HP wins first Australian 3D print customer, Evok3d takes HP Jet Fusion 4200 to iOrthotics

3D printing specialist Evok3d has delivered HP’s Jet Fusion 3D 4200 printing solution to the vendor’s first commercial 3D print customer in Australia.

Through the implementation, Brisbane-based iOrthotics, which develops custom orthotic soles for podiatrists, will transition their orthotics manufacturing from traditional polypropylene milling to 3D printing.

“Patients depend upon their orthotics for comfort and wellbeing so it is only natural that they expect these devices to be strong, sturdy and dependable,” iOrthotics general manager Dean Hartley said.

“The extensive research and testing we conducted with the University of Queensland provided the empirical evidence that devices manufactured by HP’s Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology are 40-60 percent stronger than those produced using traditional polypropylene milling.”

“With the ability to extend our capabilities, we are now undertaking orthotic and prosthetic fabrication and offering a 3D bureau printing service for engineering and industrial clients. It has been a quantum leap in technology and our final investment decision has been validated.

Evok3D managing director Joe Carmody told CRN: “We’ve been a specialist 3D print solutions company for about five years, and this is the first time that we’ve seen a major step forward in terms of the technology, the effort, speed, reliability of the part and the support supplied by the manufacturer, and we’re very pleased to be leading the way for HP in Australia.

“We’ve worked with clients in business cases for this type of production that previously didn’t stack up, now we’re seeing the HP Multi Jet Fusion is viable as a production method.”

Through its fledgling 3D printing business, HP has ambitions to disrupt the US$12 trillion global manufacturing market, and hopes to push 3D printing’s typical application of prototyping into developing fledged manufacturing components.

HP South Pacific managing director Rob Mesaros said: “All industries will go through change in the fourth industrial revolution, but perhaps none as dramatically as the manufacturing sector. Australian manufacturers like iOrthotics are truly leading the way, transforming their business and positioning themselves for growth by taking full advantage of this technological shift.

Article origin: CRN