Hi Jesse,

Yes, I used your Signet ring as a guide to make my own version for milling, so Thanks goes to you.
As part of my tests for the rotary, I wanted to see how a Signet style ring would actually come out.
Here's my Signet ring version that I used for the test.

I allow a 2mm margin on each side, this guards against the cutters coming into contact with the cones.
I figure the wax is cheaper than the cutters, so it's a cheap form of insurance against cutter damage.

Thanks for the links, that's something I'll have to try out.

Here's a photo of the rotary with the Cone Clamps holding a wax.

regards Colin

Hi Colin,

No problem at all as far as using the signet as a guide, I
uploaded the tutorial so that other MoI jewelers could experiment
with the design technique.

You have a good point about taking precautions to prevent the breakage
of tools. After I load a tool path, I tend to jog the tool to the edges of the
pattern so as to be sure it's centered on the material, but it's easy to
get distracted when you're in a hurry and break off a tool tip!

Thanks for the image of the Cone Clamps and links to the 4th axis tools.
It's always interesting to see new approaches to fixturing.

Jesse

Hey Colin, just a quick question... Your Roland, what tolerances can it handle, and what maximum sizes and materials?
It's made for just wax work in small scale for jewelry, right?

Looks like the product page is here: http://www.rolanddg.com/product/3d/3d/mdx-20_15/application.html

"The MDX-20/15 mills ABS, acrylic, woods, plaster, styrene foam, chemical wood, modeling wax, and light metals such as aluminum and brass."

Hi Elf,

The MDX-15's mechanical tolerance is 0.00625 mm/step, maximum table area is 152.4 (X) x 101.6 (Y) x 60.5 (Z) mm.
The scanner tolerance is 0.05mm.
You can mill a variety of materials on it, even soft metals like aluminium & brass, but you wouldn't do metals on a regular basis.
The Spindle motor just hasn't got the power to mill metal on a continuous basis.

It's a great little 3 axis mill as an entry point if you're only just starting out into CAD/CAM with a limited budget or a hobbyist interested in CAD/CAM.
By adding the various attachments from Fourth Axis, you can then move up a level, as your knowledge or budget improves.

Hope this helps, Colin

WOW that sounds great, how much do you have to pay for all that nice equipment?

Hi hep,

I not sure of the current prices for the Roland MDX-15, but last I seen they were about $3000.00 US.
Best to check if there's a Roland Distributor in your area or country & get the current price.
http://www.rolanddg.com/company/d-list.html
I think the Fourth Axis rotary attachment is around $1500.00 to $1600.00 US, but you'd need to check with Fourth Axis for their price.
http://www.fourth-axis.com/

regards Colin

I will check in my area, but it gave me an idea about the price, so thanks anyway.
regards Hep

Hi Everyone,

HOG (Harley Owners Group) Rally 2007 badge.
Model designed in MoI, wax milled with MDX-15, finished piece measures 38mm in length.

regards Colin

Hi Colin, ...nice vintage look.... remember to post a casting after lost-wax casting will be finished :) -Petr

Hi Petr,

This wax was milled for another Jeweller, so not sure I'll actually get to see the finished piece?
If I do, I'll post a photo of it.

regards Colin

Very nice result Colin! I love seeing these milled pieces, thanks for sharing it.

- Michael

@ Colin - Thanks for the link to Fourth Axis. I was thinking of getting a small milling system, the MX-20 plus 4th Axis might be perfect for me. I just have one question about the noise when operating. How loud is this thing? Is it reasonable to operate next to your PC and still have a telephone conversation? What about when milling aluminum or brass? I am thinking to operate in my apartment or perhaps in my office...

Thanks,
jonah

Hi Jonah,

I have an MDX-20 in my workshop, and with the original motor it was quite loud. Fourth Axis do a conversion to use a Proxxon motor which is much faster , more powerful and quieter. I still would not like to work with it right next to me if I was doing something I had to concentrate on, but a soundproof box should help.
There is an MDX users foum on Yahoo, I hope it is OK for me to put in a link.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/mdx_users/

If you go back over past postings it will tell you a lot about the machines and hints about Roland's future plans for the machines.

regards Tim.

Thanks Tim. Will check it out...
jonah

Hi Jonah,

I agree with Tim, the stock motor is very noisy & ideally better off in another room.
But with the mill in a soundproof box, that should make life a lot easier.

If you're looking at milling Aluminium & Brass on a regular basis, then invest in the Fourth Axis-Proxxon Motor conversion as Tim has already suggested.
I haven't got this particular conversion as yet, but from all accounts it's defiantly the way to go.
The big advantage with this conversion & milling wax is you're then able to use the "one tool" strategy that owners of those bigger mills use.
The stock Roland Motor just doesn't even come close to having enough power to do it.

regards Colin

Hi Everyone,

Here's a wax that I've just finished milling as a Master pattern for another Jeweller.
It's for a Bottle Opener keyring that's to be used as a promotional item.
I believe the finished units will be cast in Bronze.
All designed in MoI & milled with a Roland MDX-15 fitted with Fourth Axis rotary unit.

regards Colin

It is just so cool to see these milled parts.

Some of the pockets for the text look pretty small and narrow, but it looks like it has done a good job cutting it.

If you end up getting one of the final bronze pieces, it would be great to see that too! Thanks for sharing the pics,

- Michael

Added to the special thread Gallery :)

Hi Everyone,

In an effort to try & teach myself more on "how to do modelling" with MoI, I made this 1-1 scale Tattoo Machine.
(For what it's worth, within the Tattoo Trade these are called "Machines" & not "guns" as most usually refer)
Mostly all of this was to get a better grasp & understanding of how to use all the different tools in MoI.

The reason I chose a Tattoo Machine is that I used to be a Professional Tattoo Artist for about 20yrs after I first did my apprenticeship as a Jeweller.
Having hand made many of these Machines over those years, I thought it'd be a reasonably good challenge to do one of them in CAD.
Besides that, I've never seen one done as a model before, so figured that also was a good enough reason to try!! : )

One thing I couldn't quite get my head around was making screw threads using the Helix tool.
So of course none of my bolts have any screw threads on them! : (
If someone would like to offer up a basic Tutorial on how to go about producing a threaded bolt, I'd be very grateful.

regards Colin