Metal Jet S100 solution (photo credits: HP)It was 4 years ago already, HP made a remarkable entry into the coveted market of 3D metal printing.All in all logically, the 2D printing giant had relied on its inkjet technology.The very one that allowed him to take his first steps in the plastic 3D printing segment in 2014.By joining the very closed circle of manufacturers mastering binder jetting, HP has the ambition to offer a solution that goes beyond the prototyping stage to move towards production.That is to say where the majority of expenses are located.The holy grail for HP, like many 3D printer manufacturers, is to achieve a process that is as productive as traditional processes such as molding.Based on the projection of droplets of binder on a bed of metal powder, which is then sintered, the Multijet technology from HP makes it possible to print dozens of parts at the same time.An advantage over older additive processes such as SLS.The other reason why the production is supposed to be better is that the printing is done layer by layer, and not point by point as is the case with laser sintering.This technology, certainly promising, but so far only sold to service offices, HP has decided to offer it to a wider audience.A welcome decision called Metal Jet S100, which materialized this Monday at the IMTS in Chicago.The American giant took advantage of the metallurgical industry fair to unveil its latest addition with a bang.The different modules making up the Metal Jet S100 solution (photo credits: HP)Still with the idea of ​​offering a turnkey digital workflow, HP explains that it has developed a modular system made up of 4 units: the printer itself, a module to manage the powder, a heat treatment unit, and finally another module allowing the excess powder to be removed in the best conditions.Other printer specs include a 430 x 309 x 200mm build plate, onto which 6 printheads with 63,360 nozzles blast binder droplets.HP says its system would be able to deposit with high precision, up to 630 million nanogram-sized drops of binder per second.The resolution could reach 1,200 dpi.“Since announcing the groundbreaking Metal Jet technology in 2018, we have worked to develop the industry's most advanced commercial solution for the mass production of 3D metals.commented Ramon Pastor, Global Head and General Manager of 3D Metals, HP Inc. customers, from the first designs to production, but above all helps them realize the unlimited potential of digital manufacturing.»Example of parts that can be printed with the Metal Jet S100 (photo credits: HP)Among the few partner companies who have had the chance to experiment on the ground the last born of HP, we find some of its initial customers.Including Parmatech, Cobra Golf, the Legor group and Volkswagen.More concretely, we learn that GKN and Schneider Electric have collaborated together around the Metal Jet S100 to develop a new metal air filter dedicated to equipping the NSX circuit breaker with the latter.Schneider explains that due to the complexity of the shape and material, this specific filter could not be produced using traditional techniques.HP's metal technology has enabled the design of new shapes that reduce the impact of gases, pressure and heat in a smaller space, as well as increasing productivity.“This metallic air filter is used in circuit breakers when you have an electric arc inspected, and you need it so as not to affect the rest of the installation,” explains Ramon Pastor.“Usually these filters are made to traditional measurements, and it's very, very expensive.We were able to reduce production time and make improvements in weight reduction, as they are now 20% more compact.»“The advantages I see in HP Metal Jet technology are process robustness, high machine productivity and surface finish.adds Guillaume Fribourg, expert in metallic materials and processes at Schneider Electric, before concluding: “We now consider HP's Metal Jet technology as a viable option for mass production of parts.We plan to leverage this technology across all of Schneider Electric's business areas to bring new added value to our products and customers.»Schneider Electric NSX circuit breaker metallic air filter printed with the Metal Jet S100 (photo credits: Schneider Electric)Legal notice Contact About / online 3D printing