WHATS Seminar Vol. 254 [Online] titled above will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026

[Seminar Overview]

• 2:30 PM – 3:20 PM

Toward the Era of Distributed Manufacturing: The Polarizing 3D Printer Market
— Emerging Trends in Distributed Production and High-Value Manufacturing

Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience with 3D printing, this session provides a comprehensive overview of how the market has evolved.

This perspective is based on hands-on experience in manufacturing operations, the development of CAD/CAM software for industry, and the founding of a 3D printing startup.

Since the 3D printer boom around 2012, characterized by “prototype-focused use with proprietary materials,” the field has expanded into full-scale production. The market is now polarizing into two directions: distributed manufacturing (via widespread adoption of small machines) and centralized, high-value-added manufacturing (for industrial applications).
The session will also explore future prospects, including the shift toward open materials, the transition from Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) to Design with Additive Manufacturing (DwAM), and new processes such as AM² (hybrid additive manufacturing + milling).

Key Topics

1. Structural Changes in the 3D Printer Market

• Rapid growth of small personal 3D printers (driving decentralization)
• Increasing sophistication of industrial machines (application-specific optimization)
• Transition from “prototyping” to “production” use cases

2. Polarizing Manufacturing Models and New Competitive Dynamics

• Emergence of distributed microfactories (small, localized production units)
• Evolution of centralized, high-value-added manufacturing
• The rise of a “drone vs. fighter jet” structure (i.e., low-cost, flexible systems vs. highly specialized, high-performance systems)

3. New Value Created by Materials and Processes (ExtraBold Initiatives)

• Advantages of large-format pellet-based 3D printers
• Sustainable materials (recycled and bio-based materials)
• Manufacturing innovation through AM² (hybrid additive manufacturing + milling), reflecting the shift from DfAM to DwAM

4. Future Outlook for Next-Generation Manufacturing

• Hybrid models combining distributed and centralized production
• Integration with AI and digital design technologies
• Evolution of manufacturing toward a circular economy
   

Speaker:  Yuji Hara, CEO, ExtraBold Inc.

After gaining experience in prototyping operations at a major telecommunications equipment manufacturer, Mr. Hara moved to a company developing 3D CAD/CAM software, where he served as head of development. He later worked in manufacturing at a group company of a machine tool manufacturer and went on to found several startups related to 3D technologies.
Leveraging approximately 40 years of experience in digital manufacturing, he established ExtraBold Inc. in 2017. The company develops large-scale 3D printers capable of using recycled materials and promotes the realization of a material-recycling-oriented society through 3D printing technologies.

 

• 3:20 PM – 3:30 PM

Q&A Session

[Seminar Outline]

Date and Time: 2:30PM –3:30 PM (JST), Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Venue: Online Live Streaming

The seminar will be live-streamed through "Deliveru", an online streaming platform provided by Facio Inc.

Fee: 5,000 yen (tax excluded) / 5,500 yen (tax included)
How to Participate:

• After completing your registration, we will send your access ID the day before the seminar.
• The live stream will be hosted on Deliveru, the event streaming platform by Facio Inc. Please click here to log in.
• Recommended System Requirements (in Japanese)
• Test Video Viewing Page
• FAQ

Registration:

 Registration For the Seminar

(You will jump to the registration page in Japanese.)

For inquiries in English, please click here.

Registration Deadline: 5:00 p.m. (JST), Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Notes:

・This seminar will be conducted in Japanese.
・After your registration, we will send an invoice by E-mail or postal mail.
・Please transfer the participation fee by the day before the event or within one week of receiving the invoice.
・Cancellations will not be accepted after payment.
・This seminar can also be registered via Deliveru, with payment options including credit card, convenience store payment, and Pay-easy.
​・Please note that participation may be restricted depending on the registrant’s industry or job function.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations made after 3:00 p.m. (JST) on the business day before the event or on the day of the event without prior notice will incur a full participation fee charge, regardless of payment status.

Contact:

For inquiries in English, please click here.
Yano Research Institute Ltd.