Roland DG creates DGShape: Launches new automated mill with disc changer plus new 3D printer

Roland DG Corporation is transfering its 3D business - consisting of the development and sales of 3D milling machines, 3D printers, engraving machines and photo impact printers - to a newly-established, wholly-owned subsidiary, DGSHAPE Corporation from April 3, 2017.

Since introducing the world's first desktop-sized 3D milling machine in 1986, Roland DG has developed a variety of innovative digital technologies with the mission of helping people "turn their imagination into reality". Acclaimed worldwide for their compact size, ease-of-use and affordability, Roland DG 3D products are used for a wide range of applications from creating product prototypes and educating students in product design to crafting custom items and one-off gifts, right down to items and crafts made by individual hobbyists.

In 2010, Roland DG leveraged its 3D milling technology to introduce the DWX series dental milling machines used for fabricating dental prostheses such as crowns, copings and bridges. The DWX series soon gained recognition among dental labs worldwide for their precision, user-friendliness, robust reliability and open system. Today, the DWX series has become a major growth engine for Roland DG's 3D business, accounting for 60% of sales in that segment.

Widely known for market leadership in wide-format inkjet printers and faced with significant changes throughout its 3D product portfolio, Roland DG determined that the best approach for increasing visibility for its growing 3D business would be to spin it off as an autonomous company. DGSHAPE will provide further value throughout the dental market by developing marketing channels with dedicated sales and marketing teams, bringing fresh technical innovation to digital fabrication tools and developing solutions based on the open system concept.

In addition to the dental industry, DGSHAPE will explore business opportunities in the medical field with a medical instrument traceability and maintenance support system. DGSHAPE intends to look for further possibilities in the healthcare field in the future by integrating the skills and know-how cultivated through its efforts in the dental and medical fields. DGSHAPE will also continue to provide innovative 3D products and solutions for the prototyping, education, personalisation, fabrication and hobby fields, as well as evolve the existing business for 3D digital fabrication tools to be a strategic platform for generating new products and businesses. For now, sales, service and support for DGSHAPE will continue to be handled by Roland DG.

About Roland DG Corporation

Roland DG Corporation is a leading manufacturer of products designed to help professionals transform their imagination into reality including SOLJET, TrueVIS, VersaCAMM, VersaUV and Texart series large-format inkjet devices, MDX milling and EGX engraving machines, CAMM-1 and STIKA vinyl cutters and MPX photo impact printers. In 2010, the company entered the healthcare market with DWX milling machines designed specifically for creating high-quality dental prosthetics. Roland DG also recently introduced a series of desktop 3D printers. The company uses its proprietary cell production technology to manufacture products that are distributed worldwide.