Mimaki, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and cutting systems, today announced the launch of a brand new approach to 3D printing with the Mimaki 3DUJ-553 UV LED printing solution. This is the world’s first 3D printer with over 10 million colours, enabling the production of colour-realistic signs, prototypes, parts, products and other 3D printed applications that eliminate the need for time-consuming hand painting of 3D printed objects.
“As the 3D printing market continues to grow, Mimaki has capitalised on an opportunity to bring a truly unique solution to the market,” says Ronald van den Broek, General Manager Sales at Mimaki Europe. “Other 3D printing solutions have two primary issues when it comes to creating 3D printed objects. First, they cannot produce objects in photorealistic colour. This often requests that objects be hand painted, a time-consuming and expensive prospect. Secondly, most 3D printed objects require removal of stabilising fixtures before they can be used. This again takes time and risks damaging the object. With the Mimaki 3DUJ-553, both of these barriers are eliminated, since it can print photorealistic colour, choosing from up to 10 million different colours. And its water-soluble support material can easily be washed off without damaging the object. This enables the cost-effective production of exquisite 3D printed products with elaborate finishing. We believe this printer will be warmly welcomed by professionals in many industries, from signs & display graphics to education, healthcare, manufacturing, architecture, construction and more.”
Mimaki has a long history of bringing innovative inkjet printing solutions to the market, for the printing of everything from banners and dimensional signs to textiles and direct print to cylindrical objects. The company has brought to bear its deep knowledge and expertise in the development of the 3DUJ-553 full-colour 3D printer. It satisfies even the most exacting professional requirements for full-colour modelling of 3D objects of all types, with highly precise laydown of ink droplets and a choice of three dot sizes for modelling of colour gradations with less granularity. These 3D printed objects are also durable enough to withstand post-processing such as overcoating and attachment of screws and other fixtures.
“We showed this as a technology demonstration at drupa 2016 to rave reviews,” Van den Broek comments. “And we have shown the printer and/or objects it has printed at a variety of shows and events since that time. Prospective customers tell us this is exactly the 3D printing solution they have been waiting for, and we expect to see fairly rapid uptake once it is commercially available by the end of this year. Customers will also be able to take advantage of Mimaki’s excellent service and support infrastructure to get up and running fast, and to ensure uninterrupted production to the fullest extent possible.”
The details: Focus on colour
Prepared on the basis of information from Mimaki