Ricoh extends 3D-printing expertise to manufacturing with new university partnership

Ricoh, a provider of additive manufacturing for 3D-printed medical devices, recently announced a partnership with North Carolina State University, one of the United States’ top graduate programs for additive manufacturing, to address supply chain challenges through the application of 3D-printing technology.

The NC State Center of Excellence (COE) will focus on research and development of new additive manufacturing applications, as well as function as the 'nerve center' for Ricoh's Managed 3D-print services network.

More expected growth in additive manufacturing section

According to Ricoh, the partnership with NC State will enable product teams to design, prototype and quickly refine and reiterate a product design in-house. Global revenue for additive manufacturing products and services, widely used for prototyping, manufacturing aids, personalized consumer products and other end-use parts, grew by 18.3% in 2022, according to research from Wohlers Report.

"Ricoh's Managed 3D-print services will help manufacturers accelerate innovation and product development through rapid, onsite prototyping," said Gary Turner, senior director, Additive Manufacturing at Ricoh. "As the applications for additive manufacturing grow, adopting an as-a-service model leverages existing onsite 3D-printing expertise and resources to shorten time while minimizing any additional capital investment."

Ricoh said that they have received noteworthy results from initial pilot programs from its customers. A provider of process control and yield management offerings expanded Ricoh's onsite managed services remit to include onsite 3D-printing. The company reported that its customer cut time and cost by nearly 90% by bringing its prototyping in-house.

"Ricoh's partnership with NC State provides our Managed Services customers with direct access to additive manufacturing best practices and resources they wouldn't have on their own," Turner said. "We are able to drive efficiencies through our teams onsite, as well as address unique challenges through the COE."

"Additive manufacturing has significant potential to reduce supply chain complexity and drive innovation in a myriad of industries," said Mark Schmidt, Ph.D., NC State's associate vice chancellor for partnerships. "Partnering with a company like Ricoh with its vast onsite network will help prepare students for impactful careers and identify new opportunities to advance research."

Ricoh featured Managed 3D-print services at MODEX 2024 in Atlanta.