日本技術情報センター Company Profile

Metal 3D printers are becoming increasingly diverse, with relatively affordable low-cost machines available for several tens of millions of yen, as well as binder jetting methods that enable mass production of parts. High-speed, large machines for creating large parts and products are being continuously introduced to the market, and the production of magnesium parts, which are difficult to manufacture with existing machines, as well as copper parts, has also begun. Metal 3D printers eliminate the need for molds by directly producing products from 3D data. They can create complex shapes that are impossible with traditional processing methods, as well as lattice and porous structures, and hybrid structures. This enables the creation of innovative metal parts and molds that are not available from traditional or other companies, significantly shortens prototyping and manufacturing times, drastically reduces the number of parts, allows for lightweight and compact designs, and reduces manufacturing processes and workforce numbers. Using metal 3D printers, we will provide an easy-to-understand explanation for those considering or interested in developing attractive new products and markets, creating new businesses, differentiating from traditional and competitor products, significantly shortening prototyping and manufacturing times, dramatically reducing the number of parts, and achieving low-cost and lightweight complex-shaped components. The world is energetically investing in metal parts and mold manufacturing as the next generation's mainstay, and mass production of parts has also begun in earnest. Manufacturing parts with metal 3D printers will become commonplace in a few years.

At the beginning of the seminar, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology will discuss the research and development related to ceramics 3D additive manufacturing that they have been working on, focusing on the 3D additive manufacturing process, powder preparation process for molding, debinding and sintering processes, as well as examples of production using ceramics 3D additive manufacturing, particularly with alumina and reaction-sintered silicon carbide. Following that, instructors from Shin-Toh V-Ceramics and As One, who are at the forefront of this field in Japan, will provide an easy-to-understand explanation for beginners about the development trends of various ceramics 3D printers from world-class companies like 3DCeram Sinto and Lithoz, as well as the latest additive manufacturing technologies that enable the creation of innovative parts, rapid part development, prototyping, and manufacturing, significant reductions in the number of parts, lightweight and compact designs, and reductions in manufacturing processes and workforce through complex shapes and integral molding, hollow and porous structures, and lattice structures that are impossible with conventional processing methods. Finally, Canon will introduce the latest trends in their newly developed high-performance ceramics materials that excel in selective laser melting (SLM) for 3D printers, which significantly reduce "shrinkage" during sintering, along with the characteristics of parts that can be produced using this method, additive manufacturing technology, target fields, and contract manufacturing services.

The complex shape modeling, integrated modeling, lattice/honeycomb structure modeling, porous structure modeling, hybrid structure modeling, direct modeling from 3D data, as well as topology optimization and collaboration with generative design, which were difficult with conventional processing methods and technologies, can lead to the creation of innovative aluminum parts that are not available from traditional or other companies. This includes rapid development, prototyping, and modeling of parts, dramatic reductions in the number of parts, lightweight and compact designs, and significant reductions in manufacturing time, costs, processes, and workforce. In this seminar, pioneering users such as J·3D, ODEC, and the pioneers of white copper, who are utilizing metal 3D printers to rapidly develop, prototype, and manufacture complex aluminum parts, will specifically explain the points and precautions for introduction and utilization, various modeling methods and technologies, next-generation AM technologies developed independently, and groundbreaking modeling examples that significantly differentiate from other companies, sharing both success and failure stories. With the remarkable advancements in metal AM technology, the use of metal 3D printers for aluminum part modeling and manufacturing will become commonplace in a few years. The secrets to success will be discussed by instructors with numerous research achievements and extensive modeling experience, providing clear and concrete lectures for those considering implementation, beginners with interest, and those who have recently started working in this field.