グーテンベルク List of Products and Services

The Resilient ICT Research Center of the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) is a research department that aims to achieve "uninterrupted communication," as its name suggests. This time, we spoke with Mr. Goji Sato, a research technician at the Sustainable ICT Systems Laboratory of the center, and Mr. Kota Kido, the chief of the Manufacturing Group in the Radio Utilization Management and Manufacturing Office of the Business Planning Department, who supports NICT's prototyping efforts, about the realities of the research field and the importance of prototyping.

■Recommended for: ▶ Manufacturing companies and engineers considering the introduction of industrial 3D printers ▶ Those who want to move away from PLA and ABS and use high-performance materials like PEEK, PPS, and polyamides ▶ Those who want to utilize 3D printing not only for prototypes but also for actual parts and jig production ▶ Those who do not understand how to read TDS (Technical Data Sheets) ▶ Those who want to know why performance differs among manufacturers even with the same resin name ■What you can learn from this video: ▶ Three criteria for choosing a 3D printer (equipment, materials, support system) ▶ Differences and applications of PLA, ABS, PETG, PETG, polyamides, PPS, and PEEK ▶ Why does performance vary so much among manufacturers even for the same "PLA"? ▶ Items to check in TDS (Technical Data Sheets) ▶ How to choose materials that should absolutely be avoided for business applications ▶ Pitfalls of carbon fiber and talc additives ▶ What is the high-performance material "Pochicon" realized through collaboration with Otsuka Chemical? ▶ Applications where super engineering plastic PEEK should be used in 3D printing ▶ Case studies of process verification, jigs, and small-scale production utilization

We offer free benchmark printing for customers considering the purchase of a 3D printer. We can use POTICON filaments such as POTICON PA, POTICON PPS, and POTICON PEEK, as well as general-purpose resins like PLA, ABS, PC, ASA, PA, and TPU. Please feel free to contact us for this opportunity!

The "G-ZERO L1" is a large industrial 3D printer that transforms the field with high speed, high precision, and high strength. By dramatically enhancing the rigidity and precision of each part, it achieves industry-leading high-speed and high-precision modeling, even as a large model. The build area has been expanded to twice that of the standard model. This not only allows for large-scale modeling but also increases the number of parts that can be produced at once, broadening its applications in production environments. 【Features】 ■ Industry-leading speed and precision that remain unchanged even for large models ■ Expanded build area leads to broader application scenarios ■ Stable output of PA and PPS-based POTICON FILAMENT ■ Equipped with a dehumidification unit to prevent material degradation ■ Designed and manufactured in Japan *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

The "G-ZERO" is a compact 3D printer measuring 440×415×470mm, capable of outputting engineering plastics (PPS, PA). It can be easily installed not only in offices but also on factory lines, allowing customers to easily add the functionality of producing jigs and small parts to their work environments. The high-rigidity frame, made with metal processing technology from small factories, maintains its high printing accuracy without warping even after repeated high-speed printing. 【Features】 ■ A manufacturing factory that fits on your desk ■ Sturdy body ■ Lightweight tool head ■ Automatic bed leveling ■ Designed and manufactured in Japan *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

The "G-ZERO" is a lightweight and compact 3D printer with external dimensions of 440×410×470mm and a body weight of 26kg, achieving industrial-quality printing speed and accuracy. It is capable of printing not only general-purpose resins but also engineering plastics (PPS, PA). It can be easily installed in both offices and factory lines, enabling in-house production of factory line parts and jigs, leading to significant cost reductions and shorter delivery times compared to outsourcing. The high-rigidity frame made using metal processing technology from small factories maintains its high printing accuracy without distortion, even after repeated high-speed printing. 【Features】 ■ A manufacturing factory that fits on a desk ■ Robust body ■ Lightweight tool head ■ Automatic bed leveling ■ Designed and manufactured in Japan *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

"G-ZERO" is an FFF method 3D printer that supports challenges in new domains through ultra-fast modeling. With a precise and robust structure and advanced control software, it achieves astonishing modeling speeds. It enables challenges that were not realistic with the modeling speed of conventional 3D printers, such as ultra-fast iterative validation of ideas, improvement of production processes, and medium-scale production of plastic parts. Please feel free to contact us if you have any inquiries. 【Features】 ■ Rapid design iteration ■ Manufacturing means for final products in medium quantities or more ■ 3D printing without time constraints *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

The "G-ZERO L1" is a large industrial 3D printer that transforms the workplace with high speed, high precision, and high strength. By dramatically enhancing the rigidity and precision of each part, it achieves industry-leading high-speed and high-precision modeling, even with large models. The build area has been expanded to twice that of the standard model. This not only allows for large-scale modeling but also increases the number of parts that can be produced at once, broadening its applications in production environments. 【Features】 ■ Industry-leading speed and precision that remain unchanged even for large models ■ Expanded build area leads to broader application scenarios ■ Stable output of PA and PPS-based POTICON FILAMENT ■ Equipped with a dehumidification unit to prevent material degradation ■ Designed and manufactured in Japan *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

With FDM 3D printers, it is now possible to achieve such high-resolution modeling. In this video, we thoroughly examined how much precision, strength, and design quality can be enhanced using Otsuka Science's POTICON filament, which can be finished with zero post-processing. The first major point is that "no post-processing is required." In typical FDM printing, polishing or post-processing is often necessary to eliminate surface irregularities and layer lines, but all samples in this case are as printed. Despite not being sanded afterward, they achieve a very smooth and uniform surface quality. This is due to the unique material properties of POTICON filament and the combination of appropriate nozzle diameter and layer settings. Another noteworthy point is the ability to stack with thin layers. The samples introduced in the video were printed with only the first layer on the build plate and then removed as is, and even at this stage, they are already finished with high precision. Based on this thinness and uniformity, stacking the second and third layers allows for high-resolution modeling that is hard to believe is FDM.

In this video, we will introduce the technology for 3D printing high-temperature engineering plastics such as PEEK and PPS with exceptional precision, along with examples of their print quality. Generally, materials reinforced with CF (carbon fiber) or GF (glass fiber) are high-strength and high-rigidity but have lower sliding properties, raising concerns about friction and wear. However, the "POTICON filament" we are discussing achieves high sliding properties, providing significant advantages in applications involving friction loads, such as gears, sliding components, and tool mechanisms. Additionally, the video will provide a detailed explanation of how the design incorporates the contact surface with the build plate. Understanding the characteristic of the printed surface transferring the texture of the build plate, we will discuss which side should be the bottom surface and the design philosophy to balance appearance and functionality. You will also see the reasons why complex shapes like tool heads can be printed with fine details, along with tips for enhancing surface quality.

We offer free benchmark modeling for customers considering the purchase of a 3D printer. We can use not only POTICON filaments such as POTICON PA, POTICON PPS, and POTICON PEEK, but also general-purpose resins like PLA, ABS, PC, ASA, PA, and TPU. Please feel free to contact us for this opportunity!