Jan 28, 2018 | By David
Since it was first launched back in 2016, HP’s Jet Fusion 3D printing system has established a reputation for itself as one of the most advanced and comprehensive 3D printing solutions available for industrial manufacturing. The electronics giant’s first foray into industrial 3D printing technology has had the support of such high-profile clients as Deloitte, BMW Group, and Nike. The latest organization to see the potential in HP’s technology is CEA, the French atomic and alternative energy commission, which is partnering with HP in order to develop new digital manufacturing processes for a variety of clients worldwide.
According to Emilio Juárez, EMEA Sales Director, 3D Print Business, HP Inc., “A key part of our 3D strategy is innovating together with the most prominent research centres around the world, CEA being a prime example. With the support and collaboration of CEA, HP continues to drive the radical transformation of the 12 trillion-dollar global manufacturing sector.”
HP’s most recent FDM 3D printing system, the HP Jet Fusion 3200, was released last year and is geared primarily towards rapid prototyping. The company boasted that it could improve printing speeds by up to 10 times compared to other solutions. The previous machine, the HP Jet Fusion 4200, is intended for use in series production. It is capable of printing large or small series, between 5,000 and 180,000 pieces. The high level of repeatability from one print job to the next is what has made it such an appealing option for many manufacturers at various scales.
Next March should see the release of the latest Jet Fusion 3D printer from the Palo Alto-based tech stalwart. The Jet Fusion 4210 is an upgraded version of the 4200, with improved material compatibility as well as a potential 65 percent reduction in production costs.
“When looking for a 3D thermoplastic leader to partner with, we were attracted to HP’s disruptive approach to the market, influencing the way people design and manufacture goods,” said Florence Lambert, director of CEA-LITEN (Innovation Laboratory for New Energy Technologies and Nanomaterials). “With CEA’s mission to improve the competitiveness of companies through product performance and differentiation, and with HP’s commitment to make the digital transformation of manufacturing a reality, together we are working to prepare companies of all sizes around the world for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
The new partnership with HP was announced at a conference in Lyon, and it will see the two companies working together on research and development in order to create new solutions that are targeted at specific industrial manufacturing applications. Drawing on human and financial resources provided by both companies, the R&D team will be based in Grenoble, not far away from HP’s 3D printing base in Barcelona.
According to CEA, current 3D printing solutions meet 80 percent of industrial demands, but the technology can still continue to mature in order to be better adapted to sectors such as jewellery and aerospace. The partnership with HP will work towards not only fine-tuning the Jet Fusion’s FDM 3D printing process for manufacturers, but also improving post-processing and the usage of new materials, such as metals or ceramics.
This collaboration, which should last between three and five years, is the second major 3D printing partnership that CEA has entered into. The commission has already been working with French 3D printer manufacturer Prodways since 2014. Following the new deal with FDM expert HP, CEA should also soon be looking for a metal additive manufacturing partner, in order to develop this particular sector further. In December 2017, CEA launched an Additive Manufacturing Center, in the industrial hub located in the Paris suburb of Saclay. This platform brings together manufacturers, research organizations and other providers of solutions that will hopefully accelerate the deployment of 3D metal printing.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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