NanoParticle Jetting (NPJ)
What is NanoParticle Jetting?
NanoParticle Jetting is a proprietary inkjet-based additive manufacturing solution developed by XJet. Initially developed for metal, XJet first unveiled NPJ at the RAPID Show in Orlando, Florida in May 2016; and later showcased its ceramic capabilities at formnext in November of the same year. By allowing the printing of two materials simultaneously, NPJ — whether in metal or ceramics — offers certain advantages over other technologies; including high-resolution accuracy and design freedom thanks to the easily soluble support material. Specifically, ceramic NPJ opens up new markets such as dental and medical, as well as other specific industrial applications. Unlike SLA and DLP technologies, NPJ doesn’t require a vat of powder or resin; instead, two sealed cartridges — one for the build material and one for the support material — are loaded into the machine by hand.
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Does not include the debinding stage
How does NanoParticle Jetting work?
NanoParticle Jetting produces parts by jetting thousands of droplets of ceramic nanoparticles from inkjet nozzles in ultra-thin layers. These nanoparticles vary in size and shapes and are randomly distributed on the build platform to allow natural packing and high density. Simultaneously, a soluble support material is deposited in the same fashion, which is later easily removed. Both the build material and the support material are suspended in a liquid which, with the extremely high temperatures in the build chamber (300ºC), evaporates; leaving behind the mechanically optimised part. Finally, the green part is sintered and to leave behind the final ceramic part.
Available NPJ 3D printers:
XJet recently launched it’s Carmel line of AM systems — with the Carmel 1400 and Carmel 700. Both systems allow manufacturers to produce parts in ceramic or metal with the same ease and versatility as traditional inkjet printing. They have effective building volumes of 500 x 280 x 200 mm and500 x 140 x 200 mm respectively.
| Model | Carmel 1400 |
| Manufacturer | XJet |
| Price (approx.) | $750,000 |
| Technology | NanoParticle Jetting |
| Materials | Ceramics, Metals |
| Effective Build Volume | 500 x 280 x 200 mm |
| Layer Thickness | 10 μm |
You can find more information and the specifications for the machine here or below:
Further reading on XJet and NPJ:
• XJet Choose Youngstown Business Incubator for First USA Customer of Carmel 1400
• Oerlikon Installs First Commercial Carmel 1400 Ceramic Inkjet System from XJet
• XJet to Launch Breakthrough XJet Carmel AM System Product Line at formnext
