Dassault Systèmes Gathered 3D Printing Expertise at CES 2018: Interviews with Rize, Syos

At last week’s eventful CES 2018 in Las Vegas, 3D printing may not have been the main attraction — but still had plenty to show. The annual trade show has a long history as a launch pad for announcements and startups in tech, and getting into the spirit was 3D giant Dassault Systèmes, which used its booth in the 3D Printing Marketplace as a gathering spot for the tech-minded.

Dassault Systèmes

The 3DEXPERIENCE company, which is itself off to an eventful start to 2018 with recently-announced shakeups in its executive team, announced its new Global Entrepreneur Progam during the show, and hosted several companies on the floor.

Dassault Systèmes is the company behind popular 3D software including SOLIDWORKS and SIMULIA and the host of its own impressive events such as the upcoming SOLIDWORKS World and the recent 3DEXPERIENCE Forum. Focusing on the 3DEXPERIENCE, a platform approach encompassing several facets of integrated technologies and inclusive thinking, it’s no surprise that the company has chosen to support growth efforts, putting years of experience and expertise to use for startups, entrepreneurs, and makers. At CES 2018, the company had a ‘Genius Bar’ style setup to facilitate and foster conversations among interested parties to bring more efforts to fruition through collaborative efforts.

Rize

A star of the Incubator for Startups area of the booth was Rize, which brought its Rize One 3D printer as well as its recently-appointed CEO. Both were in fine form, with the Rize One 3D printing amidst the bustle of the area and CEO Andy Kalambi on hand to discuss the ethos behind both technology and company (and to take a selfie). Kalambi, himself an alumnus of Dassault Systèmes, is bringing his breadth of experience of experience to bear now in the 3D printing industry. In Las Vegas, he was keen to continue the discussion of inclusive and sustainable focuses we had begun when last we spoke, and to share some updates on Rize.

“We have launched globally, and have our first reseller overseas; we will be announcing even more soon, including in the US. You will see a lot of news,” Kalambi told me.

Rize began commercial shipments in June 2017 and is continuing to see orders pick up. His month and a half with the company “already feels like a lifetime,” he said with a smile, noting that moving into a 3D printing focus has felt for him like a natural progression of his career.

“This industry is very fast moving, there’s a lot of innovation. But people need to deliver on their promises, that’s important. The industry needs to be very thoughtful in delivering to meet expectations,” he continued.

Sustainability and inclusion are key tenets for both Rize as a company — with environmentally-friendly materials and processes and a company culture celebrating diversity and global reach — and for Kalambi personally, making his work with the company a good fit. Growing sustainably is critical for establishing a viable foothold in the industry; over-promising and under-delivering will no longer be tolerated as additive manufacturing has left its days of hype in the dust.

To keep close tabs on existing growth, Kalambi has already spoken personally with every one of the company’s existing customers, including several site visits to see installations of working Rize One 3D printers. In-the-field on-demand production is a major benefit of 3D printing, and the Rize One is seeing use “in the most unlikely places,” including the middle of a cornfield in Iowa. Speaking with Kalambi, as well as private previews of still-in-development offerings to come during my visit a few months ago to the Rize HQ in Woburn, has me eager to see the next steps for Rize, as 2018 seems to have quite a lot in store for the young company.

Syos

Nearby the Rize One, a saxophone solo drew attention to another sector of the Dassault Systèmes setup. Unexpected amidst the cacophony of a tech show floor otherwise filled with the sounds of production and strength testing, the smooth jazz sounds from Las Vegas-based musician Eddie Rich provided a nice auditory reprieve — and the tech behind the melodies another interesting take on how 3D printing can be put to use throughout a variety of real-world applications.

Each musician plays an instrument a bit differently, and it can be important to Shape Your Own Sound — so important, in fact, that France-based Syos is named for the concept. Dr. Pauline Eveno, the CEO of Syos, was at CES to discuss the concept behind her company and the benefits that 3D design and 3D printing allow for in the creation of custom instrument components. An Ultimaker 3D printer was working away at another unique design as we spoke.

“Questions we ask include the type of music played to create a unique piece for each musician. 3D printing is used for its unique qualities, for geometries that are not otherwise possible, such as internal ridges in each mouthpiece. We have customers in 20 countries, mostly in Europe and North America, who include famous musicians playing Afrobeat, playing jazz,” Dr. Eveno told me, as different techniques come into play for different musical stylings.

“We are starting with the saxophone, and have other instruments to come. We are putting science into the creation of musical instruments that haven’t changed in two centuries.”

Having heard the music distantly and heard more about the creation of the mouthpieces, I turned to Rich for first-hand experiences using the plastic component.

“I first learned about these mouthpieces via social media from musicians I respected who were using them, and I thought I should investigate and take this seriously. I went online and filled out the questionnaire, and got this one,” he told me, indicating the mouthiece.

I asked him the obvious question: how does the 3D printed mouthpiece compare to a traditonal one? He paused for a beat before saying, simply, “It’s better.” The custom-made piece allows for a lighter weight due to its plastic construction, making the instrument physically easier on a musician to play, while also having been created for their unique playing style. For Rich, this translates to an overall superior experience than he had been accustomed to in his musical career.

“It’s a durable material; some of these, if you accidentally drop it, you can destroy or distort or change it. With this one, I’m not worried. There’s a peace of mind, a sense of relief,” he explained. “The weight is also nice. It’s lighter, so there’s less fatigue over time with a lighter horn. I had been using a one-pound brass mouthpiece on a baritone sax that alone is about 15 pounds. On top of that, it’s just an added bonus that this one plays better.”

Fortunately, Rich takes requests and was kind enough to play for me when I asked for another demonstration:

Dassault Systèmes often showcases the best of technologies brought together, and CES 2018 was no different.

I’m looking forward to attending SOLIDWORKS World 2018 in a few short weeks in LA for another edition of technology showcases; last year’s event was not to be missed, and this year the team has more in store with a dedicated Additive Manufacturing Symposium with expert speakers. 3DPrint.com readers can register for a special discounted rate using the code SWW18PRINT3D

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