MJF printing – what is it?
3D printing is carried out using a variety of 3D printing techniques and filaments, the materials needed to create prototypes, parts and finished products. One of these is the MJF technology developed by HP. What does it consist of and what are its advantages?
What is MJF printing?
MJF is an acronym for Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology. It is an advanced incremental engineering technology that allows 3D objects to be produced using plastics. It is also referred to as powder technology, which does not use a laser to cure the material. So how do powdered plastics come together?
The printing device heats the powder bed uniformly, resulting in a melting phenomenon. This form of concentration of the plastic material allows it to be injected where the particles should be selectively fused. To improve resolution, MJF technology also uses a decorating agent injected around the contours of the object. As the MJF printer lamps pass over the surface of the powder bed, the injected material absorbs the heat and helps to distribute it evenly.
The MJF 3D printing technique uses materials such as:
- PA 11 and PA 12 polyamides (nylon).
- TPU elastomers – BASF and Lubrizol.
By far the most commonly used material is Polyamide PA 12, with its characteristic grey-graphite colour.
Advantages of MJF technology
MJF 3D printing is devoid of the disadvantages that are unfortunately attributed to other 3D printing methods. Multi Jet Fusion is characterised by very high productivity and precision, with repeatable parts and unparalleled production flexibility. It is a 3D printing method belonging to the powder fusion family. Models are created by thermally fusing or sintering polymer powder particles, precisely layer by layer.
With its use, the production of parts and components in 3D printing can take place in the shortest possible time. It has even been estimated that this technology is up to 30 times faster than classic FDM 3D printing technology and up to 10 times faster than the competing SLS powder technology.
Features of products made using the MJF printer
The advantage of 3D printing using MJF technology is the high mechanical strength of the parts and objects produced. This is achieved thanks to the uniform fully-filled structure. Such 3D printing makes it possible to print any part, even with a high degree of component complexity, and the cost of printing depends on the amount of material used.
At the same time, it should be emphasised that the resulting products have a high repeatability – they are the same in relation to each other, with a dimensional accuracy of up to 0.2 mm. The MJF method in 3D printing allows the production of functional parts of any geometry, with smooth surfaces and low porosity. Multi Jet Fusion uses fine-grained materials, which results in the ability to create ultra-thin layers of 80 microns.
What parts are printed using MJF technology?
Using MJF 3D printing technology, small series of end parts characterised by complex geometry or prototypes, can be produced for testing shape, function and fit. Nothing prevents MJF from being used to produce small series of components with mechanical properties comparable to those of injection-moulded parts.
HP MJF 3D technology has so far been used by Italian company Biesse, among others, to create piston rods, pulleys and gears, joints and other parts. It has reduced the delivery time for components previously produced using CNC machining from 20 days to one day and cut the company’s own costs by 67%.
Sigma Design, on the other hand, uses MJF printing to produce parts used in fruit labelling machines. An example is the vacuum applicator connector. FICEP Steel Surface Systems is the world’s leading supplier of machinery to structural steel manufacturers and uses 3D MJF technology to develop its daVINCI automated priming and painting line.
More companies are recognising the many valuable advantages of MJF technology in the production of prototypes and parts of various types. They appreciate the speed of production, the high quality of the components and the fact that they can reduce the weight of the machines and equipment in which they are installed.
Do you need 3D printing with MJF technology? Write to our expert, who will help guide you through the entire process and suggest the best solutions
Contact an expert who will help you choose the right 3D printing technology