1) Mounting screw (5) Spare hooks (2)
Spindle motor
(replacement) (1) Blower fan (1) Maintenance grease (1
tube) Cleaning brush (1) Double-sided tape (1
package) Flathead screwdriver (1)
Cutting materials (for
trial use)
(acrylic plate, 1 mm
thick) (1)
Scrap plate (for trial use)
(polypropylene plate,
5 mm thick) (1)
Roland Software Pack-
age (1) Documentation (2)*Setting board (1)
* "To Use This Machine Safely", "First Step Guide" (this document)
Roland DG Corp. has licensed the MMP technology from theTPL Group.

Getting Started
Required Computer Specications
Operating system Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit versions)
CPU and memory Core 2 Duo or greater, 1 GB or greater
Media drive CD-ROM drive
Video card and dis-
play
1024×768 pixels, 16-bit color or greater
Visit the Roland DG web site (http://www.rolanddg.com/) for the latest information.
(*1) This software is a 32-bit application and therefore runs in WOW64 (Windows-On-
Windows 64) when running on 64-bit versions of Windows operating systems.
(*2) This software has not been tested when running in the Windows XP mode in Windows
7.
Other Documentation Provided For This Machine
The following documentation is included with the machine in addition to
this document.
iModela (iM-01) Master Guide (PDF)
This guide contains detailed explanations of the machine's features, mainte-
nance methods, and troubleshooting information. It is a part of the included
Roland Software Package.
NC Code Reference Manual (PDF)
Read this manual when you want to perform NC code programming. It is a
part of the included Roland Software Package.
Assembly and Software Installation
Step 1: Assembly

Turn the main unit upright and lock it with the hooks.
v
Attach the front and rear covers.
w
Attach the side covers.
x
Close all covers.
Step 2: Connecting the Cables
Things you will need
AC adapter, power cord
(1 of each) USB cable (1)
WARNING
Do not use this machine with a power supply that does
not meet the ratings displayed on the AC adapter.
Doing so may lead to re or electrical shock.
WARNING
Do not use AC adapters or power cords other
than those that are included with the machine.
Doing so may lead to re or electrical shock.
WARNING
Handle the AC adapter, power cord, plug, and electrical outlet
correctly and with care. Never use any damaged items.
Using damaged items may lead to re or electrical shock.
WARNING
When using extension cords or power strips, make
sure they are rated higher than the machine's
ratings for voltage, frequency, and amperage.
There is a risk of re when many loads are connected to one
electrical outlet or when using long extension cords.
Step 3: Turning the Machine On
Press the power button.
Initialization begins. When
the green lamp switches from
ashing to on, the initialization
has nished.
Step 4: Installing the Software
Things you will need
Roland Software Package (1)
Software that will be installed
iModela Creator Used to create output data.
iModela Controller Used to control the machine, confirm operation status, perform
maintenance, etc.
iModela Driver
Driver software required for sending data from the computer to the machine.
iModela Manuals Displays the Master Guide and the NC Code Reference Guide.
Virtual Modela
Used to view a 3D preview of data created with iModela Creator and
conrm the result of the process before actually cutting.
SFEdit2
Used to extract the center line of fonts in order to create designs that use letters.
Do not connect to the PC at this time.
If you connect the cables to the PC, you may not be able to install theWindows
driver. Connect the cables to the PC when you install the software.
Included
Items Retainer
Setting board

1.
Installing the Software

Before installing the software, make sure that the machine and
computer are not yet connected via USB.
v
Insert the Roland Software Package CD-ROM into the computer.
When using Windows Vista or Windows 7: Click [Run menu.exe] if the
autoplay screen is displayed. If the [User Account Control] screen is dis-
played, click [Allow] or [Yes] to continue with the installation.
After a few moments, the installation menu is displayed.
w
Click [Install].
Select [Install], select [Ro-
land iM-01] as the model
name, select [USB] as the
port, and then click [Start].
Driver installation starts. Follow
the on-screen instructions and
continue with the installation.
When using Windows Vista or Windows 7
If the screen shown here is dis-
played, click [Install this driver
software anyway].
When using Windows XP
If the screen shown here is
displayed, click [Continue Any-
way].
x
Follow the on-screen instructions and continue with the installation.
Installation information for each software item will be displayed auto-
matically as needed.
y
When installation is complete, click in the installation menu.
z
Eject and remove the CD-ROM.
2.
Conguring iModela

