Roland DG’s new ARM-10 3D Printer
Back in May, we learned that Autodesk had decided to jump into the 3D printing space, by announcing a new 3D printer that would be released at a later date. There is speculation that Hewlett Packard will also be jumping into the industry with a line of 3D printers later this year. These are two large companies that previously had not had a very large interest in 3D printing, that are now planning to be major players. It’s when large companies like these start showing interest in a technology that we begin seeing a more mainstream adoption within an industry.
Today, yet another large company, Roland DG Corporation, has announced their entrance into the 3D printing space. Roland DG is the world’s leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and 3D devices. They have now introduced their new monoFab ARM-10 stereolithographic 3D printer. The printer, which is targeted toward small to large scale businesses, utilizes Roland DG’s imageCure resin, which becomes semi-transparent when cured with a UV-LED light. The ARM-10 is priced at $6,995 or it can be leased for $147/month. It features a build area of 5.11” (130mm) W x 2.75” (70mm) D x 2.75” (70mm) H, and prints with an XY resolution of 0.2mm and Z axis resolution of 0.01mm. It has the ability to print at 10mm/h using its ultraviolet light emitting diode.
In addition to the release of this new 3D printer, Roland DG also announced a new desktop milling machine – the SRM-20. Building machines like this is not new for Roland DG, as they have been in the CNC machine manufacturing business for over 25 years now. This machine provides very high accuracy in subtrative manufacturing, to go along with the high precision and accuracy of their new additive prototyping 3D Printer, the ARM-10. You can learn more about the SRM-20 via the company’s website.
The SLA Process
“The monoFab series desktop fabrication solutions are the culmination of over 25 years of experience in 3D milling and the company’s first foray into 3D printing,” explained Akio Kawai, Roland DG general manager of 3D market development. “By combining the merits of each device, users can select the best method for their workflow every step of the way, from inspiration to production. With no limits to production methods, ideas can expand to their fullest potential and new possibilities in innovation can be realized. We hope the monoFab series tools will inspire those who wish to create the future and explore all their creative abilities.”
With this latest ARM-10 3D printer entering the market from a rather large name within the rapid prototyping industry, it should be interesting to see how other firms like Autodesk (also in the process of creating an SLA based 3D printer), and FormLabs (creator of the Form 1+ SLA 3D printer) respond. Will the increase in competition spur on new development, or will it help reduce the prices of the high quality SLA 3D printers already on the market? Only time will tell.
Discuss in the Roland DG monoFab ARM-10 3D Printer forum thread on 3DPB.com. Check out the video below:
