MAKE: HP had previously mentioned that they would be entering the 3D printing market with their own hardware. Today they announced what that hardware will be. Targeting the commercial 3D printing industry, they’re showing off their Multi Jet Fusion Printer.
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This printer is making some big claims that is can print up to 10 times faster than leading companies today. HP also claims that their machine is much more precise than other brands. Although this is great information, their machine is expected to reach market sometime in 2016, two years away. Do they not think that other companies will be more advanced by then too? 3D printing technology is something that grabs my attention, but I still don't see where its going. Will be interesting to see where this product goes in the future.
More and more big corporations are getting into the 3-D printing game. It makes sense for a company like HP that already makes conventional printers to expand into the 3-D market. The technology and advances HP claims to have made are pretty impressive too. While they are not the first or only company to make a full color printer it is still an impressive feature. What really stands out is the speed. If it can really print as fast as advertised, it will be a pretty big step forward. Most of these advances that I have seen have come from start-ups using crowdfunding to get on their feet so to see such an established business venturing into this territory bodes well. That being said isn't being put on the market for at least 2 more years so that is a bit of a let down. That being said, HP could vastly improve the technology over that time and the end product that actually gets released could be even better than what they are marketing now. I would be interested to see if HP also expands into the more every day consumer market by releasing a desk-top model for cheaper. Although based on how expensive their printer ink is I doubt it'll be affordable.
It makes a lot of sense that HP is entering the 3D printing realm, though I'm kind of surprised that they haven't come out with a printer before now. But I guess it makes sense because they really seem like they want to make a huge leap forward with their printer rather than just coming out with a very similar printer to what everyone else already has. And if it can really print at the speed it says it can it will be impressive enough as is. But it also says they will be able to print in full color. I was disappointed to see that it won't come out for another two years, and that makes me a bit worried for them. They're giving all their competition time to try to create their own version of 3D printer that can match the speed and color of theirs. I think we are going to see a rise in other companies stretching the limits of 3D printing in the next few years spurred on by what HP is bragging to have.
You know, I've spent my fair share of time fighting with 2d printers. Whether it's paper jams, faulty toner cartridges, connectivity issues, job que confusion, or oh-god-why-is-it-still-not-printing-make-it-work scenarios, there is still a lot of work to be done on the current status of paper printers. So you will have to forgive me when I don't believe that HP can deliver a printer that is 10 times faster and more efficient than any other printer out there. Really guys? As much as I would like to believe all of the claims, it seems unrealistic that a company that has yet to put out any 3d printers will have surpassed all other 3d print companies in only two years. Companies that have already introduced their printers to the consumer market have the advantage years of feedback on the performance and user-interaction of their products, something that HP will only begin to receive in 2016.
I think its a smart move for HP to enter the 3-D printing realm, especially since the field of standard printing has already been mastered and themes stand tall as a lead competitor. While I think their claims sound impressive, and I'd definitely love to see a machine that prints 10X faster than all others, and has a resolution of 20 microns, I think the most promising thing about HP's 3-D printer is the promise that such a well known printing company is establishing themselves in this field. I think HP's presence in 3-D printing will be a major push towards aiming 3-D printing towards the capable individual consumer rather than the large design firm. With HP in the game it will pressure other companies like Epson and Brother to create their own better, cheaper, printers and this competition will only be more useful for making the equipment more available and efficient for the common man.
It was only a matter of time until HP hopped onto the 3D printing train. As for people's suspicion regarding the speed of this printer, I have no doubt that HP can hold up to their claims, especially when dropping to 20 microns of precision as compared to the 200-800 of the slower printers. HP is no new comer the the printing game and they definitely have some tricks up their sleeves to make for a successful, fast printer. I'm also excited to see the multijet system make a rise again. There doesn't seem to be that much emphasis on the capabilities and opportunities that multicast have to offer.
I’m surprised it took HP this long to get into the 3D printer game. I’m excited about the machine as long as the cartridges don’t cost more than the machine does initially, like the cartridges for many HP products do.
I’m skeptical about the printer actually working 10x faster than the competition, and having a precision higher than that of laser sintering, but I guess we’ll just have to see.
I also want to know what HPs market is for this machine. What is its price point? How available will it be? Can I buy it at Best Buy?
It’s not a dumb question. We will be buying 3D printers at Best Buy before we know it.
Its cool to see printer companies getting into the 3D printer game, it signals that 3D printing is finally being accepted into the mainstream and therefore will hopefully go down in price soon too. This reminds me of another product I recently learned about, a robotic vacuum made by Dyson. When fringe technology is adopted by mainstream companies, it is cool to see how they can use their considerably higher resources to clean it up and reduce the overhead of it, making it into something that is affordable and easy to use by the average consumer.
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