Coloring with high transparent resin -Ricoh's 3D printer output service for B2B

DX is accelerating in the Japanese manufacturing industry, but in that trend, many companies are paying attention to 3D printers that can directly shape three -dimensional objects from digital data.3D printers are extremely effective tools to reduce development periods and reduce costs, especially when you want to make prototypes in a form close to one -off.

Rico Japan Co., Ltd., which offers a 3D printer output service for B2B, which is high -performance, high -precision, and large size, has announced that it has become possible to paint in high transparent resin in October 2021.was.This time, we have introduced the opportunity to talk to Katsuyuki Fujita, the modeling service business promotion office, which is in charge of planning this service at Rico Japan Co., Ltd.(Writing: Goto Galaxy, Image Provision: Rico Japan Co., Ltd.)

――I heard that Ricoh Japan (Ricoho) has added a menu to apply colored clear paint in the 3D printer output service that is planned and sold.

[Mr. Fujita] In our service, we will keep 3D data from the customer and deliver a 3D printer in the Atsugi Plant, but not only is it just modeled, but also after processing.It is provided as a service menu.This time, a new menu for applying colored clear paint to high transparent modeling modeled with an optical 3D printer has been added.

Model case with high transparent resin.Source: Rico Japan Co., Ltd.

[Mr. Fujita] Even if it is a highly transparent resin, a laminated mark remains on the surface with the shape, and the transparency is not so high.For example, if high transparency is needed like a transparent drink bottle, our service can create a higher transparency sample by polishing the surface as a post -processing and applying clear paint.

In the case of such a drink bottle, it is usually difficult to make a transparent sample unless it is made with a blow -molded type, so it is necessary for a bottle maker to prepare it from a blow -molded type, and it will be costly just by prototype.In our service, you can make it directly without a type of type by using a 3D printer.

In addition, the colored clear paint menu, which we started this time, can be colored in the color of a sample product for customers, such as beer bottles, cosmetics bottles and toys.Coloring will be provided as much as possible to the desired color sample provided by the customer.

By coloring, you can get closer to the actual product image.Source: Rico Japan Co., Ltd.

[Mr. Fujita] We believe that there is a demand for the use of high transparent models, such as skeleton colors for children for children and seeing the movement inside by making the cover transparent.

As an actual application, I have received an order to make the covers such as the engine and motor transparent and check the internal movement.In addition, there are many needs to be transparent in design mock -ups, and there are cases where it is used for product displays for exhibitions.

In general, when a manufacturer tries to prototype, it takes two weeks to make a cutting process, but with a 3D printer, it can be done in one week, so that the prototype cycle can be turned more.。As a result, it seems that our services are often used mainly for the purpose of improving development efficiency, mainly in the early stages of development.

――Can you introduce the specific examples used by your company's in -house users?

By making opaque plastic parts transparent, it is easier to check the internal structure and operation status.Source: Ricoh Co., Ltd.

[Mr. Fujita] This is the part of the module where the paper of the copy machine is discharged, which is not usually transparent, but by making it transparent, the movement of paper movements and jam (paper clogged) occurs.You can now check it with the actual machine.As a result, even if a problem occurs, the cause can be found early, so I feel that it has led to the speed of product development.

The back cover of the tablet -type panel used in Ricoh's copy machine.Transparency makes it easy to grasp the internal state.Source: Ricoh Co., Ltd.

[Mr. Fujita] By visualizing the inside of the movable portion, such as the emission part of the multifunction device, it can be visualized, but there is also a application such as examining the internal shape even if it is not a movable part.。This is the back cover of the tablet -type operation panel used in our copier, but the wiring connected to this tablet board is not clear what the inside is with an opaque cover attached.Hmm.

There is a rib inside the back cover, and when the wiring area is incorporated, there is a risk that quality problems will occur if the wiring is firmly contacted, and if it is forcibly bent and assembled.。By making a transparent cover, you can see what is interfering with the wiring in the cabin after assembly, and why it makes it difficult to get stuck, so you can decide where to add a clamp or unity band.。

Practical support unique to engineers in the manufacturing industry

――I think this is an example where you can understand the benefits of modeling with high transparent resin.I think there are other companies that provide 3D printer output services, but can you introduce the features and points of the services provided by your company?

[Mr. Fujita] The strength of our service is that in the development and design process of copies, printers, and cameras, engineers who have designed Ricoh who have used 3D printers have a service customer service.That's what you have.The major feature of our services is that engineers, who were actually in charge of manufacturing and mechanical design, talk to customers, understand the requests, and propose the optimal modeling that makes use of the characteristics of 3D printers.I think.

Originally, before providing such services outside, Ricoh has been prototyping with 3D printers in the company for many years.Since the members with the know -how are receiving customer requests, we are proud to have a high level of service at the counter.However, these know -how is difficult to quantify, such as price and delivery date, and it is difficult to appeal to the outside, so the website has a content called "3D printer Iroha that the engineer speaks", and with a 3D printer.We tell customers about tips and techniques when modeling.

For example, the reason why it becomes muddy even when it is shaped with a transparent resin is due to laminated streaks.This is a logic that does not transparent laminated marks, and introduces hints such as how to make it possible to make high transparency and high transparency without cost.If you simply make the laminated pitch, it will not approach transparency, but it is important to put a layer (swing) so that the width of the streak of the step can be widened.Customers are not expensive enough to polish, but transparent parts want to maintain a certain degree of transparency.I will suggest it while doing.

Differences in the appearance by laminated steps

[Mr. Fujita] There is also an explanation about the meat removal when making a bottle plug using a 3D printer.If you do it as it is, support materials will be required as shown in the figure below, and the molding time will be required accordingly, and the cost will be higher.By making this a medium -out structure as shown on the right in the figure below, the support material is unnecessary, and it has a rounded shape, making it easier to grip the grip and can make an excellent proposal with QCD.increase.

――Please tell us the starting point of the 3D printer output service.

[Fujita] The service started in late 2014.Originally, there was an asset for the 3D printer used in the company, and it started by making good use of its foundation.We also sell 3D printers in each company, so we are developing a business with equipment and materials in terms of expanding our options.

――What have been changed to users and needs since 2014?

[Mr. Fujita] At that time, the 3D printer boom was occurring, and what can I actually do with a 3D printer?There were some voices that actually introduced, but it could not be used well, so the service was mainly complemented.In recent years, the recognition of 3D printers has been increased, and many people are now understood what can not be done with a 3D printer, so many customers who want to do it specifically and have a clear problem.I feel that it is coming.

From simple prototypes of shape confirmation to full -fledged functional prototypes

[Mr. Fujita] In addition, it was mainly focused on simple prototypes that only looked at the shape, but recently I feel that the range of examinations such as jigs, functional prototypes, and final commercialization has expanded.As the number of customers has introduced 3D printers, we are asking the service to request the size and materials that cannot be shaped with the 3D printer you have.

--thank you.Finally, can you introduce the future service development?

[Mr. Fujita] We would like to spread the 3D printer output service while asking the customer's request based on the relationship with customers cultivated in the copier business.In particular, the number of demands to shape the final product with a 3D printer has been increasing recently.In the future, I would like to expand the range of proposals to provide new value that makes use of the characteristics of 3D printers.

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