The deal will allow Kyocera exposure of the 3D Systems range to Danwood’s 13,000 clients across the UK. Kyocera has been distributing 3D Systems products since signing an agreement in March.
Danwood will sell 3D Systems’ ProJet and CubePro ranges, primarily to three key sectors: education, design and property.
Danwood group strategy and marketing director Douglas Greenwell, said the CubePro allowed for quick prototyping and was ideal for education clients, from primary through to further education. Danwood has more than 2,000 of these across the UK, he said.
The design sector, most obviously in architecture, was likely to use ProJet machines, Greenwell said. The property sector too is a target, with large managing and estate agents like DTZ and Knight Frank using 3D printers for marketing and visualisation.
Greenwell added: “3D printing is seeing rapid adoption across the world and the technology has the potential to revolutionise UK manufacturing.”
He said he did not “see huge demand just yet” from Danwood’s 1,000-plus commercial paper and print customers, to which it supplies a professional print range.
“This market is really starting to explode. In five years’ time I think 3D printing will be a lot more prevalent. We’ll start to see a consumer revolution; you’ll see a lot more homes that have them.
"We’re starting to see a crossover with consumer-based technology. And facilities management organisations use these sorts of products, to build a widget that’s broken, for example.”
Callprint and Hobs Reprographics are among the UK print companies that have established 3D printing divisions.
In February Canon Europe announced its own distribution agreement with 3D Systems.
Reading-based technology market analyst firm Canalys has estimated the worldwide 3D printing market will be worth $16.2bn (£10.6bn) by 2018.
The CubePro, which uses plastic jet printing, a solid-based rapid prototyping method that extrudes material layer by layer. ProJet uses colour jet printing.
Kyocera marketing director Nigel Allen said: “Kyocera’s partnership with 3D Systems offers market-leading products to any businesses considering 3D printing.
“By partnering with Danwood we can ensure users can benefit from a high level of service support, enabling them to make the most of their investment and stay ahead of the technological curve to differentiate from competitors.”
