Japan’s B1 Terra Drone to Be Mass Produced

Despite its industrial might and precision engineering excellence, Japan has been rather aloof to 3D printing over the past decades. Despite an early start by companies such as Teijin Seiki (now part of Nabtesco), Mitsubishi, NTT Data, Mitsui Zosen, Kira, and Sony, the country seemed to have lost interest. That’s a shame, given the nation’s pioneering work and the fact that the first Japanese 3D Printer, the CMET SOUP, came out in 1998.

But we are seeing a resurgence of 3D printing by Japan Inc. Japanese machine tool manufacturers persist, while TDK bought Fabric8Labs and Sodick bought Prima, which is now called Altform. Now we’re seeing Japanese firms move into 3D printing drones as well. Terra Drone to deliver its Terra B1 for Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA). U