Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) Providers
Multi Jet Fusion jets fusing and detailing agents onto a powder bed, then fuses each layer with infrared energy. MJF produces isotropic nylon parts with excellent surface finish and mechanical properties at production speed. It is widely adopted for serial production of functional components in automotive, consumer goods, and industrial applications. Browse MJF providers verified for part consistency, colour options, and finishing quality.
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How Multi Jet Fusion works
MJF is HP's polymer powder bed process, introduced in 2016 and now one of the dominant production polymer AM technologies. Unlike SLS, which traces each part outline with a laser, MJF uses an inkjet-style print bar to deposit two agents — a fusing agent in areas that should solidify and a detailing agent on the perimeters to keep edges sharp. After the agents are jetted, an array of infrared lamps sweeps the entire layer, and the fusing-agent regions absorb energy and melt while the detailing-agent regions stay cool. The whole layer fuses in a single IR pass, regardless of part complexity or count.
This voxel-level chemistry is why MJF is fast: a fully nested 380 × 284 × 380 mm HP 5200 build can produce hundreds of parts in 12–14 hours of build plus cool-down. The same chemistry is also the reason MJF parts come out grey by default (the fusing agent is carbon-black-based) and why colour-MJF (Jet Fusion 580 / 380) is possible — additional coloured ink heads jet RGB pigments alongside the fusing agent. Parts emerge isotropic, with mechanical properties broadly comparable to SLS PA12 and density slightly higher (lower porosity, better watertightness).
Common MJF applications
End-use polymer parts at production volume
Automotive interior components, robotics housings, consumer-product enclosures, medical-device shells — typically 100 to 50,000 units per year, where injection-mould tooling can't justify the lead time or capital outlay.
Custom and patient-specific medical devices
Prosthetic sockets, orthotic insoles, surgical guides, and patient-specific instruments, manufactured under ISO 13485 with full chain of custody.
Tooling and manufacturing aids
Production-floor jigs, fixtures, end-of-arm tooling, and assembly aids — same use case as SLS but typically with better dimensional consistency batch-to-batch.
Watertight functional housings and ducts
MJF parts come out denser than SLS, so single-piece air ducts, fluid manifolds, and IP-rated enclosures often need less post-process sealing than SLS equivalents.
TPU flexible production parts
Footwear midsoles, gaskets, dampers, and grips in TPU 88A — including custom-fit insoles produced from foot scans.
Full-colour models and consumer goods (Jet Fusion 580)
Colour-accurate anatomical models, architectural prototypes, and personalised consumer products where appearance is functional, not just decorative.
Materials commonly processed by MJF
PA12 (HP 3D HR PA12)
The default MJF material. Mechanical properties broadly equivalent to SLS PA12, slightly higher density, characteristic grey colour from the fusing agent. Recyclable powder refresh ratio is 80% reused / 20% fresh — a major economic advantage over SLS.
PA11 (HP 3D HR PA11)
Bio-derived nylon with higher impact strength and elongation than PA12. Used for snap-fits, living hinges, and impact-loaded applications.
PA12 Glass-Filled (HP 3D HR PA12 GB)
PA12 with 40% glass beads for higher stiffness and dimensional stability — used for fixtures, brackets, and load-bearing housings.
TPU (HP 3D HR TPU 88A — BASF Ultrasint, Lubrizol Estane)
Thermoplastic polyurethane for flexible parts — gaskets, footwear, dampers, soft-touch grips, wearable device components.
PP (Polypropylene — BASF Ultrasint PP)
Chemical-resistant, weldable polymer for fluid-handling components, automotive under-bonnet parts, and applications where PA12 chemical resistance is insufficient.
PA12 Full-Colour (Jet Fusion 580 / 380)
White PA12 base with CMY pigment ink for colour-accurate parts. Used for anatomical models, marketing prototypes, architectural visualisation, and personalised consumer goods.
