A more substantial tutorial might eventually surface here!
Milling PCB's
- CopperCAM
- Experiences:
- Wrong hole sizes? - Try changing import scaling parameter: Parameters --> Import scales --> Excellon... -> Drill
- Use double sided tape to secure workpiece - Avoid bumps and deformations in the tape!! we need <0.05mm precision
- If the PCB-milling jig looks like crap - plane it with the Roland mill
- Cutting parameters:
- Milling with the engraver tool: cutting speed: 5mm/s - depth: 0.13mm
- Experiences:
- CopperCAM
General workflow overview:
- CAD - draw your part as a 3D object
- CAM - convert this part into g-code for the machine (this is mainly the tricky part)
- CNC - Machine part, rejoice and become the supreme ruler!
This youtube video gives a good overview of the steps involved in the process, he is however working with another machine than we have. But the principles are the same!
READ the Manual 
Software choices:
CAD:
- Siemens NX - high end, windows, possible on mac
- Solidworks - high end,
- Fusion 360 - fully featured, free
- Onshape - fully featured, free, browser based, platform independent!
- FreeCAD
- TinkerCAD
- OpenSCAD
- .
- .
- the list goes on. As long as you end up with a .stl file of your 3D object, you're fine!
CAM:
- SRP Player - came with the Roland, simple but can get the job done. Hard to customize, fairly easy to get going.
- NX CAM - integrated CAM solution in Siemens NX, requires more super user skills. Much customization and control
- Kiri:Moto (Onshape plugin) - Free! Plugin for Onshape. Roughing, finishing and drilling operations available as well as some other customization options
- .
- .
This website can quickly show you a visualization of your g-code
CNC:
- VPanel - is the computer software used to communicate with the Roland MDX 540 milling machine we have
Fourth axis:
The 4th-axis is found in box in shelf and mounted on the table of the mill using the two Aluminum profiles. You will need to remove the “elevated” table if this is present and the probe if this is mounted. The 4th-axis connection-cable is connected inside the cabinet on the left side of the spindle and X axis.
You may need to turn on and off the machine to be able to use it. Will be visible on the PC and can turn A-axis (fourth axis) using the hand-held controller
To Generate code using fourth axis:
CAN use rotary in fusion, but need to set up the roland post prosessor for this as 3-axis is default-- be aware!! there are bugs with this post-prosesssor when using rotary in fusion!! :
This works:
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if (true) { // note: setup your machine here
var aAxis = createAxis({coordinate:0, table:false, axis:[1, 0, 0], range:[-360, 360], preference:1});
//var cAxis = createAxis({coordinate:2, table:false, axis:[0, 0, 1], range:[-360, 360], preference:1});
machineConfiguration = new MachineConfiguration(aAxis); //, cAxis
setMachineConfiguration(machineConfiguration);
optimizeMachineAngles2(0); // map tip mode
}
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Other options is also possible