HP Boosts 3D Printing Mass Production

HP announced new and expanded installations of its HP Jet Fusion 3D printing solutions for production-grade 3D manufactured parts. HP showcased new applications across the transportation, industrial, medical and consumer sectors, including new PA-11 applications, and initial customers of its new HP Jet Fusion 3D 300 / 500 solutions. HP also announced a design-to-print workflow with Autodesk to enable generative design capabilities across the entire HP Multi Jet Fusion portfolio, as well as new online resources to accelerate mass production for customers and resellers.

“HP is accelerating the shift to 3D mass production, enabling an exciting array of applications helping customers improve their businesses as we enter the 4th Industrial Revolution. Many industries such as automotive, which is going through its biggest transformation in more than 100 years, are looking to new technologies and strategic partners like HP to help them better compete in this time of change,” says Christoph Schell, president of 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing, HP Inc. “We are working with innovators across the globe to change the way they design and manufacture with HP Multi Jet Fusion and our new Metal Jet platform, unlocking new applications, more manufacturing flexibility, and greater innovation, efficiency and sustainability across their product development lifecycle.”

Expansion of 3D Printing for Mass Production  

HP is working closely with new and existing digital manufacturing partners around the world as they expand their HP Multi Jet Fusion fleets.  

RecTech 3D, a China-based industrial contract manufacturer, is expanding into a full-fledged industrial Additive Manufacturing Center in Chongqing, providing a variety of 3D production services. RecTech 3D will begin by installing 10 HP Jet Fusion 3D 4210 solutions in its Additive Manufacturing Center in early 2019, and plans to quickly ramp up to at least 30 HP 3D printing systems by the end of 2019.

Forecast 3D, a U.S.-based provider of 3D printed parts for more than two decades, has now deployed 24 HP Jet Fusion 3D 4210 systems in their digital factory.

GE Transportation is a global technology provider and supplier of equipment, services and solutions to the rail, mining, marine, stationary power and drilling industries. GE Transportation will use HP Jet Fusion 3D printing solutions in its John F. Welch Technology Center in Bangalore, India, to produce industrial parts for various applications in mining vehicles and locomotives.

New HP Multi Jet Fusion Applications

With its expanded solutions and materials portfolio, there are many new Multi Jet Fusion applications across the transportation, industrial, medical and consumer industries. A few examples in the transportation sector include:

BMW Group is using HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200 solutions to manufacture the window guide rail for the BMW i8 Roadster:
“Using our automotive standards and HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology our manufacturing team is able to produce durable, reliable final parts such as the window guide rail for our BMW i8 Roadster,” says Dr. Dominik Rietzel, head of non-metal Additive Manufacturing at the BMW Group. “In the past decade, we are proud to have produced more than one million 3D printed parts, and it’s fitting that one of these window guide rails was identified as the one-millionth part printed. Complex parts that require reliable functionality and a small footprint are a perfect example of the power of additive manufacturing and together with partners such as HP we are excited about the possibilities ahead.”

Volkswagen Group is taking advantage of HP’s 3D printing technology for both metal and plastics applications. By the end of the year, 100% of the tools used to manufacture the new T-Cross SUV will be printed using HP Multi Jet Fusion technology. Volkswagen is also integrating HP Metal Jet into its long-term design and production roadmap starting with the manufacturing of mass-customizable parts such as individualized key rings and exterior-mounted name plates.

HP and Autodesk Drive Generative Design

HP and Autodesk launched an integrated end-to-end additive design to print workflow for HP’s Multi Jet Fusion platform. Autodesk Fusion 360’s generative design capabilities can be used to develop optimized designs for HP Multi Jet Fusion technology, enabling faster, more creative design cycles from prototyping through production. Penumbra Engineering is leveraging this joint innovation to design ultrasonic sensing devices with accuracy and durability for companies such as Perceptive Sensor Technologies. In addition, Autodesk’s Netfabb provides support for a full-range of HP Jet Fusion 3D printers.

As part of HP’s effort to lead the transformation to digital manufacturing, it is also offering new online resources for partners and customers seeking to accelerate their journey to mass production with HP’s 3D printing solutions. These resources include:

I-AM Digital Talent Platform: HP is offering its ecosystem access to its digital career growth platform for additive manufacturing. i-AM Digital helps connect employers with an engaged talent pool and also features case studies, informal learning and training courses for those looking to break into the industry.

3D ExchangeNet (3DX):  HP is a foundational sponsor of this marketplace focused on helping 3D printing businesses identify growth capital, investment or buyout opportunities. 3DX also offers resources to help businesses develop strategic partnerships and training programs.

Sources: Press materials received from the company.

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