Japanese Multinational Imaging Company, Ricoh Launches 3D Printing Related Business
Tokyo, September 8, 2014 –Ricoh Company, Ltd. today announced the launch of an additive manufacturing business (AM Business) centered on 3D printers. Through this new business, Ricoh will sell 3D printers and its associated output service directly to manufacturing customers, as well as provide consulting services to these customers using first-hand knowledge and experience.
To support this launch, Ricoh will open two “RICOH Rapid Fab” facilities dedicated to advancing innovation in manufacturing, in Yokohama and Atsugi, Kanagawa prefecture. Initially, sales will be focused on the Japanese market through Ricoh Japan Corporation. Ricoh is also looking to develop this business globally.
In today’s rapid pace of business, the manufacturing industry is expected to respond to their customer’s evolving business challenges by quickly creating new and innovative products. The manufacturing industry has seen a significant increase in the interest of 3D printers as they provide key time- and cost-saving prototyping capabilities.
The move into 3D printing is a natural step for Ricoh. It has a number of technologies in prototyping and molding, in addition to its accumulated experience utilizing 3D printers for its product design over the past 20 years. With the launch of the AM business, Ricoh will apply this vast experience and knowledge to accelerate innovation directly with its manufacturing customers.
RICOH Rapid Fabs are designed to research and develop manufacturing innovations using 3D printers, primarily for design and manufacturing businesses. Customers can use the Fab as a showroom to experience 3D printing products, and also take advantage of the 3D printer output service using their own data. The Fabs also offer consulting services based on Ricoh’s own, rich experience.
The RICOH Rapid Fab in Shin-Yokohama opened on September 8 and is located inside the Ricoh’s Shin-Yokohama office in the Kanagawa prefecture, while the Fab in Atsugi will be opened in late September and will be within Ricoh’s Atsugi plant also in Kanagawa prefecture.
There are a number of 3D printing methods, including inkjet, material extrusion, and laser sintering. Ricoh has its own technologies related to inkjet, materials, and powders, which are necessary elements to produce these outputs. In particular, Ricoh directly sells inkjet heads utilizing laminated piezoelectric technology to industrial customers worldwide, which are widely used for paper printing and a variety of media, including signage, graphics, and three-dimensional fabrication. Ricoh will continue its research and development, leveraging its experience and technologies, while also consider in-house production and sales of 3D printers.
About Ricoh
Ricoh is a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2014, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,236 billion yen (approx. 21.7 billion USD).
The majority of the company’s revenue comes from products, solutions and services that improve the interaction between people and information. Ricoh also produces award-winning digital cameras and specialized industrial products. It is known for the quality of its technology, the exceptional standard of its customer service and sustainability initiatives.
Under its corporate tagline, imagine. change. Ricoh helps companies transform the way they work and harness the collective imagination of their employees.
For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com/about/
Information in the news releases is true and accurate at the time of publication.
Manufacture, sales, price and specifications of products may be subject to change.
Japan’s Ricoh Throws Hat in Ring To Develop, Distribute 3D Printers
Date: Sep 8, 2014
Source: 3DPrint.com – by Bridget Butler Millsaps
A number of Japanese tech companies are poised to enter the 3D printer market, with Ricoh, Japan’s leading multinational precision instrument company already developing a 3D printer for car and machinery parts they aim to have in production by 2016. They hope to capitalize on demand for mass production as well as prototyping. The printers are expected to be priced between $46,900 to $187,670. Ricoh is targeting small and midsize parts makers as potential clients.
In the meantime, in efforts to get their feet wet in the 3D printer market, Ricoh will start offering prototyping services, and will be importing and selling 3D printers from global leader Stratasys, a manufacturer of 3D printers and 3D production systems for office-based rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing solutions.
Continue reading »