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TechSoft / Roland EGX-350E |
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| Mid Range Milling/Engraving Machine with 3D Capability |
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What is an EGX-350E?
The Roland EGX-350E has been developed by Roland as a tool primarily for engraving. However, when fitted with a milling cutter it becomes a superb light milling/routing machine, with full three axis capability. Continuing in the Roland tradition of superbly designed and built machines it delivers a great set of specifications at a surprisingly low cost.
So if you are looking for a lower priced machine with good 2D and 3D capabilities, the EGX-350E certainly fits the bill. It is especially worth noting that the EGX-350E has twice the bed size and four times the XY feedrate of an MDX-20E, for not much more cost, making it an ideal first machine or a great addition to bolster machining capacity within your department.
However, users who are looking for a machine with a larger bed, greater 3D machining capacity and more optional extras should see if the RotoCAMM MDX-40E falls inside their budget.
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What are the specs like?
On the EGX-350E the maximum machinable object is large (305 x 230 x 37mm) for its class.
The 50W spindle motor and rigid construction, means this machine is quite capable of serious work with most workshop materials. It is even capable of engraving and light machining, in a range of light metals. The EGX-350E also benefits from high feed rates, with XY speeds of 60mm/sec, and Z axis speed of 30mm/sec. These high speeds allow fast throughput of both 2D and 3D work.
With low noise levels the EGX-350E can be used in either a workshop or lab-type environment. Of course, the machine is totally enclosed with safety interlocks, and fully complies with CE regulations.
What about ease of use?
The machine has been designed to be as simple to use as possible, nobody wants a machine that is fiddly to set up when 25 students are all hassling them at the same time! Top loading tools with depth stop collets are used for most jobs, ensuring quick, effortless setting up and tool changing (no tedious “touching on” of tools is required!).
The EGX-350E has a separate Handy panel (see main picture) which can be used to set up and control the machine. However, when using the machine from 2D Design V2 all setup of speeds, feeds, etc. is done from within the software.
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Marker Pen Prototype (19mm FOREX Classic)
Designed in SolidWorks / Machined using a self-centering vice / Spray paint finish with a Print & Cut decal
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What about software?
The EGX-350E comes with a windows driver and a range of useful free utilities, but for serious work, extra software is needed. As a minimum we would strongly recommend 2D Design V2. This drives the EGX-350E directly and will easily manage most users requirements for milling and engraving.
For simple 3D design, 3D Engrave (supplied free) is a useful starting point. It is a 3D design package that is so simple to use, even younger students can create exciting designs. VCarve and PhotoVCarve are also dead easy to use and produce stunning results.
For more sophisticated full 3D designs we recommend SolidWorks. This represents the best balance of power versus ease of use available today, in a full blown solid modelling package.
Whichever solid modelling package you use you will need to load designs into a machining package to drive the machine. As the EGX-350E is sold commercially as an engraver there is no 3D CAM software supplied with the machine, and so you will need to purchase Visual Toolpath. Visual Toolpath has very sophisticated functionality, but is designed to be easy to use in schools. |
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| Finally, don’t forget PCB Design & Make. Simply draw your PCB then engrave it directly onto the copper board. |
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How about work holding?
Work is normally held with double-sided tape on the standard flat bed. Over many years this has proved by far the simplest system for general school use. Of course clamps can be used if required, but generally using clamps makes setup fiddly and inevitably means that sooner or later a tool will hit a clamp and break!
(N.B. Anyone who has had a bad time with double sided tape has more than likely used the wrong tape. TechSoft’s tape sticks tight, but is easy to peel off leaving no residue.) |
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Are there any specialist features?
The EGX-350E was developed as an engraver and so it has Active Surface Tracking technology which the user can choose to take advantage of.
The Active Surface Tracking system constantly monitors the surface of the material, and moves the cutterhead up and down to ensure an even depth of cut, even over bowed material. The benefits of this system are that non-flat materials can be engraved with ease. This makes it much simpler to engrave on jewellery items such as badges, hand-made items, control panels, toys, etc. A further benefit is that it automatically avoids the scratches that can sometimes occur on non-flat materials, as the tool moves from one part of the design to another (if care has not been taken when setting up!). |
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WHAT ARE THE OPTIONAL EXTRAS? |
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Self-Centering Vice |
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3D machining one side of an object is easy, but if the object needs to be machined all round how do you hold it? TechSoft have designed a low cost solution to this problem, a special self-centering vice (see right). 3D objects are machined into a block, which can then be accurately turned over for machining the other surface (two sided machining). Complex objects can be machined from four sides.
To fit the vice the user simply removes the standard bed and attaches the vice to the metal machine bed.
The use of the self-centering vice is fully supported within Visual Toolpath for both 2 and 4 sided machining.
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Max. billet size: 345 x 197mm
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Why should I buy an EGX-350E?
All schools need a CNC milling capability, it is simply a standard requirement for a modern D&T department. Even laser users need a milling capability for the shapes and processes a laser cannot handle, particularly 3D machining.
This low cost machine is simple to set up and use, exceptionally versatile, has a generous machining capacity and great cutting performance. It comes from a proven and trusted manufacturer. Last but not least, it has the backing of TechSoft’s unrivalled technical support. For anyone looking to buy a miller/engraver which can also offer some 3D machining, the EGX-350E must be a serious contender. |
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| FEATURES |
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- Axis travel 305 x 230 x 40mm
- Max. object machinable 305 x 230 x 37mm
- Max. feed rate (X & Y axes) 60mm/sec,
(Z axis) 30mm/sec
- Spindle speed range 5000 - 20000rpm
- Resolution 0.01mm
- Full guarding with safety interlocks
- USB interface
- Dimensions 616(W) x 591(D) x 393(H)mm
- Weight 34Kg
- 1 year warranty.
UK Mainland & Ireland: On-Site
Elsewhere: Return and Collect
- TechSoft Education Inset Pack - Inset Course
Booklet, CD, Accessories and Materials
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(All prices shown are in pounds sterling and exclude VAT) |
| Roland EGX-350E (inc TechSoft Inset Pack) |
4295.00 |
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Recommended extras: |
Mains Switching Unit (EGX-350E)
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120.00 |
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| Recommended tooling: |
| Mixed tool Pack - 350E (General set of tools) (Save £5) |
114.00 |
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| PCB Tool Pack - 350E (Specialist PCB tools) ( Save £5) |
82.00 |
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| See also EGX-350E Tooling |
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| Recommended software: |
| TechSoft 2D Design V2 (2D CAD/CAM Software) |
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| TechSoft Visual Toolpath Site License |
195.00 |
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| See also SolidWorks, PCB Design and Make, TechSoft VCarve and PhotoVCarve software. |
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| EGX-350E ACCESSORIES |
TechSoft can supply the full range of standard accessories for the EGX-350E. We also stock our own materials, including Rotary Engraving Laminates, Modelling Foam, Modelling Wax, Jelutong, FOREX® classic, PCB Materials and Food Grade Polyethylene. |
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A free TechSoft Education Inset Pack is supplied with each machine. This includes an Inset Course booklet with “hands-on” tutorials, a tutorial CD, accessories and sample pieces of material. See our TechSoft Inset Pack section for more details. |
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