Overview
The Roland DE-3 is a desktop rotary engraver for awards and trophies, nameplates, signage, personalised gifts and industrial marking. Its spindle turns at up to 20,000 rpm and works across a 305 × 230 mm table with up to 40 mm of material height, cutting into brass, aluminium, copper, engraving plastics, acrylic and wood.
The DE-3 builds on Roland's EGX-350 and is sold under Roland DG's DGSHAPE engraving brand. A laser pointer previews every job on the workpiece and automatic Z control keeps the engraving depth even, so set-up is quicker and fewer blanks are wasted.
Laser Pointer Preview
Before cutting, the laser pointer traces the tool path or marks the four corners of the engraving area on the workpiece, and Dr. Engrave Plus adds a point preview for any position in your design. You can see exactly where the engraving will land and set the position at the touch of a button.
Automatic Z Control and Depth Regulator Nose
With the spindle head unlocked, the depth regulator nose rides on the surface and automatic Z control sets the depth origin for you. Engraving stays at a uniform depth even on gently wavy surfaces (about 1 mm of undulation). A resin nose cone protects materials that scratch easily; a metal cone suits harder surfaces.
High-Speed, Low Run-Out Spindle
A brushless DC motor drives the spindle from 5,000 to 20,000 rpm. Cutter run-out, which affects engraving quality, vibration and noise, has been greatly reduced, and a rotating flange keeps cutting dust out of the spindle.
Cutters for Metal, Plastic and Acrylic
Roland offers character cutters for plastics, chemical wood and modelling wax, dedicated cutters for aluminium, brass and copper and for acrylic, parallel cutters for even-width lines and surfacing, and a diamond scraper for scribing polished light metals without spindle rotation.
Handy Panel Control
A separate handy panel lets you run the machine from where you can see the workpiece and tool clearly. Select spindle speed and other settings without a computer, and keep track of spindle running hours for maintenance.
Dr. Engrave Plus Software Included
Dr. Engrave Plus imports Adobe Illustrator files, edits shapes, fills areas, levels surfaces and drills holes. Its layout tool imports Excel and CSV files for name tags, serial numbers and other variable-data jobs. The DE-3 uses RML-1 commands and connects by USB or Ethernet.
Enclosed and Safe Operation
A full front cover with a double-switch interlock and an emergency stop button come as standard. The enclosed design, with its vacuum adapter for dust collection, keeps engraving clean in offices, classrooms and workshops.
Applications
- Awards, trophies and plaques crisp text and graphics on plates and plaques, without the surface burning a laser engraver can leave
- Personalised gifts and jewellery names and designs on gold, silver and other high-value metals
- Nameplates and industrial marking tool marking, nameplates and safety signs in metal and plastic
- Signage engraved signs and badges in plastic, metal and wood
- Glass and acrylic scribed names and graphics on glass and acrylic items
- Serial numbers and name tags variable-data engraving from Excel or CSV files
- Plastics and PCBs engraving plastics and composite materials, including PCB circuit boards
Specifications
| Model | DE-3 | |
| Table size | Width × Depth | 305 × 230 mm (12.0 × 9.1 in.) |
| X, Y and Z operation strokes | 305 × 230 × 40 mm (12.0 × 9.1 × 1.6 in.) | |
| X-, Y- and Z-axis drive system | Stepping motor (3-axis simultaneous control) | |
| Operating speed | X, Y-axis | 0.1 to 60 mm/sec. (0.004 to 2.4 in./sec.) |
| Z-axis | 0.1 to 30 mm/sec. (0.004 to 1.2 in./sec.) | |
| Software resolution | 0.01 mm/step (0.00039 in./step) | |
| Mechanical resolution | XYZ-axis | 0.00125 mm/step |
