My work involves working with customers and their application specific needs and trying to determine which materials on the 2500Plus Multi-jet printer are best for specific use cases.  Many once-valid opinions about additive materials are now myths.

The MJP 2500Plus now expands to 10 materials: five rigid class, two engineering grade, two elastomeric and one specialty for high temps.  VisiJet® M2 MultiJet Printing materials are for functional precision plastic and elastomeric parts. The rigid materials offer watertightness for evaluation of fluid flow performance.  Following are highlights and use cases for some of the materials:

VisiJet Armor is a tough, ABS-like impact resistant material.

• Impact-resistant
• ABS-like for snaps & drilling, jigs and fixtures, patterns and molds
• World-class clear finish

VisiJet Rigid Grey

• Primer Gray finish = exceptional feature detail viewing
• Simple visual modeling applications
• Medical Applications

VisiJet ProFlex

• Durable, Polypropylene-like, High Impact Material
• Capable of creating living hinge parts with multiple full actuations
• Exceptional clarity
• Ideal for applications requiring deformable plastic

VisiJet Rigid M2R-CL and WT; VisiJet CR-CL and WT materials are bio-compatible

USP Class VI - Rigid materials for the ProJet MJP 2500 and 5600 have passed USP Class VI biocompatibility certification.

• Short term contact with human skin (30 days)
• Mucosal-membrane (24 hrs)

ISO 10993 - Rigid materials for the ProJet MJP 2500 have passed the following testing criteria:

• ISO 10993-5 - Cytotoxicity
• ISO 10993-10 Sensitization Maximization Irritation
• ISO 10993-10 Intracutaneous Reactivity

VisiJet M2S-HT90

• Heat resistance with high heat deflection temperature at 90°C
• Excellent humidity/moisture resistance
• Rigid and transparent
• Biocompatible
• Molds and dies for rapid tooling applications

  -Under-the-hood components
  -Heated fluids and gasses flow analysis
  -Electronics enclosures/cases

• Medical applications

For a quick look, 3D Systems also created an eBook that provides an overview of the 2500Plus materials portfolio.  In addition to features and material properties, the eBook (http://info.mastergraphics.com/3d-systems-rapid-prototyping-ebook) provides guidance on how to assess additive materials, and what you should be looking for.  
Download the eBook to learn:

• When to prototype, why and how to achieve faster time to market
• How to reduce development cycles, lead-time and engineering effort
• Prototyping for agile manufacturing, and key questions to ask before getting started 
• How to use CAD data for design verification and types of prototyping
• 3D printing technologies for rapid prototyping and choosing the best solution

Here's a question we're often asked:

"How much could my business save with 3D printing?"

That can vary depending on the application/need your company would be using 3D printing.  But a great place to start is by looking at other companies and how they have successfully achieved large ROI's with additive manufacturing.

• Figure 4 Standalone enables contract manufacturer to exceed customer expectations with injection-molded quality 3D printed parts. Click here to read case study.

• True-to-CAD accuracy and quick 3D printing speeds of 3D Systems ProJet® MJP 2500 fast track product development at Bushnell. To read Bushnell case study click here.

Eggshell molding is 3D printings hidden gem application.  Eggshell molding is a sacrificial technique where a thin mold is printed and then material is injected into the mold.  The resulting mold is then broken away.  

Creating the eggshell mold is relatively simple; a CAD user creates a positive 0 set on the external surface of the model, then removes the original CAD to leave a hollow shell.  The resulting shell is, typically in the 3D Systems Figure 4's case, 0.3 mm thick.  The CAD designer will then add features to allow the injection of the material and some vents to prevent air pockets.

The shell is then printed using Figure 4 standalone and the specific eggshell molding resin 3D Systems has developed, "Eggshell-AMB 10."  The Figure 4 EGGSHELL-AMB 10 material is specifically engineered for the eggshell molding process.  A material like silicone can then be injected in using a syringe and the shell is then broken out with ease by hand because of the elastomeric properties of the usual end-use material.  

