Since 2014, we’ve been working with Hewlett Packard to test and refine their revolutionary Multi Jet Fusion 3D 4200 printer. After months of rigorous trials, we’re proud to announce that, starting today, you can sign up for early access to its unprecedented capabilities.
The HP MJF printer’s nylon plastic material is incredibly strong, smooth and dense. This could lead to lower-cost functional parts and leaner, stronger prints of everything from jewelry to complex miniatures. But we need your help to find its limits.
Bracelets by Shapeways designer mulderendevries
Thanks to your always-expanding variety of designs, we’ve been able to work with HP to drive the evolution of the MJF printer. We’ve tested a huge array of geometries and print orientations, and we’re excited to invite you to further test the MJF printer and refine how we use it. So, give us your most complex, innovative, mind-bending 3D models. Push your imagination (and this material) to the limit. We can’t wait to see what you come up with.
The printer itself is an incredible breakthrough, allowing greater precision at faster build speeds, and unmatched 80% post-printing material reusability. It also lays the groundwork for next-generation features like full-color plastic, conductive pathways, improved product quality, next-day delivery, and lower costs. Today, it’s already one of the coolest machines — and strongest nylon materials — that we’ve seen.
Starry D20 Balanced Gaming Die by Shapeways designer Tiny Tokens
So sign up today for early access to the HP printer’s unprecedented new nylon plastic material, available in fresh-from-the-printer speckled grey or dyed matte black. We’ll soon be making the printer accessible to everyone, but at this point we’ll be sending out invitations to a selection of those who sign up for early access.
We look forward to seeing your designs and hearing your feedback. After all, you are the most important part of this latest leap forward for Shapeways and HP.
Homepage image: Mega Flora Ring by Nervous System, printed by Shapeways
You can find out more about the partnership and HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology in this exclusive first look from Make.
given that some of us live outside the US, and shipping costs are pretty high while i would love to test it i dont think i would be able to, but i hope you het enough good feedback with this one
Hi Felipe! For those whom we’re able to include in this round of testing, we’ll be offering an incentive to show our appreciation for their feedback and help in further developing the offering, so feel free to sign up, since you may find the cost is not an issue!
What dimensional accuracy does this printer currently achieve?
The HP spec list the print head at 1200dpi (x & y 0.02mm) and layer heights (z) as low as 0.07mm:
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/pdf/printers/3d-printers/4AA6-4892ENA-P.pdf
However elsewhere the actual dimensional accuracy is quoted somewhat vaguely as “0.2mm and improving”:
https://3dprint.com/133713/hp-mjf-3d-printer-unveiled
Thanks, Duncan
Hi Duncan,
We’re currently achieving +/- 0.2 mm, and you can view more about wall thickness and other material properties here.
Hi Angela,
I would love to participate in the early access program, however by signing up you are asking makers to agree that:
“[model owners] grant [Shapeways] the right to use […] prints of the 3D designs that [model owners] have uploaded for the marketing and promotion of Shapeways and/or its services […] This grant includes [Shapeways] right to sub-license the right to third parties”
Please could you explain what all this means, it appears to imply that commercially valuable 3D designs should not be uploaded.
Kind regards,
Trygon
Hi Trygon,
This means that, if you grant us permission, just like the designers whose products you see in the article above did, we may either display your models in person or depict them in images when we share news about the machine and the material. If your model is for sale, this could lead to increased sales of your products. You will also be able to use any images that we create of your prints in your own marketing of your products (for example, in your shop), for free. In practice, we normally reach out if your models will be used in any promotional materials as a courtesy (and to thank you!), and provide attribution/links to your shop whenever possible (click on any of the images above to see how it works). Whether we share images or not, your models will help us understand the machine better, and if we’re sharing images of them, that means they’ve been successful prints that you’ll get to enjoy as well. Importantly, the license you grant us is for the limited purpose of marketing and promotion. It is not a general license to sell your models independently of you or to set up a competing sales channel.
“This grant includes [Shapeways] right to sub-license the right to third parties””
I’m not seeing an answer to what this in particular means. Yes, it does sound like Shapeways can sub-license (sell) your designs. Clarification needed.
Hi Amy, to reiterate, this does not refer to your model files, only prints of them and images of those prints, to be used exactly as you see them used in this post. Other than this kind of online marketing and promotional featuring of your printed designs, this means that if we go to a trade show or conference, as we often do, we may display them as examples of what designers like you can do on Shapeways, but we will do all we can to point the people viewing the prints directly to your shop, if your models are offered for sale. We do not sell your models after printing; we always point people to your shop or to Shapeways in general as a place where such things can be made or purchased. Does that make sense?
Yes if it means “sublicense the right to third parties” is solely the instance(s) of a person (being the 3rd party) ordering a print copy which is what the designer agreed to. And even that doesn’t apply to someone uploading for their personal use and not selling it on the Shapeways web site (store). User uploading and Shapeways (demo/tradeshow use) is two party, not third party.
I signed up for access, but when I log in, I see the usual options and my biggest model (very large) looks to be accommodated, yet listed as passed “Strong and Flexible”/White. Should we be seeing something under nylon?
Hi Amy,
We can only allow a small subset of those who have signed up for early access to use the material at this time, but we’ll be progressively opening up the program to more participants. You’ll receive an email if you’re selected.
They are called Beta customers and invitations don’t go out to general community. Bad form.
“We’re having a pool party!”
“Oh wait, not you.”
“Not you either.”