Dentsu Inc. and Kabuku Collaborate in Digital Fabrication Field

Supporting open innovation manufacturing utilizing 3D printers

On September 25, Dentsu Inc. announced a business partnership with Kabuku (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) to collaborate on product development and commercialization support ^{through digital fabrication※1}, as well as promotion activities. Concurrently, Dentsu Inc. will launch a group-wide project team, "Dentsu 3D = D3D," effective October 1, to tackle the 3D printer market.

Under its vision of "Democratizing Manufacturing," Dentsu Inc. ^{operates rinkak※2,} a marketplace providing manufacturing and sales environments utilizing 3D printers. Aligning with Kabuku's vision of realizing open manufacturing where anyone can become a creator or seller, Dentsu Inc. will collaborate with Kabuku to develop new solutions supporting "open innovation-based manufacturing." These solutions will be offered to client companies, supporting efforts to spread Japanese manufacturing globally.

Specifically, the two companies will collaborate in the following three areas:

1. Building regional manufacturing supply chains and proposing new concepts

• Building the "Regional Manufacturing Cloud," a nationwide 3D printer manufacturing network linking local governments and factories based on the rinkak platform.
• Support product creation through co-creation with domestic and international creators by integrating the excellent finishing techniques and traditional craftsmanship of local small and medium-sized manufacturing companies with 3D printing.
• Support products in gaining recognition and sales in the global market.

 

2. Collaboration with Companies

• Supporting ideation for product and service development utilizing corporate technologies and seed assets, proposing and building business models, and facilitating carve-outs (business separation and independence).
• Drives beta version development, hardware prototyping, and mass customization.

 

3. Collaboration with Local Governments and Educational Institutions

• Promote cutting-edge learning and new manufacturing using 3D printers, along with awareness and educational activities.
• Conduct workshops and contests to discover talent and foster networking.

 

Dentsu Inc. provides consulting for new business development using digital fabrication, planning and proposal of products/services, sales support, and advertising communication services for client companies. Kabuku provides a manufacturing platform, introduces more advanced 3D printers, offers an extensive 3D printer network, and develops new printing materials and software.

※1 Digital fabrication refers to manufacturing using digital fabrication equipment (such as 3D printers and CNC [Computerized Numerical Control] machine tools), encompassing methods like rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing that enable high-speed product development and mass production processes.
※2 "rinkak" ( http://www.rinkak.com ) is a marketplace for new manufacturing using digital fabrication technologies like 3D printers. Users can upload 3D data to rinkak and have their products manufactured and sold using high-performance manufacturing equipment. Products are manufactured on-demand per order, allowing creators to sell products starting from just one unit without holding inventory. Regarding materials, works can be produced using diverse materials beyond common plastics, including ceramics, metals, and rubber.

Kabuku Company Overview

• Company Name: Kabuku Inc.
• Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Representative: Masahiko Inada (President and CEO)
• Established: January 2013
• Website: http://www.kabuku.co.jp/
• Business Overview: Kabuku develops products and services that integrate hardware, software, and design, with digital manufacturing technology as its core technology. It also conducts cutting-edge research and awareness activities related to digital manufacturing technology. Furthermore, in its digital manufacturing solutions business, it provides one-stop services from planning to product development and manufacturing, utilizing not only 3D printer-based technologies but all forms of digital technology.