HP

Company takes a new leap in 3D printing using new Metal Jet technology

The announcement was made during the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) and HP ensures it achieves 50 times more productivity at a significantly lower price than other printing methods. GKN Powder Metallurgy and Parmatech are already using the new technology to produce components and Volkswagen and Wilo are on the list of companies that have already placed orders for the new solution that HP claims has also great applicability in healthcare.Alongside the technology, HP has also launched a service, the Metal Jet Production Service, which allows customers to replicate the new 3D prepairs designs by integrating HP Metal Jet into their long-term production roadmaps.

After printing in plastic the use of metal for 3D printing has great benefits for several industries, for the automotive, industrial and health sectors, which produce millions of pieces of metal every year.

A Volkswagen gear shift knob created on the HP Metal Jet system (Courtesy HP Inc.)

According to HP, Volkswagen is one of the companies that is already integrating HP Metal Jet into its design and production roadmap, especially in the manufacture of mass-customizable parts such as individualized key chains and exterior nameplates. VW's plan to use HP Metal Jet also includes the production of high-performance functional parts with significant structural requirements such as shift knobs and mirror adjustment. The application of HP Metal Jet should also broaden with the production of electric models.

"A major advantage of an additive technology such as HP Metal Jet is that it allows us to produce many of these parts without the need to build production tools. By reducing the production time of parts, we can produce a larger mass volume very quickly, "explains Martin Goede, Head of Planning and Technological Development at Volkswagen.

Health is highlighted by HP as one of those with great potential. The company has a partnership with Parmatech, which is a world leader in metal injection molding and specializes in the production of low cost, high volume metal parts for the medical and industrial sectors.The company will produce complex parts such as surgical scissors and endoscopic surgical jaws, and new applications and geometries that were not possible with conventional metal fabrication technologies.HP Metal Jet will be available in the first half of 2019 and customers will be able to upload 3D design files and receive industrial grade parts in large quantities.



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