Exciting developments are underway in Raleigh as Ricoh, a leading global provider of digital services and print solutions, opens its new Manufacturing Center of Excellence on NC State’s Centennial Campus. This collaborative venture holds immense potential, especially for the Center for Additive Manufacturing and Logistics (CAMAL).
Partnering with NC State, Ricoh will focus on developing cutting-edge 3D printing technologies and applications. “Ricoh is bringing an exciting mix of industrial and medical applications,” remarked Ola Harrysson, Director of CAMAL. Carsten Bruhn, the CEO of Ricoh North America, stated, “We want to make sure we provide this kind of service to any hospital…most hospitals in the US can’t afford their own 3D print system.”
Ricoh’s establishment of this center also provides vital opportunities for CAMAL’s students to engage with real-world challenges alongside actual industry clients. Harrysson highlighted the importance: “Ricoh’s campus center will allow our students to work on real-world problems with real customers. This will be very valuable for the students when they apply for jobs upon graduation.”
Moreover, Ricoh’s inclusive approach extends beyond CAMAL, fostering partnerships with various academic departments across the university. “Ricoh is reaching out to other groups on campus, including the School of Design and the Environmental group in CCEE,” added Harrysson. This effort enhances interdisciplinary collaboration and enriches the learning experience for students while advancing research initiatives. Genevieve Garland, associate vice chancellor for research, reinforcing the mutual benefits, remarked, “Often there’s opportunities for them to work directly with our students. But then also for faculty research projects as well.”
Gary Turner, managing director of additive manufacturing at Ricoh, emphasized the transformative potential of the new center. “Ricoh’s new office on Centennial and the partnership with NC State will help manufacturers accelerate innovation and product development,” Turner affirmed. “As the applications for additive manufacturing grow, 3D printing will drive efficiencies for a range of industries.”
NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson lauds the alliance, recognizing its potential for advancing teaching, learning, and research. “We are proud to welcome Ricoh as the latest industry partner to join NC State’s Centennial Campus,” Woodson asserted. “This partnership enables opportunities for enhanced teaching and learning, as well as real-time insights into industry needs.”
The joint ventures between Ricoh and NC State aim to refine additive manufacturing processes and technologies, with ongoing collaborations anticipated to yield significant advancements. “CAMAL has collaborated with Ricoh for a couple of years on logistics-related projects pertaining to their AM business,” noted Harrysson. “This will continue, and it is anticipated that we will see more projects in this area.”
As the partnership continues to evolve, the focus remains on empowering students, advancing research and driving innovation. With Ricoh’s investment and NC State’s expertise, the future holds promising prospects for additive manufacturing and beyond.