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3D Printing On-Demand

Staples stores in the Netherlands and Belgium will begin offering 3D printing services early this year. Known as “Staples Easy 3D” the new service will allow customers to take advantage of rapid-prototyping – for customized parts, prototypes, and architectural or medical models, for example – without the expense of investing in a printer of their own.

Staples will be using the Mcor IRIS printer which is capable of over a million colors with 5760 x 1440 x 508 dpi resolution. The printer cuts standard paper to form layers 0.1mm thick, and then glues them together to produce a model that’s nearly as hard as wood.

Expect more companies to offer remote 3D printing services.

For information: Mcor Technologies, Unit 1, IDA Business Park, Ardee Road, Dunleer, Co. Louth, Ireland; phone: +363-41-686-2800; Web site: mcortechnologies.com

Staples, Inc. 500 Staples Drive, Framingham, MA 01702; phone: 508-253-5000; fax: 508-253-1111; Web site: www.staples.com

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