Overview
The Roland MDX-50 is a benchtop CNC milling machine that brings automated 3D milling into the design studio, engineering workshop or university lab. With a 400 × 305 × 135 mm operating range, a five-station automatic tool changer as standard and an optional rotary axis, it produces prototypes, models, jigs, vacuum-forming moulds and short runs of functional parts with smooth surface detail.
Roland designed the MDX-50 so that users of all abilities can mill with confidence. The built-in control panel, VPanel software and bundled SRP Player CAM keep operation simple, while automatic tool-length sensing and calibration support accurate results job after job.
Large Machining Area With Rigid Drive Mechanics
An improved drive system, enhanced machine rigidity and drive mechanics give smooth, dimensionally stable results for testing structure, function and assembly. The 400 × 305 × 135 mm operating range, with workpieces up to 400 × 305 × 100 mm, handles a large single object or a batch of smaller parts.
Five-Station Automatic Tool Changer
The ATC magazine holds five tools plus a detection pin, so jobs that need several cutters run without stopping for manual tool changes. Auto-sensing corrects the tool length for every job, and the included tool positioner lets you install ATC tools without a wrench. Once milling starts, the machine can run unattended.
Optional ZCL-50A Rotary Axis
Add the rotary axis unit to rotate material continuously from 0 to 360 degrees, or index it for 2-sided, 4-sided and custom angles. Wide, self-centring headstock and tailstock clamps hold workpieces up to 120 mm in diameter and 380 mm long for parts with complex surfaces.
Built-In Control Panel and VPanel
Almost every operation can be completed from the front control panel without returning to the PC. On screen, VPanel mirrors the physical panel, lets you change spindle speed and feed during milling, and adds tool life management and e-mail alerts.
SRP Player CAM, ClickMill and G-Code
SRP Player configures milling in five simple steps, ClickMill handles surfacing, drilling and pockets without CAD or CAM software, and support for G-code (NC code) and RML-1 suits both professional and educational users.
Safe, Clean and Easy to Install
A rail-guided safety door, automatic stop when a cover is opened, interior lighting and colour-coded LED status lights make the MDX-50 suitable for studio and classroom use. Debris collects in a built-in drawer, and the machine needs no special electrical set-up or air compressor.
Materials
Roland's specification lists resins such as chemical wood and modelling wax (metal not supported). Its feature page also names ABS, POM, nylon, plastic foam, PVC, plywood, hardwood and acetal.
Applications
- Rapid prototyping functional prototypes for testing structure, fit and assembly
- Jigs and fixtures custom holding and positioning parts for the workshop
- Vacuum-forming moulds accurate moulds milled from chemical wood or other resins
- Design models smooth presentation models and mock-ups for product designers
- Short-run parts small batches of multiple parts in a single set-up
- Four-axis parts complex surfaces and multi-sided parts with the optional rotary axis
- Education hands-on CNC milling for schools, universities and makerspaces
Specifications
| Model | MDX-50 | |
| Cuttable material | Resins such as chemical wood and modeling wax (metal not supported) | |
| Operating range | 400 (X) × 305 (Y) × 135 (Z) mm (15.8 (X) × 12.0 (Y) × 5.3 (Z) in.) | |
| Table size | 400 (W) × 305 (D) mm (15.80 × 12.00 in.) | |
| Loadable workpiece size | 400 (X) × 305 (Y) × 100 (Z) mm (15.8 (X) × 12.0 (Y) × 3.9 (Z) in.) | |
| XYZ-axis drive system | Stepping motor | |
| Operating speed | XY-axis | 7 to 3600 mm/min (0.3 to 141.7 in./min) |
| Z-axis | 7 to 3000 mm/min (0.3 to 118.1 in./min) | |
| Software resolution | 0.001 mm/step (0.039 mil/step: RML-1), 0.001 mm/step (0.039 mil/step: NC code) | |
| Mechanical resolution | 0.01 mm/step (0.39 mil/step: half step) | |
| Spindle motor | Brushless DC motor | |
| Spindle rotation | 4500 to 15000 rpm | |
| Tool chuck | Collet | |
| Tool change method | Automatic Tool Changer (ATC) | |
| ATC magazine capacity | 5 tools + 1 detection pin (6 position capacity) | |
| Attachable tool | “mm” specifications | Shank diameter: 6 mm, tip diameter: 6 mm or less, length: 30 to 90 mm (tools with shank diameters of 3 mm or 4 mm can be used by installing them in the included tool holder) |
