Jun 15, 2016 | By Tess
Every four years since 1951, Messe Düsseldorf, a German trade fair organizer, has hosted drupa, the world’s largest printing equipment exhibition. Typically, the focus of the exhibition has remained on 2D paper printing equipment, but this year a surprising number of exhibitors, including some of the largest company presences, were toting a newer kind of printing: 3D printing.
Of course, this is not the first time that 3D printing technologies have been exhibited at the quadrennial expo, but drupa 2016 marks the most significant showcasing of additive manufacturing technologies, with companies like Kodak, Massivit, Canon, and many more demonstrating and effectively selling their various 3D printing products.
Kodak, as we know, recently partnered with Carbon (formerly Carbon3D) to develop the latter’s CLIP based M1 3D printer. Specifically, the imaging tech company helped Carbon to develop its UV photo initiator resins, and is planning on developing more resins for the M1 3D printer in the future. While Kodak exhibited many of its products at drupa, particular attention was drawn to a number of samples printed with the M1 3D printer. Japanese imaging tech company Canon was also in attendance, as they were showcasing a number of 3D Systems’ 3D printers, which Canon is distributing.
Israel based Massivit, responsible for some of the world’s largest 3D printers, was present and drew significant attention from drupa attendees for its large-scale additive manufacturing machines. According to the company, it even made three sales for its super-sized 3D printer within the first couple days of the exhibition. Digital imaging company EFI also showcased a number of samples for concrete molds and fiberglass parts printed by Massivit.
Memjet, a leader in rapid color printing technology, was showcasing an XYZprinting binder jetting printer at drupa. The machine combined XYZprinting’s powder and sealants, with Memjet’s color printhead technology. Wide format printer manufacturer Mimaki, known for its sign graphics, also showcased a number of samples printed on their 3D printer. Currently, Mimaki’s 3D printer is being used to complete orders placed with the company, but the machine will reportedly be put on the market by the end of 2016 or beginning of 2017.
UK based Xaar, a reputable manufacturer of inkjet printheads, is also moving into the realm of 3D printing by developing and helping to advance binder and material jetting materials. The company is also hoping to bring down the cost per piece of 3D printed items. Blueprinter was also in attendance with its cost-friendly binder jet printer.
Also present at drupa were Ricoh, with its AM S5500P 3D printer; SDD (a subsidiary of AMR Europe) with its large Ghetto Blaster material extrusion 3D printer; and Heraeus, which was showcasing its drying lamps and other printing products. The Hanau, Germany-based company, which specializes in metals, medical tech, quartz glass, lights, and sensors, have clients in such high places as HP, which used Heraeus’ quartz lights in its new Multi Jet Fusion 3D printers, Arcam, and Concept Laser.
Drupa 2016, which wrapped up just days ago, marks the first time the printing exhibition has had such a significant 3D printing presence. Considering growth of the 3D printing industry and the number of companies adopting the technology, there is little doubt that the next drupa in 2020 will feature even more exciting additive manufacturing technologies.
Posted in 3D Printer Company
Maybe you also like:
- UK university to offer Additive Manufacturing postgrad course this September
- 3D design pioneer Janne Kyttanen launches new design tech venture capital firm
- Hexcel invests in OPM to advance carbon-fiber reinforced 3D printed parts
- Tinkerine Studios loses $311,223 in fiscal Q1 2016
- GE Oil & Gas opens new additive manufacturing line at plant in Talamona, Italy
- Take a look inside China's largest 3D printing innovation center
- Stratasys appoints IBM Veteran, Tim Bohling as Chief Marketing Officer
- Materialise and Microsoft partner to launch cloud-based 3D printing solution
- Norsk Titanium announces $10M investment from Harbert European Growth Capital Fund
- Arkema and HP reveal material development collaboration for Multi Jet Fusion 3D printer
Blueprinter is an SHS type 3D printer. There is no jetting of binder but sintering of Nylon powder via a thermal print head.
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
