HP makes first leap into 3D printing market

Having teased a 3D printer over the last few years, notably at 3D Print Week NY last year, HP has announced two industrial 3D printers that claim to produce objects ten times faster than any similar printer on the market, and at half the cost.

Called the Jet Fusion 3200 and 4200, the two printers will be commercial and not meant for home or office use. The Jet Fusion line starts at $130,000.

HP’s head of 3D printing, Stephen Nigro has said the models will have a high level of durability and reliability, as demonstrated by the printing of a hard plastic chain using its prototype machine that could lift a car at the 3D Print Week NY conference. Half of the models will even be printed by one of the Jet Fusion line itself.

Industry competitors including 3D Systems and Stratasys will be driven to innovate at a higher pace with the introduction of the Jet Fusion line onto the market.

HP is looking to print metals in future printers. Mr Nigro said: “Metals is a research project for us.” HP is also exploring the capability to print multiple materials at once, as Stratasys’ recent printer showcased.

HP www.hp.com