Gunaseelan Murugesan
Introduction To MultiJet 3D Technology:
Multijet 3D printing technology is also referred as MJF, originated from HP company. MJF Printers are widely famous for rapid additive manufacturing of prototypes, and are adapted by many industries in a broad range.
Keep reading the article to know completely regarding the history, what actually MJF means, working process, materials used, pros and cons and applications of Multi Jet Fusion technology.
An overview of Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing:
HP introduces the latest MJF 3D printing technology which is ideal for the rapid production of functional prototypes with low density and smooth surfaces. Parts printed in this technique are low porous in contrast to other layer sintering methods.
Since MJF prints highly accurate parts with low cost, it could be easily operated by beginners as well as experienced operators. MJF printers are widely used in sociocultural sectors and medical industries. Moreover, they are also used to produce damaged parts of cars and internal designing of houses.
History of Multi Jet Fusion Printing:
HP(Hewlett-Packard) launched the Multi Jet Fusion printer into the market in the year 2016. It is recorded that the company has invested for decades on suitable materials for ink jetting. The word multi in the MJF technology indicates that its printer consists of multiple heads for jetting the ink. The heating process along with the recoating of material and its distribution on the print plate are monitored by distinct head arrays in unique directions.
As we know that MJF is similar to metal 3D printing, but it is important to note the difference that MJF uses only plastic(particularly nylon) materials, while other metal 3D printing methods use metals as the print materials.
What Is Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing Technology?
An additive 3D printing technology in which functional prototypes are printed with the help of nylon materials is called Material Jet Fusion(MJF) technology. It is a powder-bed fusion 3d printing technology with multiple print heads. The MJF printers print smooth finished parts with high featured resolution within a matter of hours.
How Does MultiJet 3D Printer Work?
An inkjet array is used to fuse the material(nylon) powder layer-by-layer selectively without the use of lasers. The detailing agents are also used to assure the production of smooth surfaces. Both the fusing agent and the detailing agent are made to accumulate on the print bed and that region is flaunted to a particular amount of heat, then both the agents react with each other and turn out into a solid layer. The process is continued by applying the powder uniformly on the print bed till the complete object or desired prototype is formed.
The printed prototype is sent to the processing site to remove the residues with the help of a vacuum. It is now time to bead blast the part accumulated with excess powder by applying high pressure. The last step of the process is to dye the part with black colour in order to increase its cosmetic appearance, this whole step takes place in the finishing department of the printer.
Merits And Demerits:
Merits:
- Precise parts with fine details are produced.
- Support materials are not necessary.
- Dyed cosmetic parts can be printed.
- Porosity is least in contrast to other layer sintering methods.
- Parts are produced within a brief period of time.
- Minimum wastage of powder material because of recycling.
- Smooth finished surfaces with good quality.
- Parts are highly resistant to corrosion.
- Uses low-cost materials.
Demerits:
- Blemish grey coloured end product is produced, leading to the failure of the prototype.
- Printers are highly expensive to own.
- Highly complicated to print hollow geometric parts.
- Cosmetic parts may be disoriented during post-processing.
Applications Of Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing:
- Used in internal house designing.
- Many industries adapt MJF printers for rapid prototyping.
- Helps to produce damaged parts of automobiles.
- Used in dental laboratories.
- Greatly used for the production of custom prosthetics.
Gunaseelan Murugesan
Experienced Project Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the field of Product Design & Development industry in Mechanical Engineering. Skilled in 3D Printing and Re engineering Technologies with CATIA V5 , Materials Science, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Mimics, ANSYS Workbench and Casting Simulation software. Strong engineering professional with a Master’s Degree focused in Industrial Metallurgy from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore.
