Canon Announces Intent to Enter 3D Printing Market

For all its current shine, additive manufacturing (AM) is still a developing technology. Recent upheaval in the stock market shows that investors may have finally gotten the hint that while AM is on the verge of ushering in a manufacturing revolution, that time hasn’t yet come. It’s also important to remember that 3D printing is bigger than any one company. Even the giants in AM are mere upstarts compared to the mammoths of multinational corporations, such as Apple, IBM or even Google.

In its current adolescence, AM may still be ripe for a giant to step in and dominate the industry. HP has been teasing consumers with the idea of a proprietary system for around three years, and recent corporate reshuffling shows they haven’t given up on the idea. Now Canon has thrown its hat in the ring with the announcement of a 3D printing system under development.

Concept art for Canon’s 3D printer, which is still in development. Courtesy of Canon.

During the Canon Expo held in Paris, the company revealed plans to enter the 3D printing market with a brand new system developed internally. While the actual printer wasn’t on display, Canon showed off parts built by the prototype system, and discussed some of what it hopes to accomplish.

According to Canon, existing AM systems have a number of problems. These include the usual suspects such as the current speed of 3D printing, material capabilities, and end-use object durability. Canon also takes issue with object accuracy, and what it sees as complex post-processing procedures.

Canon’s solution is an AM system that employs a brand new (unspecified) AM process based on general use resins that will offer customers material diversity. According to the company, its 3D printer will reduce post-processing requirements, and include water soluble support material.

Where some companies might be satisfied with simply producing a new AM system, Canon wants to create an entire digital environment with what it calls a “3D Integrated Software” solution. This includes 3D scanners, AM systems and easy-to-use digital design tools that allow the most novice user to create 3D designs. Further, Canon intends to cater to both the rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing crowds with the same system.

If all of that seems like a tall order, it is. Canon admits its new system is still at least two years out from release and a lot can happen in that time. It’s possible that HP will beat Canon to the punch. Don’t count out Stratasys or 3D Systems either. Both companies have experience in 3D printing that Canon (and HP, for that matter) lacks, and that may win out in the end.

Below you’ll find a video about Canon’s system in development.

Sources: Canon, Computerworld