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Multi-jet fusion (MJF for short) is an advanced 3D printing technologythat combines the advantages ofselective laser sintering (SLS)and material jetting technology to achieve high-precision and high-efficiency 3D printing through a unique printing process. This article will introduce in detail the principles, applications and advantages of multi-jet fusion technology.

What is multi jet fusion？

MultiJet Fusion (MJF for short)is an advanced 3D printing technology that combines jet technology and powder bed fusion technology. It selectively applies fusing agents and refiners to the powder layer through an inkjet array, and then heats it to fuse it into a solid layer to build a three-dimensional object layer by layer.

What Are the Advantages of Multi Jet Fusion?

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology is an advanced3D printing process.Its advantages mainly include the following aspects:

• Fast printing speed: multiple nozzles cooperate to increase the speed by more than 10 times.
• High precision: spraying flux, fine agent, high-precision print head and powder spreading system, the finished product has a smooth surface, high feature resolution and consistent mechanical properties.
• Strong material adaptability:suitable for nylon, metal, ceramics and other materials, with a wide range of applications.
• Low cost: High-efficiency multi-jet melting system, low raw material cost, reduced finished product cost, and improved competitiveness.
• Environmental protection: Reduce waste and energy consumption and reduce environmental impact.
• No support structures required: simplifies post-processing in some cases.

How Does Multi Jet Fusion Work?

The implementationprocess of multi-jet fusion (MJF) technologyis meticulous and orderly, covering the following key links:

1. Powder spreading:Spread a thin layer of powder evenly and flatly on the forming platform.
2. Jetting:An inkjet array is used to selectively apply a fusing agent (used to fuse the powder particles) and a refiner (used to prevent the powder from sintering in areas where fusion is not required) on the powder layer.
3. Heating:The area where the fusing agent is sprayed is heated to the melting temperature by a heating element, so that the powder particles are fused into a solid layer.
4. Repeat:After each layer is completed, re-powder and repeat until the entire object is complete.
5. Post-processing:remove excess powder and perform necessary cleaning,polishing, etc. on the printed object.

What Materials Are Used in Multi Jet Fusion?

Multi-Jet Fusion (MJF) mainly uses the following materials:

Nylon 12 (PA12)

1. Features:PA12 is a high-performance nylon material with high strength, good abrasion resistance, chemical resistance and low moisture absorption. It maintains stable performance over a wide temperature range.
2. Application:Suitable for manufacturing various functional parts, such as automobile parts, tool handles, casings of electronic equipment, etc., especially where high strength and wear resistance are required.

Nylon 11 (PA11)

1. Features:PA11 is more flexible than PA12, has higher impact strength and better low temperature toughness. It also has good chemical and abrasion resistance.
2. Application:Suitable for manufacturing parts that require high flexibility and impact resistance, such as pipes, hoses, seals, etc.

Polypropylene (PP)

1. Features: PP is a lightweight material with good chemical resistance, heat resistance and low cost. It is easy to process and has good resistance to stress cracking.
2. Application:Suitable for manufacturing various lightweight components, such as containers, packaging materials, automotive parts, etc., especially where cost reduction and weight reduction are required.

TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane)

1. Features:TPU has rubber-like flexibility, high elasticity and wear resistance. It remains elastic over a wide temperature range and has good tear strength.
2. Application:Suitable for manufacturing parts that require elasticity, softness and wear resistance, such as soles, seals, hoses, sports equipment, etc.

How Does MJF Compare to SLS and FDM?

Compared with SLS (selective laser sintering) and FDM (fused deposition modeling), MJF (multi-jet fusion) each has unique characteristics and advantages. The following table is a detailed comparative analysis of the three:

Project	MJF	SLS	FDM
How it works	A nozzle is used to spray a flux onto the powder material, which is cured by infrared light	A laser is used to scan and sinter the powdered material	The thermoplastic material is heated to a molten state and deposited layer by layer
Print speed	Usually faster than SLS because of the faster cooling rate	Medium speed	Relatively slow
Print accuracy	High, clear details, good surface quality	High, but may be limited by laser spot size	Medium, layer lines may be more pronounced
Material adaptability	Thermoplastic polymer powders such as nylon are mainly used	A variety of powder materials such as nylon, metal, etc. can be used	Thermoplastic filaments are mainly used, such as PLA, ABS, etc
Part strength	Usually taller and has excellent mechanical properties	The strength depends on the material used, and metal parts have high strength	Interlayer adhesion may be weak, affecting the overall strength
Surface	Smooth, post-processing is required to achieve a high gloss finish	Smooth, but may require additional sanding	There may be lamination and post-treatment is required
Equipment costs	Taller, industrial-grade equipment	Medium to high, depending on configuration and usage	Lower, suitable for individuals and small studios
Application scenarios	Industrial-grade manufacturing, complex parts and low-volume production	Rapid prototyping, metal and plastic parts manufacturing	Prototyping, education, personal hobbies

What Are the Industrial Applications of Multi Jet Fusion?

