A Brisbane-based company has become the first Australian customer to purchase HP’s Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing solution.

As ChannelLife reports, iOrthotics has bought HP’s Jet Fusion 3D 4200 printing solution “in an effort to become one of the first orthotics manufacturers in the world to have completely transitioned from polypropylene milling to 3D additive manufacturing.”

According to HP, its printing solution “will provide Orthotics with a faster, more sustainable method of producing custom-made orthotic devices that are considerably stronger.”

Dean Hartley, iOrthotics founding director and general manager says, “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.

“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% stronger than those produced using traditional polypropylene milling.”

3D printing offers the OEM “a monumental degree of opportunity for their partner community”, with HP revealing that “it has an ambition to disrupt the $12 trillion global manufacturing industry, with an aim to make 3D printing part of […] the fourth industrial revolution”.

HP also stated that it is working closely with its partner to “accelerate end-to-end digital reinvention of the manufacturing industry” and transform each step of the value chain.

Rob Mesaros, HP South Pacific Managing Director, says the world is going through a major economic and industrial transformation that impacts everything.

“All industries will go through change in the fourth industrial revolution, but perhaps none as much as the manufacturing sector,” he says.

“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.”

At the Canalys Channels Forum held in Perth, HP’s APJ President, Richard Bailey, “emphasised the importance of 3D printing for their channel partners.”

“Imagine if 3D printing becomes mainstream for manufacturing. It would foster a world in which goods no longer only move by air, sea, rail and road, they move as a digital file,” he said.

That would be an enormous opportunity for everyone in (the channel community).”

He has also said, “We do have one example in the region where a standard printer reseller saw an opportunity and actually set themselves up as a bureau to do 3D printing for others as a service, that’s one way that partners could start to explore (3D printing),” he said.

“While it would not be true to say that the majority of partners are thinking about being a reseller of 3D printers, as they start to be more engaged in the digital transformation journey of their customers in all of its forms, it realistically may happen.”