3D Systems was very quick to go on the record on Wednesday with a formal response to the press launch of HP Inc’s new Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printer, slated for commercial release in 2016.
Stratasys has now also responded and given me a direct, on the record response, copied here for your perusal and consideration.
It is attributed directly to David Reis and, on this occasion, it’s a tad vague, to say the least. However, if I’ve learnt anything about Stratasys over the years, they keep their cards very close to their chest, until they’ve got something to shout about and then they tend to do it in style.
I also know that when it comes to inkjet technology (2D and 3D) Stratasys, courtesy of Objet’s PolyJet technology and historic partnerships, has bucket loads of R&D (and patents) going on in this area, it’s been on going for years, so don’t be surprised if, come 2016, there’s a toe to toe battle going on.
On a less competitive note, I also came across this, a formal response from the iMaterialise team on their blog:
“All of us at Materialise would like to congratulate HP on their newly-revealed 3D printer! We look forward to collaborating with them to bring meaningful applications to users.”
And a well-timed plug from CEO, Fried Vancraen:
“The new HP technology will be an ideal match with the many functionalities and features that the Magics platform has to offer. We all like to imagine a world where color, textures, internal structures are being combined into customized products that we can’t even yet dare dream of. However, this comes at the expense of huge requirements for data size and handling. The Magics platform is capable of handling those challenges. The huge productivity of the announced machine will also require efficient data and process management, and again, our Streamics software is up to the job.”
You gotta love the 3D printing industry.
Tried to refrain from commenting but seeing all the DDD investors in the other post makes me chuckle. Boys ( because it will be, as they are probably typing the responses in their man caves), sell up now. You had a good run if you bought low. From here on in the share price will be heading downhill faster than a chalet girl chasing a ski instructor. HP have the clout to wipe both big players off the map.
That machine is not a consumer device, it is a professional printer, targeting squarely the core cash cow markets of both. Hard to tell from the photos but if it even prints 5x faster than Objet then bye bye Stratasys. They only response both players have now is to cut prices on capital purchase, materials and introduce proper warranty. Because that is exactly what HP will do.
Dont believe me? Cast your minds back a few years to when HP rebadged the U Print. Cheaper. More availability. HP Care Pack warranty. Materials by the reel ( not the 5 pack). When that all fell through, and Stratasys took over again…big price increases across the board, no equivalent HP warranty.
Bury your head in the sands if you want, but this is the biggest news in the industry in years.
totally agree with kevin, hp will be absolutely a game changer in the 3dp industry. just think about numbers: stratasys about 5 billion, 3dssytems about 4, hp about 66!!! they won’t have any real competitors in any scene, although I feel still sceptcp about their desktop setup (spark), imo it’s a useless and expensive toy just like leonardo or stuff like that. but i hope that hp will spin up the evolution of additive manufactureing techniques, this kind of competition will only benefit the maker community! so go on, looking forward to the next developments! btw, one of my favorite articles of Rachel, this theme will be a milestone in the book of 3dpi industry.
Yes HP can change the game but the others don’t have to play the game, the way that HP plays. How is the game defined?
If this game also presupposes open source community, which cannot be delineated, then all the existing small & big companies in the 3D printing industry; 3D printer manufacturers with the existing technologies, Materials manufacturers, Software companies, with their web of relationships can never ever be swept aside by HP.
HP certainly brings weight and clout however if you look at their ability to execute it’s been a shaky story (just ask any of their past CEOs). They certainly have brought us all cheap desktop and laser printers – except of course for consumables.
But, entering into the manufacturing space. This is not HP’s strength. Their distribution channel is not built for 3DP nor are they internally designed to handle that market with 3DP. It’s possible that they resolve many of these issues. Who knows, they may even put out an offer to buy all of SSYS or 3DS.
In the meantime, they are only about 5 years behind everyone else.
Everyone is excited about HP’s triple jet. Eh – SSYS has been doing this for several years now. HP has a long way to go in terms of truly matching up. Their name will get them in the door but will it seal the deal. We’ll see.
Kevin Shayne
Director of Marketing
CADD Edge
http://www.caddedge.com