HP Promises Metal 3D Printing Announcement in 2018

HP's Dion Weisler introduces the company's Multi Jet Fusion 3D printer technology in 2014.

The company, which in 2013 first announced its intent to enter the plastic 3D printing market, made good on that promise with the release of its MultiJet Fusion 3D printer in 2016. Along the way, HP appointed Steve Nigro to head the 3D printing business and partnered with several industry heavyweights, including Autodesk, Johnson & Johnson, and, most recently, Siemens.

Details were scarce on the metal 3D printing front. The company did not say what the "novel" technology it plans to use entailed, nor would it provide a price range for the metal 3D printing solution. Nigro did say the launch would transform metal 3D printing by making it more mainstream and high-volume. The company said it was making the announcement yesterday so it could begin talking with potential customers about 3D printing metal objects.

The company also made a few announcements that seemed closer to bearing fruit, such as a less expensive version of its existing 3D printers and a full-color 3D printer tailored for small- and medium-sized product development teams, design firms and universities that is coming to market in 2018.

For an overview of HP's Jet Fusion 3D printing process, watch the company's video below.

For more information, visit HP or watch the HP Securities Analyst Meeting webinar.