- For casting silicone parts in any durometer
     - Elongation at break: 5%
     - Tensile modulus: 2765 MPa
     - Impact strength (notched Izod): 15 J/m
     - Heat Deflection Temperature @ 0.455 MPa: 89°C 

For a quick look at the Eggshell -AMB 10 material properties, review the link:http://infocenter.3dsystems.com/materials/material-library/figure-4/figure-4-eggshell-amb-10

HP is committed to partnering with 3rd party companies to bring new materials to the additive manufacture industry.  

BASF a partner with HP, recently introduced a new Polypropylene material (HP 3D High Reusability PP). 

Polypropylene is among the most used plastics in manufacturing today, it is one of the strongest plastics on the market and has a high heat tolerance. The Polypropylene used in the HP Jet Fusion will give you similar properties of polypropylene used in the injection molding process. The new material not only delivers high productivity but also reduces waste by enabling up to 100% re-usability of the surplus powder.

You can find Polypropylene used by manufactures in the medical, automotive and industrial areas to name a few. In the automotive industry, the PP can be used in a vehicle’s interior and exterior finishes, not only for prototyping but also for production of final parts.

I was excited to find the article below from Develop 3D, it shows HP’s commitment to bringing new material to the AM world. As well as to learn of HP helping customers with new and expanded 3D Professional Services to continue moving forward in digital manufacturing.

https://develop3d.com/3d-printing/hp-polypropylene-3d-printing-material-expands-applications/

What is the number one reason to leverage 3D printing?  My new answer.....Innovation.

Having been involved in the 3D print industry for over a decade, many people ask me the reasons for implementing 3D print.  My standard answer is usually it's not just one reason but it's the desire for a company to reduce time to market, produce goods not possible before, reduce costs, and be more innovative.  The last item – innovation – being the one that very rarely people asked me to expand on.  In reading a recent article from Kathleen Gallagher from the BizTimes in Milwaukee – I had an aha moment.  We should all focus on innovation!

She wrote a great article on the recent struggles of Briggs and Stratton and their lack of innovation.  You can read her article here:   BizTime Viewpoints: Lack of innovation explains collapse of Briggs & Stratton

I do realize the challenges Briggs and Stratton faced went well beyond innovation but it put it in perspective when I try to work with clients to help explain how best in class companies are leveraging 3D print.  Most people look to 3D printing for prototypes or to replace existing processes directly but what we need to look at is how to be innovative in leveraging game changing technology – whether 3D print or something else.  With 3D print technologies from HP and Carbon, now is the time to really look at not only your current challenges but future opportunities.  Look to be innovative.  It won't be fast or simple but look to be a game changer to ensure your future success. 

When I look at the typical design process I break it into 4 basic steps.  

1. Sales/Marketing - Develop an idea
2. Design & Engineering - Create the actual design
3. Test & Validation - The process to produce the good is developed
4. Manufacturing & Production - Goods are actually produced
   

This design wheel represents my view.

To me – if you apply “innovative” thinking to each step and how 3D printing can move your company forward – this is the future we desire. Of course we will still have the standard applications where prototypes improve time to market or decrease errors but real innovation will come when you look at additive manufacturing differently. You will need to change old processes, put new standards in place, think differently, etc… This needs to start at a management level so that employees are encouraged to challenge old ways and look at new markets. Often we see the end engineers using 3D print to solve current pains – not develop new applications or markets.

Getting back to Kathleen’s article, it’s tough for any company to survive 100+ years and the only way to do so is evolve and innovate. You can’t be the same company over time. Think of Apple and Microsoft for how they have evolved and innovated. Even MasterGraphics as a smaller company has only been able to survive 70+ years because we have evolved and re-innovated ourselves to be completely different than we were from our origins. Yes, we serve the same industries, but with different solutions.

I encourage you to really step back, to view 3D print anew and how it may be able to move your business forward. At the beginning the end goal is usually a “pipe” dream but as we all have experienced, it does not take long for innovation to deliver on future dreams. Hello self driving cars!

