Canon Europe Enters a Strategic Partnership with Materialise to Offer 3D Printing Software Solutions

Global imaging, camera and medical equipment developer Canon Europe has announced that they have entered into a new strategic partnership with 3D printing software and services company, Materialise. The deal allows Canon to begin offering their customers throughout Europe Materialise Magics, an advanced 3D printing workflow management software platform. Materialise Magics was designed to control every step of the 3D printing process, from design to slicing to sending the job to the printer. It has a intuitive user interface that is highly customizable depending on the needs of the customer.

Canon Europe represents the regional sales and marketing operations throughout 116 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, employing more than 19,000 people. They distribute a wide selection of hardware and software options, including cameras, high quality broadcast lenses, portable X-ray machines, multi-function and production quality 2D printers and of course industrial and professional grade 3D printers. Canon expects the new Materialise Magics software offering to pair very well with their existing consultancy and support network, and offer an added incentive to companies looking to explore adding 3D printing technology to their businesses.

“The creative and commercial opportunities for 3D Printing are vast and the market continues to evolve and expand. As such, we are always looking for ways to enhance our existing proposition and add more value to our customers. We are therefore excited to partner with Materialise as part of our commitment to provide customers with the best 3D products and solutions, as well as unrivalled services and expertise,” explained Chris Blake, Sales & Marketing Director, 3D Printing for Canon Europe.

Materialise Magics will offer Canon customers the ability to import and 3D print almost every 3D file format, as well as any native color information included with the original data. They can prepare models for 3D printing, repair any errors that will prevent printing and verify that the model is watertight. 3D models and designs can be easily manipulated, including the ability to add logos or serial numbers, hollow models, apply textures, and create lattice structures. Users also have the freedom to customize model placement in the build platform, quickly and easily duplicate parts and orientate them to optimize printing. Materialise Magics will also detect potential collisions, save platforms and collect printing data to generate production reports.

“Materialise is keen to enhance the communication between 3D software and printers to help businesses bring their ideas to life. We are thrilled to partner with a trusted name like Canon and put our software backbone for 3D Printing into the hands of businesses looking to print their boldest creations and innovations,” said Lieve Boeykens, Materialise Business Line Director of 3D Printing Professionals.

Materialise created their Materialise Magics software platform to make it easier for manufacturers and businesses to add 3D printing applications to their existing workflows. The software is easily customizable, so users can maximize its data preparation and 3D design optimization processes specifically for their individual businesses’ needs. That includes the ability to create easy-to-use shortcuts and preset guidelines and settings. Canon began offering Materialise Magics to their customers on May 3, 2016 – not long after the two corporations also partnered up in Japan, as Canon Lifecare Solutions agreed to distribute Materialise’s Mimics software suites throughout the country. Discuss this latest development in the Canon & Materialise Partnership forum over at 3DPB.com.