Knowing that Ricoh has extensive experience in 2D printing, 3D inkjet printing seems to us an obvious development for the company. The development occurs 6 years after the company entered the 3D printing market and completes a portfolio that already include polymer and metal 3D printing technologies.
Ricoh’s new technology aims to address the limitations of SLA and other material jetting technologies.
While SLA can produce intricate shapes, it often fails to deliver mechanical strength and only allows for single-color output. Material jetting on the other hand, uses inkjet technology and UV-curable resin. It offers vibrant full-color output and is widely used for design prototypes. However, due to limited strength, it has not been suitable for functional parts.
Ricoh’s material jetting system
Ricoh’s material jetting system incorporates a specially developed ink containing fillers that significantly boost mechanical strength while still being jettable. High-strength clear and white inks form the base, while highly concentrated yellow, magenta, and cyan inks are applied precisely to achieve full-color expression.
By optimizing the formulation of monomers and resins, the output is also biologically safe, passing JIS T 10993-1 testing standards for medical devices. This makes the technology suitable for clinical applications such as long-term dental prosthetics.
This technology has already been adopted by Core Dental Lab Yokohama and is being evaluated for clinical use. With a strength superior to other dental 3D printers and the ability to replicate tooth color gradients, it allows not just temporary prosthetics but also long-term restorations, including premolars.
It also enables single-process printing of dentures combining teeth and gum areas, delivering clean, natural transitions between materials—ideal for high-aesthetic requirements.
The company is currently exploring expansion into international markets including Europe and North America.
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