RIZE Broadens its Business Model With Materials Deal

RIZE Inc. is branching beyond its comfort zone, striking a deal with Sindoh Co. Ltd. to allow the South Korean 3D manufacturer to incorporate the RIZUM portfolio of materials in its 3D printer line.

RIZE, which touts its sustainable and safe industrial 3D printing technology, is best known for its Rize One hybrid 3D printer and ZRIZE, its full color, carbon 3D printer. In addition to its own hardware solutions, RIZE also pioneered the RIZIUM filaments, a family of engineering-grade polymers that also conform to USP Class VI specifications for plastics, making them safe for use in the manufacturing of medical devices. The RIZIUM portfolio of materials, which includes the base RIZUM One; RIZIUM Carbon, an engineering-grade thermoplastic reinforced with carbon fiber; and a forthcoming glass fiber composite option; are all characterized as zero emissions, making them a stand out for sustainability applications, according to officials.

RIZIUM’s combination of durability, moisture resistance, and zero emissions capabilities drew the attention of Sindoh, which has a strong presence in the industrial and education sectors. The company will be incorporating the RIZIUM portfolio of materials into its desktop 2X and industrial 7X printers. The large-format 7X, targeted at industrial use cases with a 380 x 390 x 450 mm build size, will give customers the option of using the RIZUM filament-based engineering-grade extruded polymers for creating industrial-strength, highly durable end-use parts. The 2X compact model in Sindoh’s 3DWOX line will target the education market, a segment RIZE says is ripe for more sustainable 3D printing options.

RIZIUM materials address a number of problems end users of FDM 3D printers typically encounter, including issues surrounding moisture absorption as well as environmental hazards. A study published by UL and the Georgia Institute of Technology found that many desktop 3D printers release VOCs and other particles into the air, which is a health hazard. RIZIUM materials address those concerns with its zero emissions certification.

“We are the first and only 3D printer to achieve the UL 2904 GREENGUARD certification,” says Andy Kalambi, CEO of RIZE. “Sindoh has a significant presence in education and we believe that market really needs safety.”

Given that RIZE is focused on industrial applications and doesn’t offer a printer at the price point of the Sindoh offerings, the company saw potential to expand its markets, Kalambi says. “People see us only as a printer company, but we want to help them understand that we are also a materials science company,” he says. “What we’d like to do through this alliance is offer our materials portfolio in a way that will reach a bigger cross section of users.”

Watch this video to learn more about RIZE’s end-to-end manufacturing process.