A large number of 3D printer parts lined up on the desk of Materialize researcher and engineer Giovanni Vreminks. Actually, this is a test part output using the new 3D printer ” HP Jet Fusion 4200″ developed by HP . Materialize is one of the few partner companies that has had the opportunity to introduce and test this new HP 3D printer. We will tell you about the state of the modeling test using this 3D printer, which bears the great expectations of the market, and the results!

I was first shocked by its small size and nature in November 2016, when I first saw HP’s 3D printer at formnext (the world’s largest manufacturing exhibition in Germany).HP’s machines were surprising in a good way, as few of the large commercial 3D printers we use every day are made with design priority, “said HP as a materialization researcher and engineer. Giovanni involved in the joint test of.

As his first impression of using a 3D printer, he said: “I’m excited to have the opportunity to test this technology before the official launch of the new 3D printer and analyze future improvements in collaboration with HP. It’s been a few weeks since I started using this machine. However, the operating status is stable. I feel that it is no longer necessary to continuously monitor after the start of modeling. “

“The HP machines were a surprise in a good way, as few large commercial 3D printers are made with design priorities.”

How HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing Technology Works

The 3D printing technology “Multi Jet Fusion” developed by HP is a completely new 3D printing method that uses a powdery material as a base without using a laser. The following is a brief explanation of the modeling mechanism .

  • Evenly heat the material in the 3D printer
  • Flux is sprayed where the material should be melted
  • Spray coating agent to increase resolution along the contour of the part
  • The lamp on the top of the printer moves left and right to further heat the material
  • Flux and coating promote heat absorption and dispersion
  • After the modeling is completed, cool the parts with another machine for post-processing.

The feature of this modeling technology that does not use a laser is that the time required for modeling each layer is uniform. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the modeling time accurately.

The polyamide (nylon) material currently used for testing is called “PA12”. By using this material, which features fine powder particles, an extremely thin stacking pitch of 80 microns is achieved.

Giovanni, who observes the parts modeled on the HP machine every day, explained as follows.

If you hold the stacking pitch thin, compared to the case of molding with the same material at a thick pitch, you can manufacture components with high density and low porosity. The surface of the molded parts is quite smooth without post-processing, so future parts Depending on the model, polishing after modeling may not be necessary. The parts immediately after modeling are gray, so it is also ideal for dyeing. “

Modeling test of HP machine, its current status and future

Immediately after the start of the modeling test, HP worked closely with Materialize’s software development and manufacturing teams. The Software Development Department is co-developing with HP the ” HP Build Processor ” that seamlessly connects Multi Jet Fusion machines with Materialize’s data preparation software products . The feature of

HP Build Processor is that 3D printing software and 3D printer can be linked smoothly. By using this software to communicate with the machine, the user can prepare the modeling platform based on the modeling settings suitable for the machine, and the data transmission to the machine is also simplified.

It is important that Materialize has been involved in the early development of HP computer applications,” said Giovanni.”. “Materialize software users are likely to get off to a good start with the introduction of HP’s new 3D printers,” he said, suggesting the future.

“Materialize software users are likely to get off to a good start with the introduction of HP’s new 3D printers.”

Meanwhile, HP and Materialize engineers designed a large number of test parts. Create different parts for each purpose, such as with hinges for checking dimensional accuracy (if the accuracy is low, the gaps in the hinges will be filled and mobility will be lost), and for checking the quality of the surface of parts with 3D textures. Did. In addition, tests are also conducted to measure the uniformity of modeling by using exactly the same parts and changing only the modeling direction.

While exchanging feedback with HP, it was a very fulfilling experience for Giovanni to identify each other’s priorities and the most important improvements in the future.

The joint tests we have conducted with HP are aimed at extending the optimum modeling area and improving dimensional accuracy within the modeling platform. The software team also tested the HP Build Processor in a similar process. I’m repeating. I’m very grateful to HP for making good use of the feedback from Materialize. HP’s support team is large and always listens enthusiastically to this feedback. “

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