Hobby Industry Inside vol.15: iJet Co., Ltd. talks about the "smart way" to deal with 3D printing services.

3D modeling using digital tools is becoming increasingly common, even for figures produced by individuals. However, most of the three-dimensional objects that end users have in their hands are still PVC finished products or resin kits, etc. Can't 3D printed products be sold as products as they are?

iJet Corporation, whose main business is 3D scanning and 3D printing services for companies, is also eager to produce character figures in full-color resin. We asked Mr. Masaru Kumehara, the representative of iJet, about "how individuals interact with 3D printing.

3D printable data is scarce in the world.

─ ─ When did you start 3D printing as your business?

Kumehara: In 2009, we purchased a 3D printer and started with a simple service: "Send us your 3D data, and we will print and deliver it to you. However, we realized that there was very little 3D data in the world that could be output in three dimensions, so we could not output 3D data as is. That is why we started 3D scanner and data production services. We need to do not only output but also input at the same time, otherwise we cannot do business. Currently, if you bring us an illustration or a punch picture, we can produce data that can be output.

─ So you have in-house 3D modelers, is that right?

Kumehara Yes, we have nine modelers. Also, 3D scanners are expensive, so we developed one in-house. It is for portraits, and the scan is completed in 50 seconds.

─ In the case of iJet, you also 3D print character figures, don't you? Do you model such items in-house?

Kumehara: We create output data in-house, and sometimes customers bring in data of copyrighted characters, such as game characters. However, game data is intended to be viewed on a monitor, so we need to modify the data to optimize it for output. Also, different printers have their own characteristics, such as being able to output thin data, or being able to output thin data but having it folded. We have the know-how to adjust 3D data for each printer.

─ Are the figures that companies ask you to output for sale?

KumeharaThey are not for sale as they are, but for prototypes or prototypes for mass production and sales.

─ ─ Are cats like this Setmono also 3D printed output products?

Kumehara: The surface is coated after printing. Even if you use a 100 million yen 3D printer, the finished product does not come out as is. Of course, when printing jigs and other tools that are not intended for appreciation, the finishing process is not necessary.

─ ─ Are these 3D maps for sale?

Kumehara Yes, they are for sale. They are called "3D Print Maps." Zenrin provides us with map data for car navigation systems, and after processing them for output, we print them on a full-color printer. The price range is from 9,800 yen to 140,000 yen depending on the size, and some individuals buy it. We are now preparing to start a project on "Kickstarter" (Kickstarter) to divide the entire Tokyo area of these "3D Print Maps" into 100 parts and allow people to buy just the parts they want. This is more of a project for overseas users.

─ ─ Do you receive requests from individuals for 3D scanning and printing?

Kumehara: We do not have many individual customers. Even if they do come, they are professional prototype designers who can create 3D data on their own.