HP Launches Metal 3D Printing System for Mass Production

HP has just announced HP Metal Jet, an advanced metal additive manufacturing technology that will enable high-volume manufacturing of production-grade metal parts at a significantly lower cost than other 3D printing methods.

Over the last year, 3D printing technology has experienced an innovative boom from the likes of Desktop Metal, Markforged, and other industry newcomers. We’ve seen metal 3D printing become more affordable and efficient than ever before, and now one of the world’s top tech titans is officially throwing its hat into the ring.

Today at the 2018 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), HP launched HP Metal Jet, an advanced metal 3D printing technology that is capable of creating production-grade metal parts at a high volume. The global tech company claims that the new system will provide users with up to 50 times more productivity at a significantly lower cost compared to other metal 3D printing methods.

Similar to HP Multi Jet Fusion technology, HP Metal Jet utilizes voxel-level binder jetting. It offers a print volume of 430 x 320 x 200mm, four times the nozzle redundancy and two times the print bars. This potentially groundbreaking system will use significantly less binder by weight while delivering exceptional productivity and reliability. The first material available for the HP Metal Jet will be stainless steel, which will deliver isotropic properties that will either meet or exceed ASTM and MPIF Standards.

“The implications are huge – the auto, industrial, and medical sectors alone produce billions of metal parts each year. HP’s new Metal Jet 3D printing platform unlocks the speed, quality, and economics to enable our customers to completely rethink the way they design, manufacture, and deliver new solutions in the digital age,” explains Dion Weisler, CEO and President, HP Inc.

HP Partners with Metal Experts to Introduce HP Metal Jet

Before the new 3D printer is released, HP will first offer customers the opportunity to order large quantities of industrial-grade parts using the Metal Jet Production Service. HP has partnered with GKN Powder Metallurgy and Parmatech to handle the production of these parts.

Thus far, GKN Powder Metallurgy is already set to produce functional metal parts for customers such as Volkswagen and Wilo. The company, a global leader in producing materials using powder metallurgy technologies, is planning to deploy HP Metal Jet on its factory floor. HP’s latest partner produces more than three billion components per year and expects to print millions of parts with HP Metal Jet starting as early as next year.

“We’re at the tipping point of an exciting new era from which there will be no return: the future of mass production with 3D printing. HP’s new Metal Jet technology enables us to expand our business by taking on new opportunities that were previously cost prohibitive,” said Peter Oberparleiter, CEO of GKN Powder Metallurgy.

Additionally, HP is also collaborating with Parmatech to help handle mass production of metal parts for medical customers like OKAY Industries and Primo Medical Group.

As for the commercial availability of the HP Metal Jet, the company plans to sell the system for under $399,000. Early customers are expected to receive the metal 3D printing system in 2020, while broad availability will begin in 2021. You can already pre-order the HP Metal Jet system today.