Industrial 3D printing has undergone a constant evolution in recent years, and HP Multi Jet Fusion has established itself as lhe world's most advanced plastics additive manufacturing technology.
Thanks to its precision, speed and ability to mass-produce functional parts, this technology has become an industry standard, used in sectors such as automotive, medical, robotics, electronics and consumer goods.
In this article we tell you all about the HP Multi Jet Fusion, how it works, the printer we have at Additium3D, the materials we use and why it is the preferred technology at industrial level.
What is HP Multi Jet Fusion Technology?
The HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is a high-performance industrial 3D printing technology, based on powder sintering, which enables the production of functional parts in series with precision and speed. It is based on powder sintering, which is similar to the SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), but with important advantages that make it faster and more accurate.
While the SLS uses a laser to fuse the powder layer by layer, the MJF applies a fusing agent precisely to specific areas of the powder, followed by the application of heat which solidifies the particles evenly. This allows production times to be greatly accelerated and a much more uniform finish to be achieved between parts.
The MJF technology stands out for:
- Speed: is significantly faster than other powder bed systems, allowing large batches to be produced in reduced times.
- Accuracy: guarantees consistent tolerances and a uniform surface, ideal for functional parts.
- Industrial flexibility: allows the production of prototypes and short series without the need for additional moulds and tooling.
With these characteristics, the HP Multi Jet Fusion has established itself as the industry's most widely used choice for additive manufacturing, especially in environments where quality, repeatability and efficiency are essential.
The HP Jet Fusion 5600 Series Printer on Additium3D
At Additium3D, we have opted for the HP Jet Fusion 5600 Series, HP Multi Jet Fusion, one of the most advanced printers in the HP Multi Jet Fusion family. This machine allows us to offer a comprehensive industrial 3D printing service for businesses, from design and scanning to manufacturing and post-processing, ensuring high quality and accurate results.
The benefits of the HP 5600 include:
- High production speed: ideal for short and medium series, without compromising on quality.
- Uniform finish: each piece maintains the same density and texture, reducing batch-to-batch variability.
- Compatibility with high performance materials: as the Arkema Polyamide 12 S, which provides mechanical strength, durability and recyclability superior to 90%.
Thanks to this printer, Additium3D positions itself as the the only additive manufacturing service bureau in the Valencian Region with proprietary HP MJF 5620 technology, We offer fast, reliable and scalable solutions for local and national industry.
How HP Multi Jet Fusion technology works
HP MJF printing is based on a very precise powder fusing process:
- Dust layer: a layer of polymer powder is spread on the printing platform.
- Application of agents: the printer deposits fusing agents and detailing agents on the powder according to the digital design.
- Thermal melting: a heat source solidifies the powder where the fusing agent has been applied.
- Layered repetition: the process is repeated layer by layer until the piece is complete.
- Post-processing: Once printing is complete, the parts are cleaned and further processed to improve finish and strength, ensuring consistent industrial quality.
This method enables accurate results, with consistent tolerances and no deformation, even on complex geometries. In addition, the use of detailing agents facilitates the creation of parts with fine details and uniform textures, which sets it apart from other 3D printing technologies.
Advantages over other 3D printing technologies
Compared to other additive manufacturing techniques, HP Multi Jet Fusion offers clear advantages:
- Higher production speed: ideal for industrial production batches without sacrificing quality.
- Consistency and repeatability: every part meets the same standards, which is essential in industrial applications.
- Design flexibility: allows designs to be iterated quickly, without relying on additional moulds or tooling.
- Cost reduction: As production volumes increase, the cost per part decreases compared to traditional techniques such as injection moulding.
For these reasons, HP Multi Jet Fusion has become the technology of choice for automotive, medical, robotics, electronics and other industries looking for fast, accurate and scalable manufacturing.
Compatible materials: Arkema Polyamide 12 S
One of the main materials used in the HP MJF is the Arkema Polyamide 12 S. This polymer is ideal for industrial applications thanks to its mechanical strength, durability and thermal stability. It is also highly recyclable, allowing companies to reduce the environmental impact of their production.
Polyamide 12 S allows to manufacture:
- Housings and mechanical components
- Tooling and auxiliary moulds
- Structural parts for machinery
- Functional prototypes and small series
With this material, the HP MJF ensures that the parts are not only precise, but also functional and ready for real-world applications in industrial environments.
