HP’s new metallic 3D printer “showcasing the advantages of digital manufacturing” at Schneider Electrical 

International chief in power and industrial automation Schneider Electrical has turn into the most recent to reward the manufacturing alternatives unlocked by the brand new metallic 3D printer from HP.

At IMTS final yr, HP made its long-awaited metallic 3D printing debut with the launch of the Metallic Jet S100, a binder jet system able to economically 3D printing excessive volumes of end-use elements. On the time, a lot was manufactured from the machine’s cost-efficiency due to its compatibility with industry-standard Metallic Injection Molding (MIM) supplies from established international powder suppliers. Actually, it was mentioned this may take away one of many obstacles to scaling metallic 3D printing in industrial settings. 

Since then, the Metallic Jet S100 has hit the market, and HP’s guarantees to ship metallic 3D printing at scale seem like coming to fruition. One of many firm’s early prospects, Schneider Electrical, has been particularly vocal in its reward for the machine. Specifically, the producer has discovered HP Metallic Jet expertise preferrred for producing energy filters with new, extra sustainable geometries, at increased volumes. 

“We’re excited in regards to the new potentialities for our enterprise because of this collaboration with HP,” defined Michael Lotfy, SVP of Energy Merchandise & Methods, North America at Schneider Electrical. “Leveraging HP Metallic Jet, our groups have delivered a confirmed use case showcasing the advantages of digital manufacturing and 3D printing, and we look ahead to uncovering many extra functions that meet the evolving calls for of our prospects.”

“We’re excited in regards to the new potentialities for our enterprise because of this collaboration with HP.”

HP’s journey into metallic 3D printing

Whereas the Metallic Jet is already proving a hit, HP is best recognized within the 3D printing {industry} as a developer of polymer manufacturing applied sciences. For the reason that firm unveiled its Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) expertise in 2014, HP methods have 3D printed over 170 million elements, with functions starting from medical to these within the aerospace sector. 

In latest instances, MJF has been deployed within the 3D printing of automotive spares by Toyota and SOLIZE, as a way of decreasing associated prices and lead instances. HP’s providing additionally continues to achieve traction in areas corresponding to packaging, and it has beforehand partnered with the likes of L’Oréal to discover its beauty packaging 3D printing potential. 

Nonetheless, not glad with a foothold within the polymer house, HP has lengthy been creating a metallic 3D printing entry alongside manufacturing stalwarts Parmatech, GKN Powder Metallurgy, and the Legor Group. Whereas teased in 2018, this machine didn’t break cowl till 4 years later, when it was launched in full, full with ancillaries, and touted automotive, industrial, and shopper items 3D printing functions. 

The S100: a debut metallic 3D printer by HP 

HP’s debut metallic 3D printing system capabilities utilizing a number of print bars for prime productiveness and nozzle redundancy. The HP Thermal Inkjet printhead is a fancy, built-in system that controls how and the place to use fluids. This setup is alleged to permit HP Metallic Jet to precisely apply binder and produce robust elements with excellent definition. Every printhead produces a 108-mm (4.25-inch) print swathe with two unbiased columns of 5,280 nozzles which can be spaced at 1200/inch in every column. 

The machine additionally options two unbiased provide ports for HP Metallic Jet binding agent and two built-in stress regulators. In apply, HP Metallic Jet printers deal with a 1200 x 1200 dpi grid with a layer usually between 35 and 140 microns thick. HP Metallic Jet’s excessive voxel decision then produces wonderful particulars and precision definition of edges and surfaces each inside and out of doors the half, as defects are suppressed with four-times nozzle redundancy. 

Ensuing elements are mentioned to characteristic a excessive degree of floor end and accuracy, whereas the expertise’s minimal reliance on binding brokers permits for thicker and bigger mass elements. As with different binder jetting processes, HP’s additionally negates the necessity for any time-consuming help removing.

As such, the corporate markets the Metallic Jet S100 as a way of manufacturing excessive volumes of high quality metallic elements with end-use functions in a spread of industries – together with automotive, medical, industrial and shopper items. For example, utilizing one of many two proprietary supplies launched alongside the machine, SS 316L, HP says it’s attainable to 3D print elements like fluidic manifolds with beforehand unattainable geometries that optimize warmth switch inside automotive builds. 

Testimonies to HP metallic 3D printing

Since launching its debut metallic 3D printer, HP has printed a number of associate testimonies that reveal how preliminary adopters are deploying it in apply. At agricultural equipment producer John Deere, the expertise is now being deployed within the manufacturing of tractor gas system valves, with environmental, productiveness, and sturdiness enhancements. 

“Our concentrate on innovation and sustainability is on the core of all the things we do for our prospects,” mentioned Dr. Jochen Müller, Supervisor of International Digital Engineering at John Deere. “We’re proud to be among the many first within the agricultural {industry} to leverage the advantages 3D printing for each prototyping and ultimate elements manufacturing. Leveraging industrial 3D printing platforms for polymers and metals, we’re discovering alternatives to ship extra environment friendly, dependable, and sustainable tools.”

Elsewhere, HP can be working with the Legor Group to develop progressive new valuable metallic supplies to be used with its Metallic Jet system. Whereas their collaboration will initially see the corporations concentrate on creating practical stainless-steel equipment for the jewellery and style markets, they later goal to characterize bronze, silver, and gold powders for 3D printing. 

“Our work with Legor aligns completely with HP’s imaginative and prescient to disrupt manufacturing norms, speed up digital manufacturing and sustainable influence for patrons world wide,” added Didier Deltort, President of HP Personalization & 3D Printing. “The mixture of our breakthrough Metallic Jet 3D printing platform with Legor’s supplies experience and customer-centric strategy will disrupt the posh jewellery and style industries.”

Any questions? Attain out to a metallic 3D printing professional right here: 

https://reinvent.hp.com/us-en-3d-prints-plastics-cwu-b?jumpid=af_dfd36af302

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Featured picture exhibits a fleet of metallic 3D printers on manufacturing ground – HP Metallic Jet S100. Picture by way of HP.