When to choose MJF over SLS, FDM, or injection moulding
MJF vs SLS: for PA12 / PA11 production at volume, MJF usually wins on per-part cost (faster build, higher powder reuse rate) and gives slightly better surface finish and dimensional consistency. SLS wins on material range — TPU 70A grades, PEEK, carbon-filled grades, glass-filled grades from multiple suppliers — and on global provider availability outside HP's partner network.
MJF vs FDM: MJF gives isotropic mechanical properties (no weak Z-axis), no support marks, much finer feature resolution, and far better economics at any volume above ~10 units. FDM only competes for very large parts that exceed MJF build envelopes, or when material types unique to FDM (PEEK, ULTEM, ESD-safe filaments) are required.
MJF vs injection moulding: MJF becomes economic against injection moulding up to ~5,000–10,000 units per year for typical part geometry. Above that, injection moulding wins on per-part cost — but the £10k–£100k+ tooling investment and 8–16 week tooling lead time are substantial. MJF is the standard "bridge production" route between prototype and tooled production.
Lead time and cost expectations for MJF
Standard PA12 MJF parts typically deliver in 3–7 working days from order — faster turnaround than SLS due to shorter cool-down cycles and the speed of the print itself. Add 2–4 days for vapour smoothing, dyeing, or finish-machining of mating surfaces. Most major MJF bureaux offer 3-day and 24-hour rush options at a 30–60% premium.
Indicative pricing for a 50 cm³ PA12 part (single, media-blasted): £20–£40 / €24–€48 at 1 unit, dropping to £6–£12 / €7–€14 at 100 units. Per-part economics typically beat SLS by 10–25% on PA12 production at volume, driven by faster builds and higher powder reuse. TPU runs roughly 1.5–1.8× standard PA12 pricing; full-colour PA12 runs ~2× standard pricing.
Related processes & materials
Frequently asked questions
How is MJF different from SLS?
Both are nylon powder bed fusion processes. SLS uses a CO₂ laser to trace each part's outline and infill, layer by layer; MJF uses an inkjet-style print bar to deposit fusing and detailing agents across the layer, then fuses the entire layer in a single infrared pass. MJF is faster per build, produces denser parts (better watertightness), and has slightly better dimensional consistency. SLS has a wider material range and a much broader global provider network.
What machines do MJF providers run?
HP Jet Fusion systems exclusively — MJF is HP-proprietary technology. The 5200 series (5200, 5210, 5210 Pro) is the production workhorse with a 380 × 284 × 380 mm build envelope. The 4200 is the previous-generation 380 × 284 × 380 mm system still in wide use. The 580 / 380 systems add full-colour capability with smaller build envelopes. The newer 5400 / 5600 series targets industrial-scale production.
Why are MJF parts grey?
The fusing agent is carbon-black based — it absorbs IR energy efficiently to melt the powder. The carbon stays in the part, giving the characteristic dark grey colour. Parts can be dyed black, painted any colour, or specified on the Jet Fusion 580 / 380 platform for true full-colour PA12 (which uses a different white-base chemistry).
Are MJF parts watertight?
MJF parts are denser than SLS as-built — typically >99% dense — and are watertight at low pressures (sink-and-soak, splash, IPx4-class enclosures). For pressure-rated applications, parts can be vapour smoothed (which seals the surface) or epoxy-impregnated. For genuinely high-pressure work, injection-moulded or machined parts remain the standard.
How accurate are MJF parts?
Typical MJF dimensional tolerance is ±0.3 mm or ±0.2% of the dimension, whichever is greater — slightly tighter than SLS. Critical dimensions can be CNC-finished after print. Repeatability batch-to-batch is generally better than ±0.2 mm for well-controlled providers, with HP's closed-loop powder management contributing to consistency.
Can MJF parts be used in medical devices?
Yes — HP 3D HR PA12 is biocompatible to ISO 10993-1 (cytotoxicity, irritation, sensitisation) and is widely used for prosthetic sockets, orthotics, surgical guides, and patient-specific instruments. For implantable applications or skin-contact periods over 30 days, additional biocompatibility testing is usually required. Look for MJF providers operating under ISO 13485 with documented chain of custody.