HP Announces New 3D Printer, Productivity Boosts and More at RAPID + TCT

Why It Matters

The announcements lower the cost and complexity of industrial 3D printing, opening high‑performance additive manufacturing to more mid‑market firms and accelerating adoption in aerospace, healthcare and tooling sectors.

Key Takeaways

• 5600 system gains 20% faster output with High Productivity mode.
• Dual Tone tech adds white/grey textures, QR codes to MJF parts.
• New MJF 1200 printer offers 12‑liter build volume, lower entry cost.
• Metal Jet now supports copper, M247LC superalloy, and WC‑Co tooling material.
• Volkmann partnership automates powder depowdering, cleaning, and recovery for S100.

Pulse Analysis

HP’s ten‑year milestone underscores how quickly additive manufacturing has moved from niche prototyping to a core production technology. By rolling out a High Productivity mode for the Jet Fusion 5600, HP delivers a 20% boost in part throughput, directly addressing one of the industry’s biggest pain points—speed versus cost. The Dual Tone capability adds functional aesthetics, enabling manufacturers to embed QR codes or branding without secondary processes, a feature that resonates with sectors needing traceability, such as medical devices and aerospace components.

The forthcoming Multi Jet Fusion 1200 printer marks a strategic push toward democratizing large‑volume MJF printing. With a 12‑liter build chamber, automated material mixing, and integrated Magics Print for HP software, the system promises faster time‑to‑part and reduced labor overhead. Its lower price point and compact footprint make it attractive to midsize firms that previously could not justify the capital expense of larger MJF platforms, potentially expanding HP’s addressable market and spurring broader adoption of high‑performance polymers.

In the metal arena, HP’s qualification of copper, nickel‑based M247LC superalloy, and tungsten‑carbide‑cobalt powders equips the Metal Jet S100 to serve high‑temperature aerospace and precision tooling applications. The collaboration with Volkmann GmbH introduces semi‑automated powder handling, streamlining depowdering, cleaning, and recycling—critical steps for maintaining part quality and reducing material waste. Together, these advances position HP as a more versatile supplier, capable of supporting end‑to‑end additive workflows across diverse industries, and signal a continued shift toward scalable, cost‑effective 3D printing solutions.