HP now also does 3D metal printing
HP's new system designed for mass production is called Metal Jet 3D Printing and should be delivered initially to preferred customers starting in 2020.
American PC and printer manufacturer HP sees great potential for additive manufacturing in mass production and is thus expanding its printing offer to include metals. Metal Jet boasts a scalable construction space of 430 x 320 x 200 mm and should come in at a price under $400,000. Like the plastic printer Multi Jet Fusion, HP also uses a binder jetting process for their Metal Jet, which bonds the metal powder with a binder. This process is not new for metal 3D printing and is also used by the Bavarian company ExOne GmbH .
HP is currently collaborating with metal powder manufacturer GKN and with Parmatech , a MIM (metal powder injection molding) specialist, in the production of the first individual parts. A Metal Jet production service is planned as of 2019: customers put their 3D models online, they are then produced using Metal Jet, and are then delivered. Metal Jets should be delivered to the first selected customers, including Volkswagen , Primo Medical Group and Wilo , from 2020. According to HP, general delivery will begin in 2021.
