By Bruce Geiselman
HP, a manufacturer of 3-D printers, has announced the introduction a PP material for use in its HP Jet Fusion 5200 3-D printers.
The new HP 3D High Reusability PP is designed for use in parts for the automotive, consumer products, industrial and medical sectors. It offers an optimal balance between performance and cost, according to the company.
Anticipated uses cited by HP include:
Automotive: Interior parts, welded parts, fluid systems and HVAC functional prototyping.
Industrial: Machinery parts, tubes, piping and fluid system reservoirs.
Consumer goods: Household appliances and cosmetics applications.
Medical: Medical devices and orthotics.
HP 3D High Reusability PP is a powder that performs with the same characteristics of PP materials commonly used in injection molding, according to HP. The new material, like other PP materials, is versatile, durable, resistant to chemicals and impervious to water, making it ideal for piping, fluid systems and containers. With its introduction, automakers will be able to use PP material for both prototyping and production of final parts found in vehicles’ interiors, exteriors and under the hood.
After printing, all surplus, unprinted powder can be reused, ensuring less waste and more efficient production, according to the company.
Experts at BASF and HP collaborated on the new material.
“Our teams have worked closely to develop a high quality, sophisticated PP that fully leverages the advanced capabilities of HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 platform – truly a win-win for innovative companies investing in the shift to digital manufacturing,” said François Minec, managing director of BASF 3D Printing Solutions.
The introduction of a PP material for HP printers will open up new opportunities for manufacturers, said Ramon Pastor, interim president of 3-D printing and digital manufacturing at HP Inc.
“The powerful combination of the world’s leading materials science and most advanced 3-D printing capabilities yields superior quality, reliability, workflow and cost savings for customers,” Pastor said. “From advanced prototyping to the production of final parts, we are excited about the impact this new PP will have for designers, engineers and the businesses around the world.”
HP also announced that HP has formed a new partnership with Oechsler AG to develop applications for 3-D printed parts using the new HP 3D High Reusability PP and other materials. Oechsler, an engineering solutions provider and one of the largest parts manufacturers in the additive industry, is based in Ansbach, Germany.
The new alliance will help accelerate the mass production of 3-D printed parts, the companies said. At the center of the strategic alliance is the joint development of new applications serving the automotive, home, commercial appliances and medical device markets. The goal is to help companies bring 3-D printed parts to market faster and unleash the full potential of additive manufacturing, according to a joint statement.
Oechsler has installed a fleet of industrial-grade HP Jet Fusion 5200 3D printers in its factory at its headquarters.
Contact:
HP Inc., Palo Alto, Calif., 650-857-1501, www.hp.com
Bruce Geiselman, senior staff reporter
Bruce Geiselman | Senior Staff Reporter
Senior Staff Reporter Bruce Geiselman covers extrusion, blow molding, additive manufacturing, automation and end markets including automotive and packaging. He also writes features, including In Other Words and Problem Solved, for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. He has extensive experience in daily and magazine journalism.
