HP unveils game-changing 3D metal Printing Technology

Volkswagen is incorporating HP Metal Jet into its long-term design and production roadmap.

Global: Tech giant ‘HP Inc’ keeping its promise to infuse life into 3D metal printing and transform the USD 12 trillion manufacturing industry, recently launched the world’s most advanced 3D printing technology for the mass manufacturing of production-grade metal parts. This new technology will have a positive impact on both the automotive and ICT sectors in the foreseeable future. According to Dion Weisler, CEO and President, HP Inc., "HP has helped lead the transformation by pioneering the 3D mass production of plastic parts and we are now doubling down with HP Metal Jet, a breakthrough metals 3D printing technology." ‘HP Metal Jet’- the new 3D-metal printing technology is up to 50 times more dynamic and productive, conveying low-cost, high-grade mechanically functional parts for the auto, industrial and medical industries to begin with. The implications are massive as the industrial, auto and medical segments single-handedly produce billions of metal parts each year. ‘HP Metal Jet’ will start with producing stainless steel finished parts. In the first half of 2019, customers will be able to upload 3D design files and receive industrial-grade parts in large quantities from the new Metal Jet Production Service. The company announced that Commercial HP Metal Jet solutions will begin shipping in 2020 to early customers and with broad availability in 2021 and will be offered at under USD 399,000. In first-industry conglomerate, HP is associating with UK-based GKN Powder Metallurgy to deploy HP Metal Jet in their factories to produce functional metal parts for auto and industrial leaders, including Volkswagen and Wilo. According to Peter Oberparleiter, CEO of GKN Powder Metallurgy, "HP’s new Metal Jet technology enables us to expand our business by taking on new opportunities that were previously cost prohibitive." Volkswagen is incorporating HP Metal Jet into its long-term design and production roadmap. As new platforms like electric vehicles enter mass production, HP Metal Jet is anticipated to be leveraged for added applications such as the light-weighting of fully safety certified metal parts. "By 2025, the brands of Volkswagen Group will have introduced 80 new electric modes.  A big advantage of an additive technology like HP Metal Jet is it allows us to produce many of these parts without first having to build manufacturing tools.” Said, Dr. Martin Goede, Head of Technology Planning and Development, Volkswagen. To expand mass production of metal jet parts, HP is also associating with California-based Parmatech, an ATW Company. Parmatech is a global market leader in metal injection molding and has been a metals manufacturing pioneer for more than 40 years. "We are excited to deploy HP Metal Jet in our factories and begin manufacturing complex parts, such as surgical scissors and endoscopic surgical jaws," said Rob Hall, President of Parmatech. According to BlueWeave Consulting, the new 3D-Metal Printing technology will be fruitful for the automobile industry particularly because of the mass production of 3D metal printing for functional automobile parts. ‘HP Metal Jet’ will start its production with stainless steel, which will make it light-weight, cost-effective and dynamic compared to the conventional ones. Hence, this latest tech addition will have a blooming market coupled with significant growth in the near future.