Roland DG to transfer 3D technology business to newly-established subsidiary DGSHAPE

DGSHAPE will be up and running from April 3rd 2017.

by

Roland DG, a leading manufacturer of inkjet printers and 3D fabrication devices, is to transfer its 3D technology operations to a newly-established wholly-owned subsidiary, DGSHAPE Corporation.

Shifting all of its 3D business, consisting of the development and sales of 3D milling machines, 3D printers, engraving machines and photo impact printers, to this new subordinate organisation, DGSHAPE will be up and running as of April 3rd 2017.

Kohei Tanabe, Executive Officer and General Manager of DGSHAPE Market and Development Department for Roland DG, will become the Representative Director, President and CEO of the subsidiary from next month. The mission of DGSHAPE Corporation is to harness the 3D digital fabrication technologies and expertise that Roland DG has developed over more than three decades, as well as its proprietary digital cell production system and global customer service and support system, in order to provide advanced digital manufacturing/ fabrication solutions.

“DGSHAPE intends to deliver a greater level of added value that advances a new age of digital fabrication by not only developing innovative hardware and software,” Tanabe said, “but by providing more efficient production workflows, enhanced service and support including consulting, and an open innovation environment that can generate a thriving business through exploiting next-generation technologies such as Cloud, IoT, AI and robotics.”

DGSHAPE will focus on three main business fields: Dental, Medical, and 3D Digital Fabrication.

By providing digital solutions for dental technicians, Roland DG assists dental laboratories in taking advantage of the benefits brought about by digitalisation, including consistent, high-quality production on-demand in reduced time. Believing that its experience in 3D milling could enhance the productivity and profitability of dental labs, Roland DG launched the DWX series dental milling machines. Immediately establishing Roland DG’s place in the market, these devices were highly regarded for their desktop size, user-friendliness, and open system for use in combination with popular CAD/CAM software, scanners and materials. DGSHAPE will continue this interest in the dental sector, and also intends to expand its scope by developing solutions for dental clinics.

Equally, DGSHAPE will maintain its senior company’s work in the medical industry. Roland DG launched a series of solutions catered for the medical sector, including the MPX-90M and MPX-95 technologies. DGSHAPE is hoping to offer a comprehensive solution to medium to large-scale clinics and hospitals in Japan and overseas before the end of the year.

DGSHAPE will also focus its research and development at providing even further innovation and value to customer 3D digital fabrication efforts. Now that fabrication is no longer confined to product research and design engineers and specialists in manufacturing companies, Roland DG’s first personal 3D milling machine was released three decades ago, a cultural revolution is taking place that has the potential to create new, innovative applications from the collective knowledge and ideas of vast numbers of people around the world.

Just as Roland DG previously identified generated new business growth from its 3D digital fabrication technologies, DGSHAPE will strive to identify the seeds of new business opportunities for future growth. Next generation technologies, such as IoT, AI and robotics, have already been muted as potential foray for the newly-found subordinate.  

Nominations and bookings for the inaugural TCT Awards can now be made on the TCT Awards website.  

Get your FREE print subscription to TCT Magazine.

Exhibit at the UK's definitive and most influential 3D printing and additive manufacturing event, TCT 3Sixty.

Featured Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing Insights