3D printing is a transformational technology, Philip Brady Head of Canon Ireland

By @SimonCocking

Where will this take place in Ireland?

Canon is launching its 3D print proposition in Ireland. This is a business solution offering, following the successful rollout in the UK in March 2015.

Partnering with 3D systems, a leading global provider of 3D printing technology we now have our 3D print proposition in Ireland. This enables Canon to market, sell and support 3D Systems’ advanced manufacturing 3D printers, including the ProJet 660, 3500 series, 4500, 6000 and 7000.

Focusing on prototyping for rapid product development, Canon will offer the 3D printers to existing customers across the engineering, manufacturing and architectural market segments

How soon will it be available?

Following today’s announcement Canon’s 3D print proposition is now available as a business solution nationwide

What type of materials will it be printing? (ie plastic / wood / metal or other?)

3D systems as a market leader has the broadest range of 3D printing technology available which allows us to fulfil the diverse requirements of our customers. The print material varies from Wax, Ceramics, a range of plastics to various metals including steel and other metal alloys.

Up to what size will it be able to print & in what frequency / print run?

From the functional prototyping stage, it is critical to print full size parts to test product functions in real conditions, so the build volume is key for real size parts. The largest build volume is available with the stereolithography technology with a print length of up to 1500mm, allowing engineers and designers to print complete car dashboards, for instance.

Who do you see will be your initial customers & what type of products do you imagine will be printed?

Based on customer reaction in the UK, we are initially seeing this aimed at architecture, engineering and manufacturing

3D printing is being used extensively to test new prototypes as well as enabling companies to dramatically decrease time to market for new products. Delivering a technology that enables a multitude of applications, from concept models and rapid tooling to end-user parts, saving cost and time whilst delivering high quality output.

PwC estimates 67% of manufacturers globally are already using 3D printing (source: The Future of 3-D printing: Moving Beyond Prototyping to Finished Products)

What is the price range?

Canon’s 3D print proposition is a bespoke service, and we create a unique pricing model for each business we work with.

How soon before we see one in every home?

That is hard to predict, Gartner believe the 3D market will be worth €12 billion by 2020. Given its potential and the pace of technological change, we could see them in homes in less than a decade.

Anything else would you like to add?

3D printing is being used extensively to test new prototypes as well as enabling companies to dramatically decrease time to market for new products. Delivering a technology that enables a multitude of applications, from concept models and rapid tooling to end-user parts, saving cost and time whilst delivering high quality output. I believe 3D printing is a transformational technology, changing product development and business processes. The limitless opportunities afforded by 3D printing enable organisations to get a step ahead of their competition by offering new and innovative products and services today. For example, if you look at IP Protection, 3D printing allows fast prototyping and would allow organisations contain their Intellectual Property rights and not risk them being potentially leaked as they engage manufacturing vendors.

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