Just in time for its 20th anniversary, Solidpro has begun a new chapter in its company history by bringing 3D printing to the fore. The Langenau-based specialist for 3D product development and digital manufacturing solutions has constructed and recently inaugurated an HP 3D printing demo centre. Customers and anyone interested in 3D printing will be able to experience live demonstrations highlighting the opportunities and benefits of this exceptional HP technology.
The new, 100 m2 demo centre houses a full HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200 print solution, which consists of a Processing Station to prepare the printing process and allow the finished product to cool, a Build Unit to transport print materials and finished products, as well as the printer itself. Several Build Units can be used successively to enable a variety of manufacturing scenarios, including 24-hour production.
“The speed and flexibility with which the HP system is able to transform digital models into high-quality, 3D-printed parts make it an ideal solution for prototyping and serial production. It’s therefore incredibly appealing for additive manufacturing service providers as well as companies that would like to apply such processes in house,” comments Werner Meiser, Managing Director of Solidpro GmbH.
HP Jet Fusion 3D systems are based on HP’s latest Multi Jet Fusion technology. Compared with previous 3D print technology, such as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), Multi Jet Fusion accelerates the entire process up to ten times while also decreasing manufacturing costs up to 50 per cent depending on the component and quantity produced. Thermoplastics like PA 12, which have been a staple of injection moulding for decades, serve as the basic printing material.
Through its unique multi-agent printing process, the system ensures extraordinary dimensional accuracy and fine detail. And thanks to its closed-cycle design and use of non-hazardous material, it can be employed at construction-related sites. In addition, up to 80 per cent of post-production PA 12 surplus can be reused.
Solidpro supports customers from the initial consulting session to system delivery and startup, and also provides after-sales support by certified service technicians. HP has partnered with Solidpro for 20 years, extending the scope of their cooperation last year to the pioneering field of 3D printing. “We’re proud to be among the specialists hand-picked by HP to help drive this technology in Germany,” states Mr Meiser.