Printwear & Promotion The Total Promotional Package
Roland DG Corporation has announced the release of the monoFab series, including the company’s first 3D additive rapid prototyping machine, the ARM-10, and a new 3D subtractive prototyping and manufacturing machine, the SRM-20.
The ARM-10 3D printer is ideal for quickly checking a design in the initial stage of prototyping or modelling a complex shape. Incorporating a stereo-lithography process with a UV-LED projection system, the ARM-10 builds models by sequentially curing layers of resin from a liquid resin vat. Simultaneous production of multiple objects can be accomplished within the same work area, reducing modelling time when compared to methods where lasers expose specific areas.
The evolutionary SRM-20 desktop milling machine incorporates several innovative subtractive rapid prototyping (SRP) features to meet the needs of a new era. With its new milling spindle, collet, circuit board and firmware, the SRM-20 delivers maximum speed and precision while retaining a compact desktop size.
Peter Kettle, marketing strategy manager for Roland DG (UK), explained how 3D printing has captured the imagination of the world.
He added: “It was first developed in the 1980s as a technology to assist product design, reducing the time to market for new products. This is why the established event for this industry is called TCT (Time Compression Technology). For years, it was described as Rapid Prototyping, Rapid Tooling, Rapid Casting and Additive Manufacturing. Then, someone started calling it 3D Printing, and suddenly the technology seemed more accessible and exciting. Also, we now have celebrities sporting 3D printed accessories, making these objects extremely desirable and, therefore, ideal as promotional gifts.
“But, is it a fad, or will it truly impact the UK promotions industry? 3D printing marketplaces are expanding online. The largest of these is Shapeways. Every month they ship over 120,000 3D printed objects to customers in 119 countries. A quick look at their website shows the potential for the UK promotion industry: jewellery, phone cases, mini figures, model cars, planes, sculptures, key rings, phone stands, bag and coat hooks, memory stick waistcoats, shirt buttons, and a host of other innovative and mind boggling things. Even Asda is offering you the chance to own a mini figure created from a 3D scan of your body.
“Roland’s new desktop monoFab ARM-10 3D printer and SRM-20 milling machine are suitable for a wide range of business models. Whether you are looking to explore the possibilities of this new technology, or need to develop the prototypes or patterns and moulds for your next premium or high volume products, it is time to explore the third dimension.”
For more information visit www.rolanddg.co.uk/monofab
