Helping expand the overall market and unlock new applications for customers, HP introduced a first of its kind Polypropylene (PP) material for additive manufacturing. The new HP 3D High Reusability PP, enabled by BASF, is a versatile, durable, and chemically resistant material that has been qualified for HP’s production-grade 3D printing systems. It suits applications in the automotive, consumer, industrial, and medical sectors. (HP also unveiled a new partnership with Oechsler, the global design and manufacturing player, to develop applications for both the new PP and HP’s broader materials portfolio, as well as new customers for its Metal Jet 3D printing technology.)
Polypropylene is a versatile material for a range of automotive, consumer, industrial, and medical applications. The HP 3D High Reusability PP provides customers with a new additive manufacturing material offering the same properties as commonly used PPs in injection molding. With its excellent chemical resistance, low moisture absorption, and long-term durability, PP suits piping, fluid systems, and containers. For example, automakers will be able to use the same PP for prototyping and production of final parts found in vehicles’ interior, exterior, and under-the-hood.
Developed in partnership with BASF for HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 3D Series, the new PP helps reduce waste by enabling up to 100% reusability of surplus powder.
HP is jointly developing new PP applications with partners, parts providers, and customers including Extol, specializing in plastics engineering and innovation with industry leading plastic assembly technology, custom automation, and engineering services; GKN/Forecast 3D, a provider of advanced industrial 3D printing, short-run manufacturing, and high-volume production; Henkel, a leader of high-impact adhesives and engineering solutions; Oechsler, a leading additive manufacturing parts provider; and Prototal, one of Europe’s most experienced parts manufacturers.
New professional services
To help customers accelerate their journey to digital manufacturing, HP announced new and expanded 3D Professional Services offerings and industrial alliances, including:
• _HP 3D Professional Services: HP is unveiling a variety of new professional services capabilities including design optimization for breakthrough applications, manufacturing process streamlining to enable mass customization and scale production, and applications identification and discovery services. hp.com/go/3DProfessionalServices.
• _BASF and HP announced they are advancing their strategic alliance to jointly develop new applications with market leading customers in the automotive, consumer, industrial and medical industries. With the new PP and the recent introduction of ULTRASINT TPU01 thermoplastic polyurethane, the two are working together to accelerate the design and mass production of 3D printed parts.
• _A new strategic alliance with Oechsler AG, a leading global engineering solution provider and one of the largest parts manufacturers in the additive industry. The alliance will span the product lifecycle from application design to production of final parts. Oechsler is using its fleet of HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 3D Series printers and an extensive materials portfolio to help leading automakers, global consumer electronics companies, home and commercial appliances, and innovative medical device providers produce a variety of new applications.
• _Fast Radius, a leading manufacturing technology company, has qualified as a new member of the HP Digital Manufacturing Network, a global community of HP production partners to help design, produce, and deliver both plastic and metal parts at scale leveraging HP 3D printing solutions.
Advancing mass production with metals
HP Metal Jet technology is for the 3D mass-production of metal parts. New customers embracing it in their manufacturing operations include:
• _Cobra Golf, a leader in golf club manufacturing, innovation and design, has selected HP Metal Jet for its entry into 3D printing for product innovation and parts production. Cobra, HP, and Parmatech are working together on a strategic, multi-year product roadmap, that leverages the design and manufacturing benefits of HP’s additive technologies to deliver golf equipment that raises performance and golfer satisfaction to new levels.
• _The US Marine Corps is producing stainless steel spare parts for its Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV). About 200 AAV parts have been 3D printed to quickly provide replacement parts and steady a complex supply chain. The ability to 3D print parts required, but not available in the traditional supply chain, is helping keep the nearly 40-year-old vehicle operational with the replacement window for the fleet of AAVs still 10 to 15 years away.
HP Inc.
www.hp.com/go/3Dprinting
