3D Printing: Different Technologies : MJF

✦ Principle ✦ MJF utilizes a powder-based process where a fusing agent and detailing agent are selectively applied by inkjet print heads onto a bed of powdered material (usually nylon). After application, the powder is heated to fuse the material together, layer by layer.
✦ Accuracy ✦ Provides good accuracy and surface finish, comparable to SLA and SLS.
✦ Strength ✦ Provides strong and durable parts with isotropic properties.
✦ Cost ✦ Typically falls in the mid to high range in terms of both printer cost and material cost.

          ✦ Materials ✦


 

• Nylon (Polyamide)
  Nylon 12 ✦ Nylon 11

• Nylon Composites
  Nylon 12 with Glass Beads

• Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)

• Polypropylene (PP)

• Nylon with Carbon Fiber

HP developed Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology to revolutionize the 3D printing industry by offering faster production speeds, high-quality output, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions. Leveraging their expertise in inkjet printing, HP introduced MJF in 2016, focusing on precision and efficiency.

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing is an advanced additive manufacturing technology developed by HP. It works by selectively fusing powder particles layer by layer using a fine agent, followed by a detailing agent that defines the part's edges, and a heat source to fuse the material. MJF produces high-quality, durable parts with fine detail, smooth surface finishes, and excellent mechanical properties. This technology is ideal for prototyping, low-volume production, and manufacturing functional parts in the aerospace, automotive, and healthcare industries.

The Multi-Jet Fusion (MJF) printing process involves several key steps:

✦ Material Loading:

• Nylon or other suitable powder material is loaded into the printer’s build chamber.

✦ Printing:

• A thin layer of powder is spread across the build platform.
• A fusing agent is selectively jetted onto the powder where the part is to be solidified.
• A detailing agent is applied around the edges to enhance resolution and detail.
• Infrared lamps pass over the build area, causing the areas with fusing agent to solidify.

✦ Layer Building:

• The build platform lowers, and the process repeats layer by layer until the entire part is formed.

✦ Cooling:

• Once printing is complete, the build chamber cools down before part removal to ensure dimensional accuracy and reduce the risk of warping.

✦ Post-Processing:

• Excess powder is removed from the printed parts, often using an air blaster or brush.
• Additional steps such as bead blasting, dyeing, or surface treatment may be applied to achieve the desired finish and properties.

✦

✦ Automotive ✦

Fabricating intricate parts for engines, interiors, and other automotive components and also, creating lightweight yet strong parts for performance and efficiency.

✦ Healthcare ✦ 
Creating custom medical implants, prosthetics, and surgical guides. Also producing tailored orthotic devices for patient-specific treatments.

✦ Prototyping ✦

Rapidly creating durable and detailed prototypes to test form, fit, and function

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) was developed by HP Inc. and introduced in 2016. Leveraging their expertise in inkjet printing, HP created MJF to produce detailed and durable parts rapidly. Since its launch, MJF has gained recognition for its efficiency and precision, becoming a popular choice for both prototyping and manufacturing in various industries.