HP has announced that its Multi Jet Fusion range will receive a hardware and firmware upgrade.
At an undisclosed price and with technical specifications pending, the HP 4210 is a 3D printing system that can be used on the 4200 system.
Like the award-winning 3D printers from HP, the Jet Fusion 4210 printing system is aimed at industrial 3D printing. The upgrade will incorporate an MultiJet Fusion printer, along with a processing station. The Jet Fusion 3D 4210 can be used on an existing 3D 4200
Concurrently, HP has expanded its Open Materials Platform by announcing two new commercial partnerships, and three new forthcoming materials.
Upgraded and updated
The HP Jet Fusion 3D 4210 hardware and firmware upgrades are designed to improve the overall efficiency and enable continuous print operation.
Also included in the system is a new processing station capable of handling higher volumes of material.
HP have re-iterated their intention to lower overall operating costs while increasing production volumes. The company claims a break-even point for large-scale 3D manufacturing of “up to 110,000 parts,” meaning that the average cost of 3D printing 110,000 parts or fewer matches or is more affordable than traditional manufacturing options.
Announcing a “technological and economic inflection point” in HP’s MultiJet 3D printing systems, Ramon Pastor, General Manager of Multi Jet Fusion stated that “the new 3D 4210 Printing Solution enables our customers to mass-produce parts using HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology for 65% less than other processes.”
This is a message that has not gone uncontested by others in the 3D printing world.
Customers for the new solution will also benefit from shared service contracts and ‘significantly lower’ pricing on HP’s engineering-grade 3D printing materials and agents.
Open materials
As part of its Open Materials Platform, HP has announced new materials partnerships with the Dressler Group, a thermoplastic powder manufacturer, and Lubrizol, a producer of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).
As part of the deal, the materials manufacturers will be given access to HP’s Open Materials and Applications Lab and its research tools to develop materials under the HP brand beyond the currently limited range of materials.
Also currently developing materials for MultiJet 3D printing, are Dow Chemical and DSM, by making use of HP’s Material Development Kit (MDK). This follow’s Henkel’s use of the MDK earlier this year.
The three new MultiJet materials set to be offered by HP are the 3D High Reusability PA 11, PA 12 Glass Beads, and High Reusability Polypropylene. The final material due to be available is the chemical resistant, lightweight, and watertight 3D High Reusability Polypropylene.
We received a sample box of HP 3D printing materials at 3D Printing Industry HQ earlier this week, and while Henry Ford’s “any color” adage still holds true – in the main – the pack does provide further illustration of the possibilities of Multi Jet Fusion. Including several post processing options.
Nylon PA 11 offers impact resistance and ductility, while the High PA 12 Glass Beads material promises dimensional stability and high repeatability. The HP 3D High Reusability Polypropylene offers chemical resistant, lightweight, and watertight qualities.
Pre-order and order availability
Existing Jet Fusion customers are able to pre-order the 4210 3D printing upgrade today, while new customers can purchase Jet Fusion systems now with the option to pre-order the 4210 system upgrade. The entire system will be commercially available in March 2018, prices and technical specifications are expected to be available prior to this date.
Featured image shows the installation of HP Jet Fusion 3D 4210 printer systems. Photo via HP.
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