3D Printing Technologies
Through a partial business transfer agreement, Meidensha has taken over operations for the micro-hydroelectric power generation and 3D printing technologies cultivated at Ricoh Company, Ltd. over the years. By harnessing these technologies together with Meidensha's proprietary development capabilities, we are creating revolutionary technologies that are wholly unique and unprecedented in Japan. By preparing prototypes and jigs in-house, we have created an environment facilitating ready introduction of these technologies at any time, contributing to R&D and production processes more than ever before. This page introduces a few of the available technologies.
New 3D printer technology development
Water-resistant 3D printing materials
LIFE PARTS R3 ink
R3 ink is made using acrylic resin that hardens in response to UV light exposure, enabling rapid forming results. Using acrylic resin greatly reduces the problem of warping seen in other material types while providing material strength comparable to ABS resin. This ink has a wide range of applications, including high-precision prototypes, piping and other flow-channel forms, resin molds and more. And because the resulting products exhibit higher water resistance than those made using standard 3D printer resins, they see increasing applications in micro-hydropower generation equipment runners (propellers).
Environmental considerations
Biomass (organism-derived material) is used for a portion of the overall material in order to reduce its environmental load. Furthermore, we have received Biomass Mark certification, which indicates an environmentally friendly product that complies with all relevant laws, regulations, standards and specifications in regard to quality and safety.
Joint development and collaborations in 3D printing
Material development and 3D printing consultations
We offer new value by developing unorthodox 3D printing materials not bound by traditional approaches and otherwise helping customers overcome challenges in the field of 3D printing.
New business achieved through 3D printer utilization
Our activities
Our LIFE PARTS brand was born following a business transfer deal with Ricoh to take over their “TRIBUS” new-business creation program. Through LIFE PARTS, we make use of 3D printer technologies—one of our greatest strengths—to fabricate micro-hydropower generation equipment propellers with proprietary forms. Through these efforts, we hope to promote renewable energy systems that make use of irrigation channels, sewage lines and other such waterways in various regions. Moreover, we hold micro-hydropower generator building workshops (using recycled plastics) targeting local government agencies, educational institutions and the like for purposes of deepening people’s understanding of renewable energy and encouraging utilizations of the technology. Through these activities, we aim to facilitate local production for local consumption in the electric power field, which contributes to the achievement of decarbonization and recycling throughout society, while also helping regions boost their appeal and revitalize.
LIFE PARTS facilitates local power production for local consumption via micro-hydropower to help realize a decarbonized, recycling-oriented society, while also strengthening regional appeal and driving regional revitalization.
3D-printed micro-hydropower equipment sample product
Many people express interest in micro-hydropower, yet feel that most equipment is too big or bulky to realistically introduce into their operations. In response, Meidensha has developed micro-hydropower generation equipment that, while lacking the generation capacities of larger product types, offers enough output to be useful at events and the like. We also provide opportunities to experience this equipment firsthand as a means of promoting more widespread dissemination. Please follow the link below if you are interested in trying micro-hydropower for yourself!