| “inch” specifications | Shank diameter: 6.35 mm (0.25 in.), tip diameter: 6.35 mm (0.25 in.) or less, length: 30 to 90 mm (1.18 to 3.54 in.) (tools with shank diameters of 3.175 mm (0.125 in.) can be used by installing them in the included tool holder) | |
| Interface | USB | |
| Control command sets | RML-1, NC code | |
| Power requirements | AC 100 to 240 V ±10 %, 50/60 Hz, 1.2 A (overvoltage category: II, IEC 60664-1) | |
| Power consumption | Approx. 95 W | |
| Operating noise | During operation | 60 dB (A) or less (when not cutting) |
| During standby | 45 dB (A) or less | |
| External dimensions | 760 (W) × 900 (D) × 732 (H) mm (29.92 (W) × 35.43 (D) × 28.82 (H) in.) | |
| Weight | 122 kg (269 lb.) | |
| Installation environment | Indoor use at altitudes | Up to 2000 m (6500 ft) |
| Temperature | 5 to 40 °C (41 to 104 °F) | |
| Humidity | 35 to 80 % RH (no condensation) | |
| Ambient pollution degree | 2 (as specified by IEC 60664-1) | |
| Short-term temporary overvoltage | 1440 V | |
| Long-term temporary overvoltage | 490 V | |
| Included items | Power cord, USB cable, manual, Roland DG Software Package CD, detection pin, hexagonal screwdriver, hexagonal wrench, wrench, tool holder, tool positioner, Z0 sensor | |
| Bundled software | SRP Player, ClickMill, VPanel | |
| Optional ZCL-50A rotary axis unit | Operating range | X: 363 mm (14.29 in.), machine coordinates 37 to 400 mm (1.46 to 15.75 in.); Y: 305 mm (12.01 in.); Z: 125 mm (4.92 in.); A: ±2146680° (approximately ±5963 rotations) |
| Loadable workpiece size | Items within a 60 mm (2.36 in.) radius from the centre of rotation, length 380 mm (14.96 in.) | |
| Workpieces that can be secured | Thickness: 10 to 65 mm (0.39 to 2.56 in.) or diameter of 20 to 68 mm (0.79 to 2.68 in.) | |
| A-axis operating speed | Maximum 15 rpm | |
| A-axis motor | Stepper motor | |
| Mechanical resolution | 0.0225°/step (half step) | |
| External dimensions | 578 (W) × 190 (D) × 128 (H) mm (22.76 (W) × 7.48 (D) × 5.04 (H) in.) | |
| Weight | 7 kg (15.43 lb.) | |
| Included items | Detection bar, cap screws, user's manual | |
| System requirements | Operating system | Windows 10, 8.1, 7 (32- or 64-bit version) |
| CPU | Minimum required CPU for the operating system | |
| Memory | Minimum amount of required RAM for the operating system | |
| Optical drive | CD-ROM drive | |
| Video card and monitor | A display with at least 16-bit colour and a resolution of 1024 × 768 or more is recommended |
FAQ
Can the MDX-50 mill metal?
No. Roland's specification lists resins such as chemical wood and modelling wax, and states that metal is not supported. Roland's feature page names ABS, POM, nylon, plastic foam, modelling wax, PVC, plywood, hardwood and acetal among the materials the MDX-50 can mill.
How many tools does the automatic tool changer hold, and which tools fit?
The ATC magazine has six positions: five tools plus one detection pin. Tools are held in a collet. On the millimetre version the shank diameter is 6 mm (tip 6 mm or less, length 30 to 90 mm), and 3 mm or 4 mm shanks fit using the included tool holder. On the inch version the shank is 6.35 mm (0.25 in.), and 3.175 mm (0.125 in.) shanks fit using the included tool holder.
What does the optional ZCL-50A rotary axis unit add?
It turns the MDX-50 into a four-axis machine for parts with complex surfaces. The rotary axis rotates material continuously from 0 to 360 degrees or indexes it for 2-sided, 4-sided and custom angles, with self-centring headstock and tailstock clamps. It takes workpieces within a 60 mm radius of the centre of rotation (120 mm) and up to 380 mm long.
What do I need to prepare before installation?
The MDX-50 measures 760 × 900 × 732 mm and weighs 122 kg, so plan a level, stable table that can bear 200 kg or more, about 0.6 m or more above the floor, with 700 mm of free space in front to pull out the dust box. It runs from a standard AC 100 to 240 V supply (1.2 A, approx. 95 W) and needs no special electrical set-up or air compressor. You will also need a Windows PC with a USB port.
Which software is included?
The MDX-50 comes with the Roland DG Software Package CD, which includes SRP Player CAM software, ClickMill and VPanel. SRP Player sets up milling in five simple steps, ClickMill handles surfacing, drilling and pocketing without CAD or CAM, and VPanel offers on-screen control, tool life management and e-mail alerts. The machine also accepts G-code (NC code) and RML-1.
Manufacturer information: Roland MDX-50 Benchtop CNC Milling Machine (Roland DG)