| Spindle motor | Brushless DC motor | |
| Spindle rotating speed | 5,000 to 20,000 rpm | |
| Tool chuck | Cutter holder, collet method | |
| Loadable workpiece thickness | Maximum 40 mm (1.6 in.) (38 mm (1.5 in.) when nose unit is used) | |
| Interface | USB, Ethernet (10BASE-T/100BASE-TX, automatic switching) | |
| Expansion port | 3.5 mm (miniature) stereo connector | |
| Control command set | RML-1 | |
| Power supply | Voltage and frequency | AC 100 V to 240 V ±10%, 50/60 Hz (overvoltage category: II, IEC 60664-1) |
| Current rating | 1.0 A | |
| Power consumption | 80 W | |
| Acoustic noise level | During operation | 63 dB (A) or less (when not cutting) |
| During standby | 40 dB (A) or less | |
| Dimensions | Width × Depth × Height | 616 × 587 × 390 mm (24.3 × 23.1 × 15.4 in.) |
| Weight | 35 kg (77.2 lb.) | |
| Installation environment | Indoor use at altitudes up to 2,000 m (6,562 feet) | |
| Temperature | 5 to 40 °C (41 to 104 °F) | |
| Humidity | 35 to 80% (no condensation) | |
| Ambient pollution degree | 2 (as specified by IEC 60664-1) | |
| Software | DGSHAPE Software Package: Dr. Engrave Plus, engraver driver, SFEdit2 | |
| Accessories | Power cord, power plug adapter, USB cable, nose unit (nose cone resin/metal), nose unit retainer (retaining screw, spring), spare tool retaining screw (for the cutter holder), character cutter (ɸ3.175 mm (ɸ0.125 in.)), solid collet (ɸ3.175 mm (ɸ0.125 in.)), wrench, hexagonal wrench, hexagonal screwdriver, adhesive sheet, vacuum adapter, DGSHAPE Software Package CD, and Setup Guide | |
| Options | ZV-23CS centre vise, ZTT-35 T-slot table (292 × 220 mm, 3 clamps), ZS-35S replacement spindle, DN-500R resin nose cone, ZC-E436 collet (ɸ4.36 mm), ZC-23 tip-split collet set | |
| Periodic replacement parts | Life expectancy | Spindle unit 2,000 h; spindle belt 2,000 h; spindle motor 8,000 h |
FAQ
What materials can the DE-3 engrave?
Roland lists brass, aluminium, copper, gold, silver, engraving plastics, acrylic, chemical wood, wood and PCB circuit boards, and the DE-3 can scribe names and graphics on glass. Choose the cutter to suit the material: character cutters for plastics, dedicated cutters for aluminium and brass or for acrylic, and the diamond scraper for scribing polished light metals.
Can it engrave uneven or slightly curved surfaces at an even depth?
Yes, within limits. With the depth regulator nose fitted and the spindle head unlocked, automatic Z control follows gentle undulations of about 1 mm and keeps the cutting depth uniform. The nose is not suited to wide fill areas or large text, where it can drop into the engraved area and leave a stepped pattern. Using the nose reduces the maximum workpiece thickness from 40 mm to 38 mm.
What software do I need?
The DE-3 comes with the DGSHAPE Software Package, including Dr. Engrave Plus, the engraver driver and SFEdit2. Dr. Engrave Plus imports Adobe Illustrator files and Excel or CSV data for batches of name plates and serial numbers. The machine uses RML-1 commands and Roland says it works with popular engraving software.
I have an EGX-350. What changes with the DE-3?
The DE-3 adds laser pointer path and area preview, LAN connection, Dr. Engrave Plus software, a new nose cone that reduces scratches and an improved vacuum adapter for dust collection, and it meets the latest safety standard. Existing jigs, vices and special tables can be attached.
Which parts need periodic replacement?
As a general guide, the spindle unit and spindle belt are replaced after about 2,000 hours of use and the spindle motor after about 8,000 hours. The handy panel shows total spindle running time. The resin nose cone lasts about 80 hours of engraving.
Manufacturer information: Roland DE-3 Desktop Rotary Engraver (Roland DG)
