Düsseldorf, Germany — HP Inc. showed its new industrial 3D printer at K 2019, the HP Jet Fusion 5200 Series.
HP, known for its inkjet printing technology, has expanded into 3D printing to make finished products, a process called direct manufacturing. The company showed off dramatic parts at its K show booth, including an American football helmet developed by Montreal-based Kupol. The helmet has a rigid shell and cushioning on the inside.
The Jet Fusion 5200 system is designed to print plastics. The 3D printer looks like a large copy machine. It melts powder layer by layer — one layer every five seconds — and produces smooth-surface parts, said Lars Bertenbreiter, sales manager for Germany for the HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing business.
The 3D printer can produce up to 10,000 pieces, said Frank Petrolli, sales manager for Germany of 3D printing and digital manufacturing.
At the K show, HP was introducing new printable thermoplastic urethanes — shown in the football helmet liners.
"We are able to show that 3D printing is a valuable solution for the industrial market," Petrolli said.
A separate machine preheats the powder, before it goes into the Jet Fusion 5200.
