Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I) is among the growing number of companies currently outside of the 3D printing industry looking to get into the middle of it. While it would seem natural for 2D printer manufacturers, like HP and Epson, to explore their 3D printing potential, other, farther removed firms have joined the fray, such as investment firm Puget Technologies. And now Zecotek, which produces medical imaging systems, 3D displays, and lasers, has announced its intention to launch their own 3D printer.
Zecotek is partnering with Greek-Armenian research firm LT-Pyrkal, a previous partner on the company’s “glasses free, auto-stereoscopic, multi-view, HD 3D display”, to produce a 3D printer that is meant to challenge those already on the market. Chairman, President and CEO of Zecotek Photonics Inc., Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, explained the company’s venture into the world of 3D printing, saying, “By combining our vast experience in laser technology and high precision electro-mechanical devices Zecotek and LT-Pyrkal are exploring novel designs for a compact and high speed 3D printer. Our technical expertise has allowed our partnership to explore new and more efficient methods of printing 3 dimensional objects with a large spectrum of materials. We are testing components of a compact, high speed 3D printer to be used in rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing, as well as the associated software interface and look forward to working with LT-Pyrkal to move this project forward.”
The company’s intent is that their new machine will be used for pretty much anything that current industrial 3D printers are used for, including “prototyping and distributed manufacturing with applications in many industries including dental, medical, biotech, architecture, industrial design, aerospace, military, civil engineering, and geographic information systems.” After making the announcement last Thursday, the company’s share prices jumped from $.88 CAD to $.94 CAD, but has since fallen back down to $.89 CAD as of this writing. When the firm officially launches its 3D printer, we’ll see how their stock manages with the rest riding the 3D printing wave and, more to the point, see if it lives up to this introduction — making the same things, but better and faster.
Source: WSJ
