PA12
Versatile, strong and flexible thermoplastic. Ideal for functional prototypes and low-volume production.
MJF 3D Printing service
- PA12, PA12 W, PA12 GB, PA11, TPU 88A, PP
- ISO 9001:2015
Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is an advanced Additive Manufacturing technology
Developed by HP, it utilises a fine powder material and a fusing agent to build parts layer by layer. The process involves depositing a thin layer of powder on the build platform, where printheads apply fusing and detailing agents selectively. Heat is then applied to solidify the material and create precise, functional components. MJF is known for producing strong, isotropic, and high-detail parts with excellent mechanical properties, making it ideal for functional prototypes, end-use parts, and batch production.
Esempi di utilizzo di stampa 3D MJF
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Functional components and end-use parts
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Housings and technical enclosures
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Jigs and production tooling
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Components for robotics and EOAT
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Ducts and fluid systems
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Components with interlocking and snap-fit features
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Spare parts and customised components
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Small production runs of industrial components
Materials for MJF 3D printing
Polymers
PA12 W
White PA12 grade, suitable for aesthetic applications and colour finishing.
PA12 GB
PA12 filled with glass beads, offering increased rigidity and dimensional stability.
PA11
A more ductile alternative to PA12, with high impact resistance.
TPU 88A
Flexible thermoplastic polyurethane, ideal for gaskets, seals and flexible hinges.
PP
Lightweight polypropylene with good chemical resistance, suitable for industrial and medical applications.
Our team of experts is at your disposal
Our engineers support you in material selection, optimising the part for metal 3D printing, and defining the required post-processes and inspections.
Finishing options for MJF
Painting
Aesthetic finish and part protection with custom painting on request.
Final result:
- Uniform aesthetic finish
- Customisable colour
- Greater surface protection
Comparison with other technologies
| Technology | Max. size | Min. detail size | Min. wall thickness | Tolerance | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMLS | 500×280×340 mm | 0.6-0.8 mm | 0.22 mm | ±0.25 (≤15mm); ±0.5 (>15mm) | Similar to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), but uses metal powders to produce high-strength, intricate metal parts, suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components in aerospace, medical and automotive. |
| SLS Plastic | 680×380×540 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.7-1.3 mm | ±0.3% (±0.3mm) | Uses a laser to fuse powdered materials layer by layer, ideal for durable, complex parts without support structures. Widely used in aerospace, automotive and medical. |
| SLA Plastic | 1350×750×500 mm | 0.2-0.5 mm | 1-3 mm | ±0.2% (min. 0.2 mm) | Uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, ideal for highly detailed, smooth, intricate parts. Widely used for detailed prototypes and complex designs in jewellery and dentistry. |
| MJF Plastic | 380×284×380 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.3-0.5 mm | ±0.3% (±0.2 mm) | Uses multiple jets to apply fusing agents onto powder, which is then fused by heating elements. Delivers high-resolution functional parts with short lead times, often used in aerospace, automotive and consumer goods. |
| Polyjet Plastic | 490×380×200 mm | 1.2-2 mm | 1 mm | ±0.1% | Jets liquid photopolymer resin and cures it layer by layer with UV light, enabling highly detailed, multi-material parts with different properties. Popular for prototyping and colour-rich complex models in medical modelling, consumer goods and electronics. |
| FDM Plastic | 914×690×914 mm | 1.2-1.5 mm | 1.5 mm | ±0.5% (±0.5 mm) | Uses a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filament layer by layer, ideal for durable functional prototypes. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive and consumer products. |
| DLP Plastic | 510×280×350 mm | 0.5 mm | 1 mm | ±0.30 mm < 100mm; ±0.3% > 100 mm | Uses a digital light projector to cure liquid resin layer by layer, providing fast, precise, high-resolution prints. Commonly used in dentistry, jewellery and high-definition prototypes. |
| Large Scale Plastic | 2500×2500×4000 mm | 3 mm | — | ±5 mm/m | Refers to 3D printing technologies designed to create large objects or structures, such as industrial machine parts or architectural models, with an emphasis on size and structural integrity. |
| DED | 1200×800×600 mm | — | — | — | Uses an energy beam to melt and deposit metal powders or wires, ideal for repairing or adding features to metal parts in aerospace and manufacturing. |
| Binder Jet | 430×310×150 mm | — | — | ±3% | Deposits a binding agent onto a powder bed to form parts, which are then sintered. Useful for producing complex, cost-effective parts, often used in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods and jewellery. |
Technology
DMLS
- Max. size
- 500×280×340 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.6-0.8 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.22 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.25 (≤15mm); ±0.5 (>15mm)
Description
Similar to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), but uses metal powders to produce high-strength, intricate metal parts, suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components in aerospace, medical and automotive.
