HP Automation Solutions Advance 3D Printing Path to Production at Scale

At RAPID+TCT, HP Inc. (Booth 4618) announced new automation solutions, and expanded materials, software and services to help customers scale 3D printed parts production, the company says. HP has also promoted several of its current Digital Manufacturing Network (DMN) members to its group of HP Digital Manufacturing Partners (DMP).

In addition, Endeavor 3D, a contract manufacturer and one of the new DMPs, is adding Metal Jet capabilities to its existing Multi Jet Fusions (polymers) manufacturing services.

“Companies large and small, in markets around the world, are turning to 3D printing for faster, more flexible, more personalized, and more resilient and sustainable production,” says Didier Deltort, president of Personalization & 3D Printing, HP Inc. “It’s promising to see the development of so many game-changing 3D printed applications across automotive, consumer, healthcare, and industrial, but to disrupt industries, these parts must be manufactured at scale. To help our customers scale effectively and efficiently, HP remains laser focused on delivering industrial hardware, supplies, software, and services supporting the entirety of the digital production workflow from application design to final parts production.”

Automating Production Workflows

To help simplify increasingly complex workflows, HP is introducing two new automation solutions for Multi Jet Fusion customers.

• HP Jet Fusion 3D Powder Handling Automation Solution: a pneumatically connected, closed-loop material processing system to provide more efficient material flow, and enable operational traceability.
• HP Jet Fusion 3D Automation Accessory: designed for high-volume production demands, provides automatic build unit exchange for two consecutive prints without requiring manual support. The Accessory is automation-ready for integration into factory configurations with Autonomous Mobile Robots.

HP is working with partner Siemens on a proof-of-concept demonstration. The concept features HP’s two new automation products integrated with Siemens Automation Hardware and industrial Software, for example Siemens SIMOVE for Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) in flexible Production Systems. The project is active in the Barcelona-based DFactory, a hub for HP collaboration with partners and customers on R&D, application development and production use cases.

Expanded Materials, Software and Services

HP is developing or partnering on materials, software, services and post-processing solutions. The company works closely on materials development with partners including Arkema, BASF, Evonik and Lubrizol. This includes general availability of the new ESTANE 3D M88A TPU, a flexible material that enables complex geometries and lattice structures.

HP is offering a portfolio of software products within its HP Digital Production Suite and is collaborating with other software providers to integrate Factory IT and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) solutions. The HP Digital Production Suite now features expanded software products designed to help customers develop metals applications more quickly and easily. 

• HP 3D Digital Sintering: AI-enhanced simulation of the sintering process provides feedback on the outcome of a sintered part and enables application engineers to pre-compensate the part geometry to improve the dimensional accuracy of the output. 
• HP 3D Process Development: democratizes process development and gives customers insight into the science of Metal Jet through access to open process parameters and build report.

HP Digital Production Services provides customers access to a variety of Professional and Financial Services. HP Professional Services includes support for design, application development and 3D printing factory setup. HP Financial Services leverages partner programs to provide flexible financing and business models, including leasing and subscription options.

HP is also collaborating across the post-processing ecosystem to ensure customers have access to a broad range of alternatives from providers including AM Flow, AMT, DyeMansion, and Rösler Group AM Solutions

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.