HP Multi Jet Fusion at Indus3D — two industrial systems, HP Jet Fusion 5600 and 4200, under one roof in Israel.
MJF is the technology that moves 3D printing from prototyping into real production. Instead of printing one part at a time, the build chamber is packed with tens or hundreds of parts and all of them are printed together — which is what brings the cost per part down to where it competes with conventional manufacturing on small and medium series.
Because the part is supported by the surrounding powder, MJF needs no support structures. That makes geometries possible that cannot be machined or moulded: internal channels, hollow sections, weight-saving lattices, and single parts that replace a multi-component assembly.
How MJF actually works
The printer spreads a thin layer of nylon powder across the build platform. A print head passes over it and jets two liquids: a fusing agent where material should solidify, and a detailing agent at the edges to sharpen boundaries and stop bleed. An infrared lamp immediately sweeps the whole layer — the areas carrying fusing agent absorb more energy and melt, the rest stays loose powder.
This repeats layer by layer until the chamber is full. The build then goes through controlled cooling, powder extraction, bead blasting and preparation for finishing. Powder that never fused is reclaimed into the next build.
Why that matters in engineering terms
MJF fuses a whole layer at a time rather than tracing point by point with a laser. That gives two advantages: much higher throughput when the chamber is full, and more uniform mechanical properties through the part. The trade-off is slower cooling, so shrinkage has to be accounted for at the design stage.
The systems we run
| System | Role |
|---|---|
| HP Jet Fusion 5600 | Primary production system. Full build volume, consistent quality, widest material range. |
| HP Jet Fusion 4200 | Second system for parallel work — shortens lead times and provides redundancy. |
Both machines sit in the same facility, so a large project can run across the two in parallel.
MJF materials
| Material | Character | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| PA12 | Standard nylon — rigid, dimensionally stable | The default for most functional parts: housings, clips, fixtures |
| PA11 | More ductile, better impact resistance | Parts that must absorb a knock or flex — living hinges, snap fits |
| PA12 GB | Glass-bead filled nylon | High stiffness and dimensional stability — large parts that must not warp |
| TPU | Flexible elastomer | Seals, dampers, soft grips |
| PP | Chemical resistance, low density | Chemical handling, lightweight parts |
Choosing the material is usually half the decision. Full technical data for every material we stock, including manufacturer datasheets, is on our MJF materials pages.
When MJF is the right choice
- Series of tens to thousands of units — where MJF beats other printing processes and, at these volumes, sometimes beats moulding too
- Functional end-use parts — not a display model, a component that goes into the product
- Geometry conventional manufacturing cannot produce — internal channels, lattices, enclosed cavities
- Part consolidation — replacing a five-piece assembly with one printed part
- Spare parts no longer in production
And when something else is better
- Exact or specified colour — MJF prints in a grey/black tone. For accurate colour, PolyJet is the right process.
- High temperature resistance or aerospace certification — ULTEM on FDM is the direction.
- Parts larger than the build chamber — these need a large-format approach.
Accuracy, finish and what to expect
Layer thickness in MJF is 80 microns and the surface comes out with an even matte texture — generally more pleasant to the touch than FDM and without pronounced layer lines.
The tolerances we work to on MJF:
| Axis | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| X / Y | ±0.3% (minimum ±0.3 mm) |
| Z | ±0.5% (minimum ±0.5 mm) |
Achievable accuracy also depends on part size, geometry and position in the build chamber, so we confirm tolerances against your drawing before printing rather than promising a blanket figure. Our full published figures are in our terms.
Where a specific feature needs a tighter tolerance than the process gives, the normal solution is to print with excess stock and machine that feature on a CNC. We do this routinely.
Finishing options
- Black dyeing — the most common finish, giving an even, professional appearance
- Polishing and smoothing to improve surface texture
- Oven painting or coating
- Heat-set metal inserts for parts that are assembled and disassembled repeatedly
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MJF and SLS?
Both are powder processes without supports, and the parts are similar in character. The main difference is the heat source: SLS traces and melts point by point with a laser, while MJF heats an entire layer at once with an infrared lamp. In practice MJF is faster with a full chamber and gives good consistency, while SLS offers a wider material range, including flame-retardant grades. We run both and choose by requirement.
Is an MJF part strong enough for real use?
Yes. PA12 in MJF is a genuine engineering material, and parts are used as end-use components in the defence, medical and aerospace industries. Strength is close to isotropic — similar in all directions — unlike FDM, where the bond between layers is the weak point.
How many units make MJF worthwhile?
There is no magic number, because it depends on part size and how many fit in the chamber. A small part can pay off from tens of units; a large one from just a few. The right approach is to send the file and get pricing against your quantity.
What colour do the parts come out?
Natural grey from the machine. They are usually dyed black in a dip process that gives an even appearance. Other colours are possible as a separate finishing step — but if colour is critical and must be exact, PolyJet is the better fit.
How long does it take?
The print itself usually runs from several hours to a full day, followed by cooling and cleaning. Actual lead time depends on current load and the finishing required.
Where is your MJF production in Israel?
Production runs at our factory at 3 Nahal Havushit St, Northern Industrial Area, Kiryat Shmona, Israel. Our main office is at 1 Ha-Tamar St, Moshav Petahia (not Petah Tikva). We are open Sunday to Thursday, 08:00 to 18:00.
Are you certified for aerospace and defence work?
Yes. Indus3D is certified to AS9100D (aerospace, space and defence) and ISO 9001 (quality management), and is an approved supplier to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, with supplier numbers at leading defence companies. Current certificates are sent on request.
What is your relationship with HP?
Indus3D is an authorized supplier for Stratasys and HP, and our team holds the “Certified for HP Jet Fusion 3D printers” certification. Our MJF powders come from HP and from material makers such as Evonik, Arkema, Forward AM and Lubrizol.
Can you take an MJF part from a prototype to full production?
Yes. We work from a single prototype up to series of thousands of units. Across all our technologies we produce more than 500,000 parts a year, for more than 300 customers a year.
Can MJF parts be machined, dyed or smoothed after printing?
Yes. CNC machining is done in-house, for features that need a tighter tolerance than printing gives. Finishing options include dyeing (DyeMansion) in RAL or Pantone colours, vapour smoothing (AMT PostPro), metal coatings and assembly. More on our post-processing page.
I do not have a CAD file. Can you still print the part in MJF?
Yes. We do 3D scanning in-house, as well as product design and modelling, so an existing part or a sketch can become a printable file. Start without a file.
Have a file? We will tell you whether MJF is the right choice
Send a STEP or STL and we will come back with a recommendation on technology, material and price for the quantity you need — including if the answer is that another process suits you better.
Upload your file for an MJF quote · No file yet? We can design or scan it
Indus3D is an additive manufacturing bureau in Israel, an approved supplier to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, AS9100D and ISO 9001 certified. We run a range of printing technologies under one roof — including two HP Multi Jet Fusion systems — and support projects from file to finished part.