HP Introduces 3D printing technology Multi Jet Fusion
A new technology that allows you to print more detailed objects and colors: HP is preparing to revolutionize the world of 3D printing. During the presentation of the system Sprout in the context of the new ecosystem Blended Reality, HP also showed off a new device intended for 3D printing that uses a new printing process based on a technology that the company called 3D Multi Jet Fusion and can print three-dimensional objects up to 10 times faster than current methods of 3D printing, and at the same time in a more economic and with the possibility of more detailed objects and of longer duration.
The system operates using a print engine consists of an array of jet nozzles ” ink ” that go to stratify various liquid agents. A layer of material production is deposited on the work area, and is then covered with an agent of fusion which, exposed to a source of thermal energy, unites the material at specific locations. A second agent is applied to other areas where it is necessary to amplify or reduce the effect of the merger due to exposure to the energy source.
The system allows to create objects in various colors, since the print materials contain coloring in cyan, magenta, yellow and black that can be applied to each voxel (volumetric pixels) of the print in a variable amount. This should allow, at least in theory, the realization of several objects simultaneously on the same work area. The first printers to use this technology employ thermoplastic materials for printing, even if HP hopes to adapt the process to use ceramic and metallic materials, thus being able to create three-dimensional objects more robust and the most longevity.
In order to make your solution a standard in terms of methods of 3D printing, HP is looking for help to change another industry standard, the STL file format. It is a format created in 1989, which is still used for 3D printers but that says HP, allows to realize only geometric representations of a printed object and not to transfer from the CAD 3D printer all information on each individual voxel.
HP hopes so the collaboration of the software company so that you can make a transfer system voxel-by-voxel to allow it to exploit the full potential of 3D printing to transfer projects printable objects directly from 3D CAD software to the printer without intermediate as is the case today with the STL format.
HP has not released detailed information on the availability of printers with multi Jet Fusion, which initially will be offered to the user enterprise, roughly during 2016. The consumer audience will likely wait a long time before bringing this device in their homes.
More information about the 3D technology Multi Jet Fusion are available in this whitepaper.