Multi-jet fusion technology is an advanced 3D printing technology with a wide range of applications, including but not limited to the following aspects:

• Prototype design and development:Quickly and accurately print complexprototypesto help designers and engineers verify iterations. The prototypes are high-precision and have excellent mechanical properties, and can be used for functional testing and user experience evaluation.
• End-use parts manufacturing:Not limited to prototypes, high-strength, high-toughness, wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant parts can be directly manufactured to meet industrial needs.
• Medical and prosthetic limbs: widely used in surgical guides, rehabilitation braces, insoles and prosthetic equipment. Personalized design and precise fit improve patient function and quality of life.
• Auto parts:Automobile manufacturers use MJF to quickly print engine parts, transmission systems, interior parts, etc., with high precision and excellent mechanical properties, shortening the development cycle and reducing costs.
• Aerospace:Used to print lightweight and durable parts, such as air ducts, brackets, and casings, with high strength-to-weight ratio, withstand extreme temperatures and pressures, and meet special requirements.
• Consumer goods manufacturing:used ineyeglass frames, mobile phone cases, electronic product cases, etc., personalized design, exquisite appearance, rapid customization and mass production.
• Education and scientific research:Help students and researchers conduct experiments and research, and explore new design concepts and manufacturing technologies.

What Are the Cost Considerations of Multi Jet Fusion?

Thecost considerations of Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)mainly include the following aspects:

1. Initial equipment investment:Theprice of MJF technology 3D printersis high, which is an important initial cost. High-performance equipment is more expensive but has higher accuracy and efficiency.
2. Material cost:MJF powder material costs vary, and the choice affects the quality and performance of printed parts, but technology can efficiently utilize materials to reduce costs.
3. Volume and complexity of printed parts:directly affects printing time and material usage. Large volumes or complex structures result in high costs.
4. Post-processing costs:MJF parts usually do not require support structures to reduce costs, but the costs of cleaning, sintering, polishing and other steps still need to be considered.
5. Production efficiency and batch size:MJF technology has high production efficiency and low average cost during mass production because fixed costs are shared.
6. Maintenance and operating costs:including regular maintenance, replacement of worn parts, etc., are cost factors that cannot be ignored.

Summary

As an advanced3D printing technology, multi-jet fusion technology has the advantages of high precision, high efficiency, material diversity and cost-effectiveness. It has broad application prospects in many fields and can promote innovation and development in the manufacturing industry. With the continuous advancement of technology and reduction of costs,multi-jet fusion technology is expectedto become one of the mainstream technologies in the field of 3D printing in the future.

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FAQs

1.What is multijet fusion?

MultiJet Fusion (MJF for short) is an advanced 3D printing technology that combines jet technology and powder bed fusion technology. It selectively applies fusing agents and refiners to the powder layer through an inkjet array, and then heats it to fuse it into a solid layer to build a three-dimensional object layer by layer.

2.What is the MJF process?

The MJF process is an advanced 3D printing technology. The steps include: powder spreading (evenly spreading the powder on the platform), heating (to close to the sintering temperature), spraying (using an inkjet array to apply fixatives and refiners), sintering (fusion of the powder into a solid layer), repeating (building layer by layer until completion), and post-processing (removing excess powder and cleaning and polishing the parts).

3.How is multi-jet fusion technology different from other 3D printing technologies?

Compared with other 3D printing technologies, the main difference between MJF technology lies in its working principle and material utilization method. MJF technology combines jetting technology and powder bed fusion technology to achieve the fusion of powders by precisely jetting fusing agents and refiners, while other 3D printing technologies such as FDM (fused deposition modeling) build objects layer by layer by extruding molten materials. In addition, MJF technology can efficiently utilize powder materials and reduce material waste, while other technologies such as SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) may produce more powder waste.

4.What is the future development trend of multi-jet fusion technology?

With the continuous development of 3D printing technology, MJF technology will also usher in broader development prospects. In the future, MJF technology may achieve more breakthroughs in material development, printing speed improvement, post-processing optimization, etc., further expanding its application fields and market space. At the same time, as people's demand for personalized customization and lightweight design continues to increase, MJF technology will also become one of the important tools to meet these needs.

Resource

Multi-jet fusion