Mimaki’s 3DUJ-553 3D printer will be commercially available via UK & Ireland distributor Hybrid Services later in 2017
The 3DUJ-553 UV LED from Mimaki is claimed to be the world’s first 3D printer that can model 10 million colours, eliminating the need for hand painting of 3D printed objects.
There are two primary issues when it comes to creating 3D printed objects, according to Ronald van den Broek, general sales manager at Mimaki Europe. To produce objects in photorealistic colour ‘often requires that objects be hand painted, a time-consuming and expensive prospect,’ he said. ‘Secondly, most 3D printed objects require removal of stabilising fixtures before they can be used.’
The Mimaki 3DUJ-553 can eliminate both of these barriers, explained Mr van den Broek, since it can print photorealistic colour, choosing from up to 10 million different colours. ‘Its water-soluble support material can easily be washed off without damaging the object,’ he continued. ‘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.’
The 3DUJ-553 uses a highly precise laydown of ink droplets coupled with a choice of three dot sizes for modelling of colour gradations with reduced 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,’ reported Mr van den Broek. ‘And we have shown the printer and/or objects it has printed at a variety of shows [including FESPA 2017] 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,’ he concluded.
