The new HP 3D printer likely puts an end to rumors about exiting the AM market
The Atomic Layers: 00316
Atomic Layer of the Week:
The RAPID+TCT 2026 trade show in Boston brought one of the more interesting hardware launches of the year - HP unveiled the new Multi Jet Fusion 1200 printer. At the same time, the company also celebrated ten years of presence in the additive manufacturing market.
The MJF 1200 is the first compact printer in the Multi Jet Fusion family in years and represents a fairly clear shift in strategy.
Instead of targeting only large manufacturing facilities with dedicated AM production floors, HP has decided to move down in both price and size.
The new machine is priced below $60,000, whereas previous MJF systems started at around $100,000 and above. The build volume is 12 liters, print time is under 12 hours, and the entire workflow - from build preparation to part unpacking - has been largely automated.
Each unit comes bundled with Magics Print for HP software, developed by Materialise. Commercial availability is planned for early 2027.
From a technical standpoint, the key argument HP consistently emphasizes is that the MJF 1200 uses exactly the same technology as the flagship systems in the 4200 and 5600 series.
So this is not a stripped-down version but - at least according to the manufacturer - a fully capable production tool in a smaller footprint.
This distinction is important, as the compact polymer printer market is already heavily occupied by SLS solutions from Formlabs, and HP will need to genuinely deliver on quality to justify entering this segment.
In addition to the MJF 1200, the company also announced a range of updates to its existing portfolio.
The Jet Fusion 5600 series received a new High Productivity mode, increasing throughput by 20%, as well as support for PA12 Glass Beads material. Another addition is Dual Tone technology - the ability to print in two shades, white and gray - allowing QR codes, markings, and textures to be directly integrated into the surface of parts.
On the Metal Jet platform, new materials are being introduced: copper for electrification applications, tungsten carbide with cobalt for tooling, and nickel-based superalloys for aerospace. HP has also entered into a partnership with Volkmann GmbH for metal powder handling.
The impact of these announcements on the AM market will depend primarily on whether HP can effectively reach small and medium-sized companies, as well as R&D departments within larger corporations - this is precisely where the MJF 1200 makes the most sense.
If part quality truly matches that of higher-end machines and the workflow proves to be as simple as promised, this could become a compelling argument for companies that have so far relied on outsourcing MJF production.
As a side note, it is worth mentioning that all these launches quietly put an end to rumors that have been circulating in the industry for several years.
There has long been talk that HP has been looking for a buyer for its AM division - either unable to find one or facing expectations that are too high.
Meanwhile, the current reality looks quite different: in the fall at Formnext 2025, HP presented the HP IF 600HT FFF printer for high-temperature materials (developed by 3DGence), and now in Boston it is showcasing a new generation of MJF systems.
This is difficult to interpret as the strategy of a company preparing to exit. It looks much more like HP intends to stay.
Atomic Layer from the Past:
2 years ago, Formlabs introduced its next-generation Form 4 and Form 4B 3D printers. This marked the company’s first major launch in several years, shifting away from traditional laser technology to a masked SLA system.
The new Low Force Display (LFD) engine, featuring 60 high-power LEDs and a custom LCD screen, enabled print speeds two to five times faster than previous generations. A flexible resin tank with Release Texture reduced peel forces, improving reliability.
Compatible with over 23 resins, the Form 4 series targeted rapid prototyping and dental production, offering 50-micron resolution and up to 40% lower cost per print.
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News & Gossip:
#1
The new HP printer was a significant event, but mainly within the industrial AM sector. In the broader 3D printing space (of all kinds), the real highlight was the new 3D printer from Bambu Lab - the X2D.
The new generation of the X series features two print heads and a very unusual extruder configuration - a primary direct-drive extruder on the toolhead and an auxiliary Bowden extruder mounted at the back of the enclosure. While it allows for printing with two equivalent materials or colors, the setup is primarily designed for combining model materials (direct) with support materials (Bowden), which can be standard PLA or PETG (depending on the model material).
However, it’s not the dual-head system that caused such a stir in the industry - it’s once again the best-in-class price-to-performance ratio. The X2D incorporates a wide range of solutions from the H series, while being priced at the level of the older X1 Carbon (or only slightly above the P2S).
I’ve written three articles on the topic:
Two extruders, one purpose: what is X2D Direct Drive Extrusion and Auxiliary Extrusion?
The Bambu Experience - an ecosystem that redefines 3D printing
#2
Elegoo decided to come back to its roots and has announced the massive Jupiter 2 resin 3D printer, featuring a 302 x 162 x 300 mm build volume and a 14” 16K LCD panel. It uses a COB light source with Fresnel collimating lenses for uniform exposure. Layer thickness can be as low as 0.01mm, with XY pixels at 0.020 x 0.026 mm.
Key innovations include multi-point automated leveling, a heated tank (up to 30°C), onboard webcam for monitoring, and modular design for fast LCD replacement. The smart resin management system automatically refills or recycles resin. Printing speed reaches 70mm/hour.
#3
On the other hand, Raise3D debuted the B520, an industrial automated blasting system for SLS post-processing. Priced at $9,999, it automates depowdering with a sealed chamber and programmable parameters, requiring under five minutes of manual handling per cycle.
Raise3D also launched two new powders: PA Next (high toughness) and PA Next GB (glass-bead reinforced for stiffness). Priced at $650 per 10 kg, they expand the SLS portfolio to seven grades, completing a full workflow from material to post-processing.
#4
Authentise has introduced Whispers, an AI platform that captures engineering intent across the idea-to-part lifecycle. Described as an “agentic backbone,” it connects fragmented knowledge from emails, meetings, and chats into existing systems, enabling real-time action.
Whispers automates compliance monitoring, project health alerts, technical documentation, and IP leakage detection. It integrates with ERP, PLM, and QMS systems.
#5
Stratasys unveiled new software, materials, and platform enhancements. The J850 Core printer offers lower-cost PolyJet performance for functional prototyping. P3 MED Silicone 25A, a biocompatible material for medical devices, is available exclusively on Origin printers. The GrabCAD Additive App Suite, developed with trinckle, launches with 10 apps for automated tooling design. SAF PA12, powered by Evonik, delivers 14% lower total cost of ownership.
The J850 Core is available from late April, while the App Suite arrives this summer.
#6
And finally, EOS has acquired 100% of Metalpine GmbH, a Austrian specialist in metal powders for additive manufacturing, transitioning from minority shareholder to full owner. The deal gives EOS direct control over a titanium powder supply chain built around Metalpine’s patented atomization process, ensuring consistency for serial production.
Metalpine will continue selling powders to the broader market under its own brand.