Forecast 3D
Forecast 3D 12 HP machines
The 12 HP Multi Jet Fusion machines in Forecast 3D's new 3D Manufacturing Center
Forecast 3D, a 3D printing service provider operating in California, USA, has opened the doors of its new 3D Manufacturing Center stocked with 12 HP Multi Jet Fusion platforms.
The launch of the 21,000 square-foot facility, neighbouring the company’s headquarters in Carlsbad, has encouraged Forecast 3D to invest in ten HP 3D printers, joining the two it had already acquired. The result is a fully functioning, high-volume production centre which will serve the Forecast 3D customer base in manufacturing end-use parts, as well as developing prototypes.
Donovan and Corey Weber, brothers and co-founders of Forecast 3D, were enticed from the Multi Jet Fusion platform’s launch in HP’s flagship 3D printing technology. The pair cite the machine’s ability to produce parts considerably faster than other solutions on the market as a big reason for their investment. Additionally, at part quantities entering the tens of thousands, HP’s machine is more cost effective too.
“We’ve been in the additive space since 1994 and have really touched most technologies over the years, we had a large SLS lab at one point, so we’re quite familiar with the technology and the successes it can bring,” Donovan told TCT. “Being able to have the whole process really engineered to a much higher level – there’s a lot of powder processing that you’re doing in the SLS process that just becomes quite an operation to handle. [HP] have put this entire lifecycle of processing baked into their [Multi Jet Fusion platform].
Forecast 3D/ YouTube
Forecast 3D HP MJF printer
One of the first HP Multi Jet Fusion platforms installed at Forecast 3D.
“Secondly, cost. These guys are really allowing us to compete on the cost platform. Thirdly, the development of materials. Sure, they came out with a known quantity in the Nylon 12, but to hear what they are cooking up [in the Open Materials Lab] and the partners they’re tied in with is really exciting.”
His brother Corey, commenting via a company press release, continues: “We’ve been among the most ardent supporters of Multi Jet Fusion since it launched, and the positive feedback from clients has been overwhelming. That’s why we’re so excited that our new 3D Manufacturing Center makes us the first company to offer clients a complete, one-stop HP 3D printing solution, allowing us to meet the growing demand for Multi Jet Fusion production and make 3D printing available to an even broader spectrum of companies.”
In order to make the concept of the first ‘one-stop HP 3D printing solution’ a reality, Forecast 3D has looked to hire additional man power. In total, four technical staff have been brought in, one of which is an aerospace engineer who will focus on specific product management for parts in this sector on the Multi Jet Fusion. Another of the appointments saw Forecast 3D strike lucky.
Forecast 3D/ YouTube
Forecast 3D HP MJF
Donovan Weber with a 3D printed part produced with a HP Multi Jet Fusion machine.
“Well we’re quite lucky in that a lot of the development of [the HP] equipment was done here in San Diego, in the Rancho Bernardo facility,” Donovan tells. “So one of the technicians who was a part of the R&D of the [Multi Jet Fusion] program. As they wrapped up and went into production, he popped up in the job market, so we were able to pick up a guy who was a part of the team. That worked out for us.”
The four additions have already proved their worth. Donovan says the parts Forecast 3D has printed beat the HP-published tolerances, ‘coming out isotropic, fully X, Y, and Z [axes].’ The early signs point towards a successful manufacturing hub, equipped to cater for the customers’ needs, whatever their application, whatever industry they operate.
“Multi Jet Fusion gives us the capability to print an incredible amount of high-quality, engineering-grade parts in a very short period of time, which has transformed the way we think about manufacturing,” Corey finishes. “These 12 HP 3D printing units now allow us to handle all kinds of full-production schedules for any type of vertical, and do it with speed, cost-efficiency, and quality that’s just not possible anywhere else. Multi Jet Fusion is shaping the future of manufacturing, and we’re very proud to be a part of it.”