I look forward to any thoughts about what I wrote – even challenges to my thinking. You can take a closer look at the latest 3D print technologies here http://www.mastergraphics.com/3d-printers/ but most importantly if you want to have a discussion around innovation – don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

With the pandemic limiting in-person visits, we have set up a Digital Manufacturing Lab featuring HP's Multi Jet Fusion technology.  We have the ability to remotely demo both the production 5200 series and the Prototype-Lite Production 500 series printers.

To schedule your pre-demo call and lock in your date and time please contact Gene Call at 608-210-2735 or email gene.call@mastergraphics.com.  

One of MasterGraphics' most recent HP 3D customers is in Minneapolis, MN.  We worked with Graco to add MJF 3D print technology to their arsenal of CNC and machining applications.  They did have 1 large FDM machine but it could not even come close to the capability of their new HP 4210 3D printer.  Kurt Sjodin of Graco is overjoyed at the types of parts being produced on Graco's new addition. 

Here are some recent Linkedin posts that show just some of the applications Graco found for their newest addition to the already state of the art manufacturing plant.  As someone once said "A picture can say a thousand words." 



We have been in the Additive Manufacturing space for 12 years and help our clients understand and effectively implement 3D print.  We look to address the following challenges:

• Improve Innovation
• Accelerate Product Development
• Reduce Costs

Not sure if any of those challenges exist for you? We realize most of the people we talk to don't have an immediate application - however, I believe it's critical to be aware of groundbreaking technology and plan for its impact.

We specialize in HP 3D print technology but also know when different technologies are a better fit and are not afraid to say that we don't have an equipment fit.

Check out two of our previous blogs to understand how we see the market and how HP technology works. 

MG: How HP MJF 3D Printing Works
MG: Why Additive Manufacturing is Unstoppable

Let's setup a call, I promise to keep the conversation short, to the point and worthwhile. Let me know what is a good time and date to connect and I will schedule a call.

Thank you,

Jim Hill 
3D Account Manager

Did you miss our webinar on Additive Manufacturing in Education that we did with HP?  Don't worry I did too,  good thing we recorded it.  I just got done watching the webinar and I am excited to share a few new things I learned.

The first thing I am super excited to tell about (even went home and shared it with my family) was the HP 580 Multi Jet Fusion (3D printer) has 140 3D printed parts inside it.  HP used one of its production machines and printed the parts to be used inside.  I found this so cool!  Think of the opportunities this can lead to for a supply parts business.

Another thing I learned was what great opportunities HP and even my own company have to offer institutions educating our future workforce in additive manufacturing. HP has created a curriculum that is easy for institutions to obtain free, simply by filling out a survey.  And MasterGraphics can train new students on systems or help institutions with fund raising.

I encourage you to watch the webinar for yourself to learn more about how HP and MasterGraphics can help support education for the future.

View the webinar on our youtube channel: 

Kevin posted an eBook for educators previously and I wanted to follow that up with another great HP e-book on how HP Jet Fusion is opening new opportunities for higher education.   We at MasterGraphics have seen how 3D printing is genuinely transformational for manufacturing and believe higher education institutions will play a central role in driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution.  Together we can change the landscape of design for all manufacturing.  Students with access to innovative technology, such as HP’s Multi Jet Fusion 3D printers, will have the skills demanded by industry when they graduate. 

This e-book outlines the transformative effect 3D printing will continue to have on the way we design and manufacture, and the role higher education will play in the process. It covers the basics of Additive Manufacturing, how 3D printing began, how it has evolved, and how it will change the culture of design.

As Kevin mentioned previously, we believe in the potential of 3D printing and the need for higher education to have the right technology in place.  Enjoy the read and feel free to reach out to me if you think we can assist in anyway with your efforts to build the workforce of the future.   

Download Ebook

Gene Call
gene.call@mastergraphics.com
800-873-7238 x2735