Ricoh Extends 3D-printing expertise to manufacturing
18 March 2024: Ricoh, a leading provider of additive manufacturing for 3D-printed medical devices will partner with North Carolina State University (NC State), one of tUSA’s top graduate programs for additive manufacturing, to address supply chain challenges through the application of 3D-printing technology.
The Center of Excellence (COE) will focus on research and development of new additive manufacturing applications, as well as function as the ‘nerve center’ for Ricoh’s Managed 3D-print services network, enabling product teams to design, prototype and quickly refine and reiterate a product design in-house. Global revenue for additive manufacturing products and services, widely used for prototyping, manufacturing aids, personalized consumer products and other end-use parts, grew by 18.3% in 2022.
“Ricoh’s Managed 3D-print services will help manufacturers accelerate innovation and product development through rapid, onsite prototyping,” said Gary Turner, Senior Director, Additive Manufacturing at Ricoh. “As applications for additive manufacturing grow, adopting an as-a-service model leverages existing onsite 3D-printing expertise and resources to shorten time while minimizing any additional capital investment.”
Results from Ricoh’s initial pilots have been noteworthy. A leading provider of process control and yield management solutions expanded Ricoh’s onsite managed services remit to include onsite 3D-printing and cut time and cost by nearly 90 percent by bringing its prototyping in-house.
“Ricoh’s partnership with NC State provides our Managed Services customers with direct access to additive manufacturing best practices and resources they wouldn’t have on their own,” said Turner. “We are able to drive efficiencies through our teams onsite, as well as address unique challenges through the COE.”
www.ncsu.edu / www.ricoh.com
