Ricoh looks to Leapfrog into schools with 3D printers

Vendor aims at education market as it becomes reseller for Leapfrog 3D printers

Print vendor Ricoh has teamed up with Leapfrog 3D printers as it looks to take the technology into schools across the country.

From this month, Ricoh will become an official reseller of Leapfrog's Creatr HD 3D printer along with other models and will offer IT services, consultation, installation, training and support on top of the hardware.

The education sector is the duo's first priority, but the engineering and manufacturing sectors will also be targeted in time.

Ricoh claims its move into 3D printing is a "natural evolution" as it already has an established 3D printing division and acts as an OEM for a number of other 3D-printer makers.

"We also have a number of technologies in prototyping and moulding, in addition to its accumulated experience utilising 3D printers for its own product design processes over the past 20 years," it said.

Olivier Vriesendorp, director for product marketing at Ricoh Europe, said: "As 3D printer capabilities develop, Ricoh customers are beginning to evaluate the role that this potentially game-changing technology can play in their organisations.

"Today's announcement underlines Ricoh's next step in the development of Ricoh's 3D printing business in Europe. As customer demand for 3D print steadily increases, we will continue to evolve our products and services to meet their needs."