Future Links April 20th
Here are our daily links with the most important news from the printing industry. Today they feature Boeing’s newest 3D printing patent application, productive partnerships between artists and printmakers, how managed print services can lead to growth, print marketing’s role in communicating with partners and clients, Dow Chemical’s new packaging technology for the Rio Olympics, 3D printing in the oil and gas industry and Mimaki’s organizational changes in the U.S.
Boeing files for patent to 3D print ice
The aircraft manufacturer Boeing has filed an application to the U.S. patent office for their process to 3D print artificial ice. Boeing is planning to use this unique 3D printing process to streamline the strict aircraft certification standards process at a greatly reduced cost. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and other international aeronautical certification entities require that all new aircraft can safely operate in the iciest of situations.
More at 3D Print
Artists partner with printmakers to add new dimensions to their work
When artist find the right printmaker to work with, the partnership can elevate the work to a new level. The International Print Center New York that celebrates its 15th anniversary this year is committed to connecting artists and master printers. For some, such a partnership can result in groundbreaking innovations, which might set an artist off in entirely new directions.
More at Christie’s
How Managed Print Services can lead to growth in shrinking markets
An article on CRN analyses the impact managed print services (MPS) have on the enterprise and SMB market. Bob Palmer, an analyst for research firm IDC, said that over the past decade, printer manufacturers have been steering most of their enterprise-market sales toward MPS and gained revenue by charging per page for all printers. However, Palmer added, MPS promotes print reduction through device consolidation, rules-based printing and stricter printing controls, and that reduction, combined with new paperless document technology and green campaigns, has led enterprise clients to print less, shrinking the market and making it harder to find growth.
More at CRN
Print marketing is more than ads and direct mail
Print marketing is still a major part of most companies’ communication with partners and clients. That does not mean that every company sends out flyers or buys print ads in magazines. Print marketing also includes business cards, corporate letterheads, product brochures and envelopes. All these forms of print marketing can considerably influence the way a company is perceived.
More at SWNS
Dow’s new packaging technology developed for Rio Olympic Games
As the Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Games and the Official Carbon Partner of Rio 2016, The Dow Chemical Company has launched a new Microfoaming Technology for the packaging industry in Latin America. The project is part of a comprehensive Dow program focused on mitigating the carbon footprint of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
More at Sustainable Brands
Shell uses 3D printing for oil and gas project in Mexico
Knowledge and convictions about the power of 3D printing is reaching the oil and gas industry. The Dutch oil and gas multinational Shell has just revealed that they have been relying on 3D printers to successfully prototype the deepest drilling station in the world: the Stones oil and gas station in the US portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Shell engineers prototyped the whole system in miniature through 3D printing.
More at 3ders
Mimaki USA announces organizational changes
Mimaki USA, a manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and cutters, has named Mr. Yasuhiro Haba president of Mimaki USA. He will be responsible for the leadership of Mimaki throughout the Americas. Mimaki also created a USA Business Planning Division, which will be responsible for sales and operations in the Americas. Additionally, the U.S. sales group moves to a regional structure.
More at Ink World Magazine