HP Multi Jet Fusion Applications
The versatility of this technology makes it suitable for multiple sectors:
- Automotive: production of functional components, spare parts and high-strength prototypes.
- Medicine: manufacture of customised devices, anatomical models and surgical tools.
- Robotics and electronics: precise parts for complex assemblies.
- Consumer goods: customised products and short runs with uniform finishes.
Thanks to the HP MJF, In the automotive, medical and electronics industries, complex parts can be produced with uniform finishes and consistent tolerances.
HP provides case studies of companies already implementing it in industrial environments in their resource site and success stories.
HP Multi Jet Fusion models and variants
The HP Multi Jet Fusion family includes several models tailored to different production levels:
- HP Multi Jet Fusion 4200: ideal for prototypes and small series.
- HP Multi Jet Fusion 5200 and 5600: optimal for industrial production, with increased speed and precision.
- HP 5210 Multi Jet Fusion and HP Multi Jet Fusion 580: designed for industrial environments with high repeatability and volume requirements.
At Additium3D we have the HP Jet Fusion 5600 Series, which combines speed, precision and flexibility to meet the needs of our industrial customers.
The models of HP Multi Jet Fusion have a reduction of production times, improvement in the repeatability of the parts and the ability to produce short series without moulds.
Investing in this technology allows companies to reduce long-term costs and increase efficiency in industrial additive manufacturing.
HP Multi Jet Fusion on Additium3D
In Additium3D, the HP Multi Jet Fusion is part of a comprehensive industrial 3D printing service, which covers:
- 3D modelling and design
- Scanning and digitisation of parts
- Manufacturing with HP MJF
- Post-processing and quality control
This ensures that each industrial project is professionally handled and that the parts produced meet the highest standards.
Additium3D also collaborates with high-impact projects in the healthcare sector. For example, it has been involved in the development of the first prototype of the high-resolution PET brain scanner installed in the La Fe Hospital in Valencia.
This project, supported by the Ministry of Science and financed with European recovery funds, allows earlier detection of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, thanks to a more precise, sensitive and less invasive scanner.
Additium3D's involvement in initiatives such as this demonstrates how its experience in industrial 3D printing and advanced technologies contributes to real innovation in strategic sectors, combining technological precision with solutions that make a difference in health and research.
Boost your industry with HP Multi Jet Fusion Technology
HP Multi Jet Fusion has revolutionised industrial 3D printing, combining speed, precision and consistency in the production of functional parts. Thanks to high-performance materials such as Arkema's Polyamide 12 S and Additium3D's expertise in end-to-end processes, this technology is a strategic solution for companies looking for innovation, flexibility and efficiency.
Technology HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is a powder bed fusion 3D printing system that enables the production of industrial parts with high speed, accuracy and repeatability. Unlike other technologies, MJF applies fusing and detailing agents to the powder and solidifies it layer by layer using heat, producing functional, production-ready parts. Read more about this technology here.
HP Jet Fusion works by depositing thin layers of polymer powder and applying fusing agents where the material needs to solidify. A heat system then simultaneously fuses the entire layer. This process allows parts to be printed with uniform finishes, tight tolerances and superior speed compared to other methods such as SLS.
PolyJet is another 3D printing technology from HP that works through liquid photopolymer injection which are cured with UV light layer by layer. It is ideal for rapid prototyping and visually detailed parts, but does not offer the same mechanical strength and production speed as MJF.
The binder jetting (Binder Jetting) applies an adhesive on powder and requires subsequent baking, whereas MJF applies melting agents and heat directly, fusing everything in a single phase. This makes MJF faster and produces stronger, more repeatable parts.
“Jet Fusion”refers to the system of injection of chemical agents into the powder and subsequent melting by heat, which is the basis of the MJF process. The name precisely describes the combination of agent “jetting” and the “fusing” that occurs during printing.
The MJF process consists of:
Deposit a layer of polymer powder.
Apply fusing and detailing agents where needed.
Apply heat which solidifies the entire layer.
Repeat the process layer by layer until the piece is complete.
This method makes it possible to produce final parts ready for industrial use with high precision and uniform finish.
HP Utility is the software that accompanies MJF printers, allowing you to control print jobs, manage materials, schedule maintenance and optimise production flow. It is the tool that ensures maximum efficiency and reliability of the HP Multi Jet Fusion system.