Technology
SLS
Plastic- Max. size
- 680×380×540 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.8 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.7-1.3 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.3% (±0.3mm)
Description
Uses a laser to fuse powdered materials layer by layer, ideal for durable, complex parts without support structures. Widely used in aerospace, automotive and medical.
Technology
SLA
Plastic- Max. size
- 1350×750×500 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.2-0.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1-3 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.2% (min. 0.2 mm)
Description
Uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, ideal for highly detailed, smooth, intricate parts. Widely used for detailed prototypes and complex designs in jewellery and dentistry.
Technology
MJF
Plastic- Max. size
- 380×284×380 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.3-0.5 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.3% (±0.2 mm)
Description
Uses multiple jets to apply fusing agents onto powder, which is then fused by heating elements. Delivers high-resolution functional parts with short lead times, often used in aerospace, automotive and consumer goods.
Technology
Polyjet
Plastic- Max. size
- 490×380×200 mm
- Min. detail size
- 1.2-2 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.1%
Description
Jets liquid photopolymer resin and cures it layer by layer with UV light, enabling highly detailed, multi-material parts with different properties. Popular for prototyping and colour-rich complex models in medical modelling, consumer goods and electronics.
Technology
FDM
Plastic- Max. size
- 914×690×914 mm
- Min. detail size
- 1.2-1.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1.5 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.5% (±0.5 mm)
Description
Uses a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filament layer by layer, ideal for durable functional prototypes. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive and consumer products.
Technology
DLP
Plastic- Max. size
- 510×280×350 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.30 mm < 100mm; ±0.3% > 100 mm
Description
Uses a digital light projector to cure liquid resin layer by layer, providing fast, precise, high-resolution prints. Commonly used in dentistry, jewellery and high-definition prototypes.
Technology
Large Scale
Plastic- Max. size
- 2500×2500×4000 mm
- Min. detail size
- 3 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- —
- Tolerance
- ±5 mm/m
Description
Refers to 3D printing technologies designed to create large objects or structures, such as industrial machine parts or architectural models, with an emphasis on size and structural integrity.
Technology
DED
- Max. size
- 1200×800×600 mm
- Min. detail size
- —
- Min. wall thickness
- —
- Tolerance
- —
Description
Uses an energy beam to melt and deposit metal powders or wires, ideal for repairing or adding features to metal parts in aerospace and manufacturing.
Technology
Binder Jet
- Max. size
- 430×310×150 mm
- Min. detail size
- —
- Min. wall thickness
- —
- Tolerance
- ±3%
Description
Deposits a binding agent onto a powder bed to form parts, which are then sintered. Useful for producing complex, cost-effective parts, often used in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods and jewellery.
MJF technology pros and cons
Advantages
- High-quality parts with excellent mechanical properties.
- No support structures required.
- High-speed production, ideal for batch manufacturing.
- Isotropic mechanical properties.
- Good surface finish requiring less post-processing.
- Fine detail and high accuracy.
- Cost effective for mid volume production.
Points to consider
- Limited material options.
- Surface finish can be rougher without post-processing.
- Color limitations since standard colour is grey, but is possible to add dyeing process or painting.
- Large parts can be subjected to warping.
MJF 3D printing FAQ
What is the difference between MJF and SLS 3D printing?
MJF and SLS are both powder-bed 3D printing technologies for polymers, but they use different fusion processes. SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) uses a laser to consolidate the powder, while MJF (Multi Jet Fusion) deposits functional agents and uses thermal energy to complete the fusion process. MJF is particularly suitable when good repeatability, high productivity, and multiple components within the same build volume are required. The choice between MJF and SLS depends on material, geometry, quantity, finish, performance, and overall project cost. MadeInAdd selects the technology according to component requirements and the expected industrial outcome.
Is MJF suitable for small and medium production runs?
Yes. MJF 3D printing is suitable for both prototyping and the production of small and medium production runs of functional polymer components. The process makes efficient use of the build volume and allows multiple parts to be produced in the same build without dedicated support structures. This makes it suitable for production requiring repeatability, short lead times, and on-demand reordering. MadeInAdd can manage the process from initial validation through to production, including post-processing, finishing, and component quality requirements.
What accuracy and tolerances can be achieved with MJF 3D printing?
In MadeInAdd configurations, MJF 3D printing offers an indicative minimum feature size of around 0.5 mm and wall thicknesses of approximately 0.3–0.5 mm. The reference tolerance is ±0.3%, with an indicative minimum of ±0.2 mm, while the maximum build volume is 380 × 284 × 380 mm. Actual accuracy depends on the component’s dimensions, geometry, orientation, and mass distribution. For fits, functional surfaces, or critical dimensions, manufacturability and required tolerances should therefore be verified before production.
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