HP Multi Jet Fusion and HP Metal Jet technology is giving industrial companies the ability to 3D print functional parts and prototypes with a wide range of materials. HP Multi Jet Fusion materials print in layers as thin as 80 microns.
HP just announced the release of a new material it’s calling High Reusability Polypropylene (PP). The durable chemically resistant material is qualified by the company for its production-grade additive manufacturing systems. The material is meant for HP customers in the consumer space as well as those in sectors like automotive, medical and industrial.
The new HP 3D High Reusability PP is enabled by BASF and is very similar to common polypropylenes manufacturers use in injection molding systems. PP has a low rate of moisture absorption, a long rate of durability, and is highly resistant to chemical wear and tear.
The new material is ideal for fluid systems, containers and piping constructs. Engineers and designers in the automotive industry will be able to leverage the new material for prototyping now as well as for finished production interior, exterior and under-the-hood parts. HP 3D High Reusability Polypropylene was developed through a partnership with BASF for 3D printing in HP Jet Fusion 5200 3D Series machines. The PP will also help customers cut down on waste because the surplus powder not 3D printed into a part is completely reusable.
HP Partners with Oechsler and Gets New Metal Jet 3D Printing Customers
To help develop applications for PP and HP’s other materials, the company partnered with design and manufacturing company Oechsler.
HP also has some impressive new customers for its Metal Jet 3D printing program. The first is the U.S. Marine Corps. The service is 3D printing stainless steel spare parts for its amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs). So far, 200 AAV replacement parts have been 3D printed to augment and balance service’s complicated supply chain. The AAVs are still operational after nearly 40 years of service, though parts are expensive to replace using traditional manufacturing methods, which require tooling and dies to be made. HP Metal Jet additive manufacturing systems are keeping the AAVs operational until they are phased out and replaced in the next decade or so.
HP’s other new Metal Jet 3D printing customer is Cobra Golf, which designs and manufactures golf equipment. The designers and engineers at Cobra, along with HP and Parmatech, are working together to take advantage of designing new golf equipment over the next few years.
Bottom Line
The development of new materials that can be additively manufactured but resemble injection molded parts across the board in character when finished are attractive to HP’s existing and potentially new industrial customer base.
The addition of new partnerships and new Metal Jet customers like the U.S. Marine Corps, and customers pushing the boundaries of product design like Cobra Golf, show that HP has momentum in the 3D printing space that isn’t likely to slow down anytime soon.