Kinboshi Co. Ltd supplies safety products to security and transportation businesses all over Japan. Kinboshi is able to accelerate its business by deploying three Raise3D Pro2 series printers in three of its operating bases, all in Japan, while remotely controlling them using RaiseCloud, a 3D printing management program.
Raise3D Pro2 Plus in Kinboshi
How 3D Printing with Raise3D Benefitted Kinboshi (View Customer Interview)
Before utilizing 3D printers, Kinboshi spent months on various iterations of prototyping and mold making. After incorporating 3D printing into their operations, Kinboshi shortened their prototyping phase to a few weeks or even days. This is possible because 3D printers build a complete part directly from a CAD design file. It is this same process that also enables Kinboshi to replenish spare parts on-demand for its clients. Once Kinboshi receives an order for spare parts, an engineer will import a CAD file from the database and start 3D printing instantly, regardless of the quantity demanded. On average, one part will be ready for delivery in hours. Therefore, Kinboshi does not need to have items constantly stocked and can reduce the waiting time for the client. For example, Kinboshi estimates to produce 300 filters each year on-demand, without any need for stockpiling.
Original and 3D Printed Filter Spare Parts
Raise3D printers are compatible with a wide range of 3D printing materials, which gives Kinboshi a wider range of applications. For example, an order of spare parts needs to comply with the various mechanical property requirements industrial products have for functional components. With Raise3D printers, Kinboshi can choose the appropriate filament and directly deliver the 3D printed part with the correct material and the desired properties. Another example can be seen in prototyping. Kinboshi can test the performance of prototypes for strength, durability, and stiffness. Kinboshi especially values the carbon fiber reinforced filament which has exceptionally hard and stiff.
Prototypes Printed by Variant Filament
Raise3D’s slicing software, ideaMaker is another feature Kinboshi relies on to deliver qualified parts. ideaMaker provides countless setting options to control the printing process of Raise3D printers and thus, also the printed part. That gives Kinboshi even more flexibility when working with different applications. Even with the same filament, ideaMaker allows users to generate different building strategies for each required mechanical property within a desired time. For instance, Kinboshi lowers the number of outer shells to generate a more transparent printed part.
3D Printed Parts by Transparent Filament
Forming A Network of 3D Printers (View Customer Interview)
Kinboshi also benefits from the advantage of speed 3D printers provide even further, by deploying them throughout the country, and consequently, closer to their range of clients. By eliminating long-distance delivery, Kinboshi can present prototypes and spare parts to a client the same day that the parts are ordered, produced and finished. One practice Kinboshi executes is that the salesperson or client will provide feedback on the design after being presented several printed prototypes in an online video meeting. Thus, Kinboshi headquarters can continue to iterate instantly. Unlike common desktop 3D printers, which lack production stability and performance, Raise3D Pro2 series works with industrial performance built within a desktop printer size and operational requirements. That makes them easy for Kinboshi to set up straight away, while still being reliable and without the need for frequent maintenance.
Online Verification Meeting with Printed Prototypes Presented
For internal communication, RaiseCloud plays a key role in Kinboshi’s network of 3D printers. To operate a network of printers effectively and efficiently, internal communication is critical for Kinboshi. RaiseCloud helps Kinboshi share printing data, printer access, and communicate information between locations where there are printers. Currently, Kinboshi engineers in the main base share .STL files and can access printers in the other two locations. For each printing order, they define slicing settings for each printer accordingly and remotely. Therefore, printing in a remote location can fulfill all printing requirements without the need for local technical support.
Kinboshi’s RaiseCloud Account with 3 Pro2 Plus Connected
Conclusion
Kinboshi is now cultivating 3D printing as part of its corporate culture, by integrating the 3D printer network into its business operation as much as possible. One of the main advantages of 3D printing is to endow Kinboshi with a speed that makes them very competitive within the market. Therefore, more staff can apply 3D printing in their work, and Kinboshi can operate at a faster pace compared to those without 3D printing support.
This case is shared by Japan 3D Printer (https://raise3d.jp/), which is Raise3D’s distributor in Japan.
