Inkjet Wholesale News aims to provide updates on the latest significant occurrences in the field of printing. Whether it’s the launch of a new technology or volatility of market prices, we’ll be here to give you the lowdown on what happened, when it happened, and what it means!
Ricoh AM S5500P 3D Printer Launched by OEM in Europe
If you weren’t convinced about the rising stock of 3D printing in the world with our exhaustive 3D printing guide, then perhaps the latest trend in the printing industry would do the trick. Last time out, we reported on the launch of the world’s first production ready 3D printing system in the form of the HP Jet Fusion 3D Printing Solutions. Now, it seems another giant Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) operating in the world of printing has gotten in on the act – Ricoh.
Ricoh launched its first 3D printer in October last year in its home base, Japan. We assumed the limited launch was done to give Ricoh time to get the feel of the 3D printing market while simultaneously building up its capacities to cope with more demand. Well, the process is now over since Ricoh has made its 3D printer available to the western world starting with Europe.
The model in question is the Ricoh AM S5500 which is a machine that uses the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing technology to create the required objects for the user. In SLS 3D printing technology, a laser is used to irradiate and solidify a powder in the desired form and configuration. This machine will support a wide array of high function materials, specifically PA (high functioning nylon) and PP (high functioning polymer). These objects are typified by their high definition and extended durability qualities.
The nature of the Ricoh AM S5500 3D printer is such that it is particularly suitable for manufacturers of high end products where prototyping is a key component. This means that the device will hold serious strategic value for players in the automobile industry. While initially, the machine may be used for prototyping and functional tests by such manufacturers, it is worth noting that the 3D printer is more than capable of 3D printing components for end use as well.
One of the more notable features of the Ricoh AM S5500 3D printer is its build size. The 3D printer measures 550mm x 550mm x 500mm which is a considerable space. This means that this machine will be able to not only 3D print a wide variety of components simultaneously but also formulate large components in a single sitting.
The machine is pre – configured with the OEM’s settings but it will be possible for users to modify these parameters on the basis of their specific requirements through the systems software programme that the OEM is providing along with the device.
The OEM did not develop the 3D printing technology being used in the Ricoh AM S5500 3D printer. Instead, it collaborated with Aspect Inc. The company has revealed that even with the launch of the Ricoh AM S5500 3D printer, it will continue to collaborate with Aspect Inc. to further develop its Additive Manufacturing capabilities.
Ricoh had announced the launch of its own 3D printer in October, 2015 but it has been operating in the 3D printing market for nearly two years now. Ricoh entered the 3D printing industry in September, 2014. At the time, the OEM was offering third party 3D printers in conjunction with its end to end 3D printing services which included consultation, 3D designing, and end use fabrication. Last year, the Ricoh AM S5500 3D printer was added by the OEM to its Additive Manufacturing offerings in Japan. Now, the same is being offered to European customers with other regions to soon follow suit.
Specialised Canon Océ PlotWave 450 Print System Introduced by OEM
Canon has been on a spree lately. The OEM has been launching new printer models every other month. In the last eight months, we’ve reported on four different launches ourselves. In October, 2015 the company launched two new Océ ColorWave printer models, in December, 2015 they announced four new Pixma G printer models, in February, 2016, the three new Océ Arizona 1200 flatbed printer models were introduced, and last month four new imagePROGRAF Pro printer models were released.
Now, the OEM has launched the Océ PlotWave 450 print system. The Océ PlotWave 450 print system is a large format monochrome printing system designed specifically to improve data security and increase efficiency. This large format printer is aimed at facilitating operations in high profile copy shops and large workgroups where document security may be a concern.
The Océ PlotWave 450 print system is based around Canon’s proprietary Océ Radiant Fusing Technology which makes is ideal for handling large quantities of technical documents. According to the OEM, the Océ PlotWave 450 print system can reduce the required man-hours as well as lower energy costs.
When approved, the executive vice president and general manager of the Business Imaging Solutions Group of Canon USA, Toyo Kuwamura, highlighted the security features of the Océ PlotWave 450 print system by stating that the print engine used in the machine ensures that the printed or scanned information remains “as secure as possible”.
The Océ PlotWave 450 print system also focuses on user experience since it features the Océ ClearConnect touch screen which actually works like a standard tablet. The touch screen operates on a Windows based job submission software programme called the Océ Publisher Express 2.
The standard configuration of the Océ PlotWave 450 print system comprises a Top Delivery Tray that can handle up to 150 sheets. The tray is located at an ergonomically suitable height and spans 42 inches in width.
The start-up time of the Océ PlotWave 450 print system is incredibly efficient. The machine can go from complete sleep mode to printing in less than half a minute. There is also the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) which allows users to print or scan documents from or to computer folders, respectively. Mobile connectivity is also a feature with operations being made possible by the Océ Publisher Mobile app.
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