Connect the machine and the computer with a USB cable.
Please use the included USB cable.
Do not use a USB hub.
When using Windows Vista or Windows 7
The driver will be installed automatically.
When using Windows XP
Click [Custom Install], you can install software separately. You can also
install optional softwares, MODELA Player4 etc. For information on the
method of installation, refer to the "iModela Master Guide".
Initial Cutting
Use the sample data to create a clover.
The gray area of the cutting material will be cut.
Step 1: Run-In
First, perform a run-in. If this is the first time that you have used this
machine, if this machine has not been used for a long time, or if the machine
is being used in a low temperature environment, you must perform a run-in.
1.
Procedure

Start iModela Controller, which is used to control the machine.
On the taskbar, click [Start], [All
Programs], [iModela Controller],
and then [iModelaController].
v
Click in the order shown
left.
Click in the top-left
of the screen.
Click [Maintenance].
Click the [Conrm] tab.
w
Click [Start] next to Idling.
The operation takes approxi-
mately 10 minutes.
x
Click [OK] when the screen
shown below is displayed.
y
Click on the maintenance screen.
Step 2: Loading the cutting tool and the cutting material
Things you will need
Cutting tool (1)
Hexagonal wrench (1) Mounting screw (1) Blower fan (1)
Double-sided
tape (1 pack-
age)
Cutting materi-
als (for trial use)
(acrylic plate,
1 mm thick) (1)
Scrap plate
(for trial use)
(
polypropylene plate,
5 mm thick
) (1)
CAUTION Be careful not to injure yourself when you
handle the sharp edges of the cutting tool.
When performing a run-in, make sure that the cutting tool and
cutting material are disengaged. If the cutting tool and cutting
material are not disengaged, an undesired area may be cut.
Click [Continue Anyway].
Select [No, not this time]
and click [Next].
Select [Install the software
automatically] and click [Next].
Click [Finish].
Eject and remove the CD-ROM,
and then click [Back] and repeat
from the last screen.
If the following screen is
displayed during instal-
lation

2.
Afx the cutting material.

Afx the double-sided tape.
Peel the protective film off both sides of the trial-use cutting material,
align the cutting material with the scrap plate and double-sided tape, and
ax them.
v
Afx the cutting material to the workpiece table.
Refer to the gure and ax the cutting material.
After you have axed the work, check that the cutting material cannot be
easily moved from its position.
w
Return the unit to its original state.
Raise the main unit back into place, x it in place with the hooks, and then
close the front, rear, and side panels.
Step 3: Setting the Cutting Origin
Set the X, Y, and Z cutting origins (the cutting reference position of which X, Y,
and Z coordinates are “0”).
Before setting the XYZ origin point, click the cursor buttons and conrm the
movement for each axis.
1.
Prepare to set the origin point.

Select "Machine Coordinate System."
Z
Y
X
Origin
1.
Mount the cutting tool.

