NovaStar’s Rick Storch and Ben Baumgarten witnessed HP’s grand entrance into the additive manufacturing industry at RAPID 2016, the industry trade show held in Orlando, Florida May 16-19, 2016.
The RAPID conference is the longest-running and most respected additive manufacturing event in North America, attracting buyers, sellers, and end consumers of 3D technology. With 4500 square feet of exhibit space, Hewlett Packard outdid industry veterans including 3D Systems and Stratasys.
Introducing the HP Jet Fusion 3D Printers
HP revealed its new line of Multi-Jet Fusion 3D printers with a plan to initially launch two printers: the Jet Fusion 3D 3200 and the Jet Fusion 3D 4200. “The HP 3D printer announcement was a big hit at the show,” says Rick Storch. With a starting price of $130,000, these 3D printers will be some of the lowest-priced devices in their segment in the industry, intended to cut additive manufacturing costs in half.
The Multi-Jet Fusion 3D devices print at 10X the speed of other large-scale 3D printers, without sacrificing detail. The HP Multi Jet Fusion technology is able to fabricate parts at the level of an individual voxel (3D pixel). The printers will use stereolithography, an additive manufacturing process which uses an ultraviolet laser beam to create 3D objects with a layer-by-layer approach.
HP’s Jet Fusion 3D Printers are Being Adopted Nationally
HP Jet Fusion 3D Printer featured at RAPID 2016
The 3200 & 4200 series are expected to launch January 2017. At RAPID HP highlighted a few beta sites where these printers are being used, including Nike, BMW, and Johnson & Johnson. HP has partnered with Johnson & Johnson to find new ways to use 3D technology to develop better and cheaper healthcare device solutions. 3D printing will allow Johnson & Johnson to create devices catered to individuals’ specific needs.
HP continues to advance its 3D technology. “This was a good first reveal,” says Ben Baumgarten. “HP will have a lot to offer in future generations with features such as multiple materials and integrated circuits directly baked into a print.”
