3DPrintUK has announced a £2 million internal investment which will allow the increase of capacity and the reduction of prices.
The expansion will boost HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) capacity by up to 60% and reduce prices by an average of 20%. It comes as a result of 3DPrintUK’s acquisition by the TriMech Group and Solid Solutions in 2023.
Three HP 5210 PRO systems will be added to 3DPrintUK’s arsenal, reducing lead times.
The anticipated price drop will lead to the manufacturing of products using MJF becoming more affordable than the use of traditional processes including injection moulding.
3DPrintUK intends for customers to choose between injection moulding and 3D printing based on strategic decision making rather than cost.
As a result of the expansion, 3DPrintUK is the largest MJF service provider in the UK, and aims to “target the higher volume manufacturing areas of the sector,” said CEO Nick Allen.
3DPrintUK has also announced the launch of its RAMP calibration system across all its Powder Bed Fusion technologies, which will improve quality control.
The new system analyses thousands of data points across hundreds of hours, fine-tuning each machine for maximum accuracy and repeatability.
The investment supports a shift towards reducing reliance on overseas production, mitigating risks including custom delays and shipping disruptions, and helping to reach sustainability goals.
“With this capacity boost, we’re enabling customers to scale their production within the AM ecosystem for longer,” said Allen.
“The expanded machine fleet allows us to offer lower prices, faster lead times, and greater flexibility.”
The second phase of the expansion is set to be revealed later this year.