HP announced a series of hardware and software updates for its Multi Jet Fusion and Metal Jet platforms at RAPID + TCT in Boston. The company introduced a high productivity print mode for the Jet Fusion 5600 system, increasing output by 20 percent and adding support for PA 12 Glass Beads. HP also unveiled the Multi Jet Fusion 1200 3D Printer Solution, a smaller, lower-cost system with a 12-liter build volume scheduled for early 2027. Additionally, HP expanded its Metal Jet material portfolio to include copper, M247LC nickel-based superalloys, and tungsten carbide-cobalt, while partnering with Volkmann GmbH to integrate a vPort powder management system for the S100 printer.

These updates represent a strategic effort to lower the barrier to entry for industrial MJF adoption while diversifying the material capabilities of the Metal Jet platform. By introducing the 1200 series, HP is attempting to capture the mid-market segment currently dominated by various FDM/FFF and lower-cost SLS systems. The expansion into specialized metal materials like tungsten carbide-cobalt positions HP to compete more directly in high-performance tooling and aerospace applications. This portfolio broadening is essential for HP to maintain its market share against competitors like Stratasys and EOS as the demand for scalable, production-grade additive manufacturing continues to grow.

For current users, the 20 percent productivity boost on the 5600 series offers an immediate path to improved unit economics. The 1200 series launch indicates a clear push to commoditize the MJF workflow for smaller facilities, though its success will depend on the actual cost-per-part metrics achieved at launch. Buyers should focus on the integration of the new vPort powder management system, as automated material handling remains a primary bottleneck for scaling metal binder jetting operations.