Sep 29, 2014
HP is working on developing 3D printing technology and plans to enter into 3D printing market in 2014, announced HP CEO Meg Whitman last year. As part of its ongoing RAGNAROK (Research on Advancing Glass & Non-organic Applications to Recreate Objects & Kinetics) project in 2012, HP Labs is looking at glass as a potential candidate for use in 3D printing.
A recent job ad for a "robotics scientist for 3D printing" on HP's site for its Bristol, UK location read this:
"HP Labs' research into printing of inorganic materials is working towards hybrid printing of glass (and other inorganic materials) onto items that are already mass produced. As part of this activity we have a vacancy for someone primarily with experience in robotics, to lead the building of novel prototype robotic platforms that will be used to produce 3D printed structures on the surface of objects that are not planar."
HP wants to lead 3D printing, said Whitman last year. It seems pretty nature for HP to enter the 3D printing market. HP first ventured into the 3D printing space through a early partnership with Stratasys, which was created in 2010 to produce HP-branded 3D printers. The partnership ended in 2012. but HP's R&D team continues to explore the many possibilities of 3D printing.
On the left, the sample is made from particles with an average diameter of 700 nm. On the right, the average particle size was 50 μm. Both samples were fired following the same firing schedule. Image source: HP
Hp's 3D printing division at Princeton University has noticed the eco friendly material like glass. According to HP's paper '3D Printing in Transparent Glass' in 2012: "With 90% of the earth's crust composed of silicate minerals, there will be no shortage of silica resources. Glass is easy to recycle and environmentally friendly. Glass is inexpensive but looks precious; it's pleasant to the touch and is so familiar that customers won't be disappointed by its fragility."
Print transparent glass is still the challenge for current 3D printers and HP has been exploring the use of glass and several possible ways of printing it. No further details about its 3D glass printing technology, but if glasses could be added as a new material for 3D printing, it will for sure help boost the industry.
HP is planning to enter the commercial 3D-printing market in October with "big technology announcement". Although it is probably not a 3D glass printer, but it says "HP is currently exploring the many possibilities of 3D printing and the company will play an important role in its development."
Posted in 3D Printing Company
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"Wild Bob wrote at 9/29/2014 5:11:52 PM: Is HP printing with snot !!!" God Nose! ;-) Maybe HP's new printing technology utilises the power of the sneeze!
TTB wrote at 9/29/2014 7:40:05 PM:
it's renewable resource^^
Wild Bob wrote at 9/29/2014 5:11:52 PM:
Is HP printing with snot !!!
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