Click the [View] in iModela Controller.
The spindle head moves to the center, and the workpiece table moves to
the front.
v
Open the unit.
Open the front, rear, and side covers. Slowly push the main unit down
onto its back.
w
Insert the cutting tool into the collet as far as it will go.
x
Fix the cutting tool in place.
Use a hexagonal wrench (included item) to insert the mounting screw,
thereby fixing the tool in place. If you cannot see the mounting screw
hole, slightly turn the collet by hand.
* Do not use a L-shaped hexagonal wrench with which the screw may be
overtighten.
* The generally called “Ultra hard cutter” includes an extremely hard bit and
the portion made of steel which is gripped by the collet. As steel has low
hardness, overtightening the mounting screw may cause damage to the
cutter. The damaged cutter is likely to get caught in the collet, making the
cutter dicult to be removed.
* After cutting is nished, maintenance of a cutter is required. Please refer to
the page "Maintenance of the Cutting Tool" of "iModela (iM-01) MASTER
GUIDE."
y
Mount the blower fan on the cutting tool.
While being careful of the sharp edge, insert the blower fan as far as it will
go.
Turn the hexagonal wrench clockwise until the mounting screw touches the
cutter. Then turn the wrench by about 15 degrees to secure the cutter in place.
Tightening the screw further may cause damage to the cutter, making the cutter
dicult to be removed from the collet.
Collet
Cutting
tool
Cutting
material
Protective
lm
Double-sided tape
Protective
lm
Scrap plate
Double-sided tape

v
Click the "X/Y" origin button under "Move."
The spindle head and the workpiece table move, and the coordinates for X,
Y, and Z each become "0.00 mm."
If you click "Z" and then click "X/Y," after moving to the "0.00 mm" position
for the Z coordinates, they move to the "0.00 mm" position for the X and Y
coordinates.
w
Select "User Coordinate System."
If "0.00 mm" is not displayed for X, Y, and Z, click the origin setting "X/Y"
and "Z" buttons.
2.
Set the Z origin point.

Click the [X] and [Y] cursor buttons to move the cutter above
the cutting material.
v
Click the [-Z] cursor button to lower the cutter to the position of
which Z coordinate is "- 20.00 mm."
By selecting the cursor movement amount to "x100," "x10," or "x1," you
can adjust the precision of the cursor movement.
w
Loosen the mounting screw. The tip of the cutting tool should
make contact with the surface of the cutting material.
Once contact is made, secure the cutting tool again by tightening the
mounting screw.
x
Conrm that "User Coordinate System" is selected under Set
Origin Point, and then click the "Z" origin point setting.
The Z origin point is set, and "Z 0.00 mm" is displayed.
y
Click the "+Z" cursor button to raise the cutting tool.
Next, you will move the cutting tool in the X and Y directions. Raise the
cutting tool to a position where it is not located over the cutting material.
3.
Set the XY origin point.

Click the "X" and "Y" cursor buttons and move each to "5.00
mm" units.
By setting the cursor movement amount to "x100," "x10," or "x1," you can
adjust the precision of the cursor movement.
v
Click [X/Y] under Set Origin Point.
The XY origin points are set, and "X 0.00 mm" and "Y 0.00 mm" are dis-
played.
Step 4: Starting Cutting
This procedure describes how to cut using the sample data.
From here, carry out the work by following the instructions found in "Tuto-
rial 1" in the iModela Creator help le.
Refer to the following procedure for information on starting iModela Creator
and displaying the help le.
Procedure

Start iModela Creator.
On the taskbar, click [Start], [All Programs], [iModela Creator], and then
[iModela Creator].
v
Click [Help] - [Contents].
WARNING Do not leave the machine unattended during
cutting.
Due to the cutting tool and workpiece surface
heated to high temperature, the workpiece
surface may be burned or burnt smell may be
generated.

w
Click [Tutorial 1].
Refer to Tutorial 1 in the help le and cut the sample "clover" data. When
cutting is nished, refer to Tutorial 2 and use iModela Creator to paint the
clover.
Step 5: Shutting Down the Machine
Procedure

Click in iModela Controller and iModela Creator.
The programs close.
v
Press the power button.
When the green lamp turns o, the machine has shut down.
w
Clean the machine.
Refer to the information about maintenance found in the electronic man-
ual "iModela (iM-01) Master Guide."
Making Other Items
For those who wish to explore iModela more, additional sample data is avail-
able for download.
Feel free to add to or modify this data and use it to make your own original
items.
http://icreate.rolanddg.com/