Editor's Pick: Production 3D Printing System Establishes a Community of Innovation Partners

Dear DE Reader:

Sometimes our Editor’s Pick of the Week is innovative software, sometimes it is new hardware. Occasionally we profile an engineering service. This week we get to do it all and more. A new 3D printing system that just launched is more than just a production-ready 3D printer—it is the centerpiece of an entire ecosystem of hardware, software and services. And to borrow the cliché. . . but wait, there’s more! This is why the HP Jet Fusion 5200 Series 3D Printing Production System is our Editor’s Pick of the Week. 

HP has quickly risen from the ranks of “we have some ideas about how to reinvent 3D printing” to become a major industry player. HP’s Jet Fusion (MJF) technology works line by line, not point by point as in other 3D printing methods. MJF allows for faster cooling and increased automation of post-processing compared to selective laser sintering (SLS), HP says. MJF allows almost 90% of recovered powder to be recycled, compared to around 50% for typical SLS printers. The combination allows for shorter lead times in production, as it is less important to have a full print bin to operate at peak efficiency. 

The Jet Fusion 5200 printer is a refinement of previous models, which established the utility of MJF technology. Now HP offers a complete volume production platform. There is the printer, a Build Unit, a Natural Cooling Unit and a Processing station. These four HP products work as a unified system. They can be enhanced further with new products designed specifically for the 5200 system from Hovmand (a forklift for the Natural Cooling Unit) and Girbau (a dyeing station). 

The 5200 Production System is more than interconnected hardware parts. HP has announced the new HP Digital Manufacturing Network, a global community of production partners. The team of proven services providers can help HP customers with plastic and metal 3D production. First members of the Network include Jabil, Materialise, GKN Powder Metallurgy, and GoProto.  

HP has also teamed up with software and materials partners. There are strategic alliances with SIemens (Digital Enterprise software portfolio); Materialise (Build Processor and Magics 3D Print Suite); and BASF (certified materials). Custom software integrations come from Autodesk Netfabb and Siemens NX AM for HP MJF. There is also new software from HP for the 5200 system; you can read the details in today’s Product Brief.

But wait, there’s more! We mentioned the alliance with BASF but didn’t tell you about their new material for the 5200. Ultrasint is a certified thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) made for flexible and elastic parts. HP and BASF are working closely with 3D services provider Sculpteo on new applications for Ultrasint. This new TPU makes a nice addition to the existing materials line, the high reusability PA-12, PA-12 Glass Beads and PA-11 thermoplastic materials.  

These highlights only scratch the surface; be sure to read the Product Brief for in-depth descriptions of every aspect of the HP Jet Fusion 5200 Series 3D Printing Production System.

Thanks for reading; we’ll see you next week with another Editor’s Pick of the Week. 

—The DE Editors