LFP - Large-Format-Printing
XGI makes 3D visualizations with MDX-540
Friday 17. December 2010 - XGI is a one-man company that specializes in technical drawings and the visual presentation of designs. In July 2008, business manager Willy Poelmans bought an MDX-540 for the production of 3D visualizations. Since then, Poelmans has already realized several interesting projects with his 3D milling machine and more and more companies - big and small - find their way to XGI.
Willy Poelmans already wanted to start his own business for some time. In 2007, he took the chance and founded XGI. XGI is the abbreviation of excellent graphics’, which is also the mission of the company. Poelmans initially focused on technical drawings and digital 3D visualizations, but slowly he started with prototyping as well. Willy Poelmans explains: “I already wanted to start with prototyping for a long time, but the investment scared me off a little bit. So, I’ve studied and compared several systems and I came to the conclusion that Roland was the best solution for me. The MDX-540 was just what I was looking for. It’s a subtractive system that is technically well built. What’s more, I can work with a lot of types of material. Looking back, I can say that I’m very satisfied that I took a chance with Roland.”
Poelmans immediately started experimenting with his machine and soon he got his first order. Reduct, a company that develops specialized measuring equipment to map subsoil pipes, asked him to make a show model of a measuring instrument. For this project, he made a 3D design and milled it out in plastic. For another project, Poelmans developed a funnel system. He didn’t make a prototype of this funnel, but he immediately made a usable product.
Poelmans is very excited about his Roland milling machine: “I can save a lot of time, by setting the toolpaths myself. I’m also very satisfied with the quality of the products: the MDX-540 really mills into the smallest details. Another advantage is the fact that I can make functional models, products that you can actually use. For a small company as mine, the costs are also very important and since the running costs of the MDX-540 are very low, I have the possibility to experiment.”
Poelmans carefully looks at the future: “I know that I still have to learn a lot, but I hope that I can grow. In my opinion, functional models of big machines will become very important, for trade shows for instance. I see a lot of potential in this sector. Consequently, I think that I will be able to benefit a lot from my 3D milling machine.”