Roland DG into 3D print

Roland DG makes its 3D move

Roland DG makes its 3D move

Roland DG is releasing its first 3D printer, a desktop rapid prototyping machine it hopes will propel it forward in the race to harness the technology. Whether 3D printing will be taken up as a new revenue stream by commercial printers remains to be seen. Stuart Grover, co-founder and director of 3D Printing Studios, told AP that while half of the industry scratches its head, early adopters will be racing forward and building a reputation and client base. He says, “Printers already have access to customers in several different industries that will have a need for 3D printing. “This is an amazing opportunity for the printing industry to get involved in something that is not just a commodity; who can produce the cheapest thing. It is about who can offer the best service and the best quality.”

The ARM-10 3D printer

The ARM-10 3D printer

Roland DG says it has been involved in the technology for the past 25 years and intends to provide designers with accessible devices that are compact and easy to use. The company already produces 3D subtractive machines, known as milling devices, targeting mostly the healthcare market for making dental prosthetics. It is also releasing a new milling model, part of the monoFab series, called the SRM-20. The company’s first foray into 3D print, the additive side of the technology, is lead by the ARM-10 rapid prototyping machine, a desktop printer that builds models by sequentially curing layers of resin from a liquid resin vat. The ARM-10 is suited to quickly checking a design in the initial stage of prototyping or modelling complex shapes. It incorporates a stereo-lithography process with a UV-LED projection system. Roland DG says its imageCure resin becomes semi-transparent when cured, and post-processing procedures such as support removal and polishing are simple. It says it has minimised resin consumption by adopting a suspended build system. The company recommends potential customers evaluate their projects to determine with the additive ARM-10 or subtractive SRM-20 milling device will be best for their needs. John Wall, president and director of Roland DG Australia, says, “By combining the merits of each device, users can select the best method for their workflow every step of the way, from inspiration to production.

John Wall

John Wall

“With no limits to production methods, ideas can expand to their fullest potential and new possibilities in innovation can be realised. “We hope the monoFab series tools will inspire those who wish to create the future and explore all their creative abilities.” The SRM-20’s strengths lean towards greater accuracy and smooth finished surfaces. The new model includes updated milling spindle, collet, circuit board and firmware for speed and precision. This machine can mill a variety of non-proprietary materials typically used for prototyping, including acrylic, ABS, wood and modeling wax, making it possible to check the feel and weight of materials that are similar or the same as final deliverables. Modifications can also be applied to extend the milling machine functions, by connecting to open source hardware such as the Arduino electronics prototyping platform. Roland DG says it is expanding its stake in the technology to pursue its mission to ‘provide digital fabrication tools that transform imagination into reality.’ It says the machines are simple to operate, and can be used by manufacturing businesses for design and prototyping applications, by schools for educating the next generation of designers and engineers, even by individual hobbyists. Experts have speculated that way ahead for printers and packagers and 3D printing technology could involve prototyping, or manufacturing certain items for the customers already in their database.

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