Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing can build quality nylon parts suitable for rapid prototyping and production.

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Multi Jet Fusion is an industrial 3D printing process that produces functional nylon prototypes and end-use production parts in as fast as 1 day. Final parts exhibit quality surface finishes, fine feature resolution, and ‬more consistent mechanical properties when compared to processes like selective laser sintering.

Common applications for Multi Jet Fusion are:

parts requiring consistent isotropic mechanical properties
functional prototypes and end-use parts
complex and organic geometries with fine features

Multi Jet Fusion Design Guidelines & Capabilities

Sizes & Tolerances
Materials
Surface Finishes

Maximum Part Size

	Normal Resolution
Normal Resolution	284mm x 380mm x 380mm*
Layer Thickness	80 Microns
Minimum Feature Size	0.5mm
Tolerances	For well-designed parts, tolerances of ±0.25mm (Ultrasint™ TPU-01: ±0.30mm) plus ±0.002mm/mm can typically be achieved. Note that tolerances may change depending on part geometry.

*Suggested maximum dimensions: 200mm x 200mm x 200mm (higher dimensions may increase warping and dimensional inaccuracy risk)

PA 12 Smooth Light Grey
PA12 Vapour Smooth Black
PA 12-Glass Beads Smooth Grey
PA 11 Smooth Grey
PA 11 Vapour Smooth Black
Ultrasint™ TPU-01 - 88A Pure Grey
Ultrasint™ TPU-01 - 88A Vapour Smooth Black

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Standard	Parts are blasted to remove all powder and for a consistent overall texture and uniform grey colour. Depending on the blasting process used, parts can stay pure (a bit rougher) or become smooth. Untreated material is certified according to following standards: UL 94 (Standard for Safety of Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts Devices and Appliances testing) and UL 746A (Standard for Polymeric Materials to measure Short Term Property Evaluations)
Custom	Available Secondary options: Taps and Inserts Assembly (bonding, screwing etc.)
Vapour Smoothing	Parts are treated through an automated, high-quality, post-processing technique, which leaves them with great aesthetics and sealed surfaces that are water and air tight, and easy to clean. For proper smoothing, a minimum wall thickness of 1.5 mm is required. Learn More
Production Dye Black	The dye possesses several certifications (Biocompatibility, both Cytotoxity and Skin irritation, Colour Fastness, Scratch Resistance and Light & Heat Resistance) and is therefore a great choice, particularly for high requirements end-use parts. Currently available for PA12 Smooth White, PA12 Smooth Light Grey and PA11 Smooth Grey (MJF).“

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Sizes & Tolerances

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Materials

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Surface Finishes

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MJF Material Options

PA 12 Smooth Light Grey

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PA 12 Smooth Light Grey is a high tensile strength nylon. Final parts are dyed black, and they exhibit quality surface finishes and slightly more isotropic mechanical properties when compared to SLS. When more detail is required, PA 12 can achieve smaller minimum feature resolution 0.5mm as compared to SLS materials 0.75mm PA 12 Smooth Light Grey is the best material option for designs that incorporate living hinges.

Primary Benefits

Near isotropic mechanical properties
Economical material choice

Datasheet

PA 12 Vapour Smooth Black

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PA12 Vapour Smooth Black is a high tensile strength nylon suitable for prototypes and end-use production parts.
Final parts exhibit quality surface finishes, fine feature resolution, and more consistent mechanical properties when compared to processes like selective laser sintering. Vapour Smoothing makes the outer surface
smooth and of uniform black / anthracite colour.

Primary Benefits

Near isotropic mechanical properties
Water- and airproof without further treatment

Datasheet

PA 12 Glass Beads Smooth Grey

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PA12-Glass Beads Smooth Grey is a 40% glass bead polyamide with excellent stiffness and dimensional stability. The material possesses higher thermal resistance than unfilled polyamides and exhibits excellent long-term wear resistance. Due to the glass additive, it has decreased impact and tensile strengths compared to other nylons.

Primary Benefits

Stiffness and dimensional stability
Long-term wear resistance
High-temperature resistance

Datasheet

PA 11 Smooth Grey

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PA 11 Smooth Grey provides excellent ductility and temperature resistance without sacrificing tensile strength. It offers one of the highest elongation break thresholds in the nylon family.

Primary Benefits

Isotropic Mechanical Properties
Enhanced Elongation at Break
Water and airtight without any further treatment

Datasheet

PA 11 Vapour Smooth Black

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PA 11 Vapour Smooth Black provides excellent ductility and temperature resistance without sacrificing tensile strength. It offers one of the highest elongation break thresholds in the nylon family.

Primary Benefits

Isotropic Mechanical Properties
Enhanced Elongation at Break
Water and airtight without any further treatment

Datasheet

UltrasintTM TPU-01 - 88A Pure Grey

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Primary Benefits

Flexibility
Tear and Abrasion Resistance
High Durability

Datasheet

UltrasintTM TPU-01 - 88A Vapour Smooth Black

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This thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) combines rubber-like elasticity and elongation with good abrasion and impact resistance. Ideal for automotive components due to its high chemical resistance to oil and grease. Also possessing high UV resistance. Showing high accuracy and detail resolution, supporting optimisation of lattice structure designs and shows high accuracy and detail resolution. It can be leveraged to produce both prototypes and functional parts and is characterised by an excellent and smooth surface quality.

Primary Benefits

Flexibility
Tear and Abrasion Resistance
High Durability

Datasheet

Compare MJF Material Properties

Metric

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Material	Colour	Tensile Strength	Tensile Modulus	Elongation
PA 12 Smooth	Grey	49 MPa ± 4 MPa	1900 MPa ± 200 MPa	12% ± 4%
PA 12 Vapour Smooth	Black	47 MPa ± 4 MPa	1600 MPa ± 200 MPa	16% ± 4%
PA 12-Glass Beads Smooth	Grey	30 MPa ± 5 MPa	2500 MPa ± 400 MPa	10 ± 5%
PA 11 Smooth	Grey	52 MPa	1800 MPa	35%
PA 11 Vapour Smooth	Black	52 MPa ± 4 MPa	1800 MPa ± 200 MPa	50 ± 10%
UltrasintTM TPU01 - 88A Pure	Grey	9MPa ± 2MPa	75 MPa	>220%
UltrasintTM TPU01 - 88A Vapour Smooth	Black	9 MPa ± 2 MPa	75 MPa	>220%

These figures are approximate and dependent on a number of factors, including but not limited to, machine and process parameters. The information provided is therefore not binding and not deemed to be certified. When performance is critical, also consider independent lab testing of additive materials or final parts.

3D Printing Surface Finish Guide

Our 3D Printing surface finish guide provides you with a quick overview of our finishing options and what you can expect when your 3D-printed parts arrive.

3DP Surface Finish Guide

About Multi Jet Fusion

What is Multi Jet Fusion?
Why Choose Multi Jet Fusion for your 3D Printing Project?
How does Multi Jet Fusion Work?
Benefits of Multi Jet Fusion
Multi Jet Fusion Design Considerations

Multi Jet Fusion design guidelines will help you understand capabilities and limitations.

MJF offers engineering grade materials with great overall properties. Additionally, MJF offers enhanced surface finish, finer features, more consistent mechanical properties, and faster build times. We also offer a number of secondary services such as painting, post machining and measurement and inspection, to further enhance the finish of your 3D-printed project design.

Multi Jet Fusion material data sheets can be found in our Material Comparison Guide

The components of a Multi Jet Fusion 3D printer include: nylon layer (1), powder bed (2), material recoating unit (3), print carriage (4), inkjet array (5), fusing and detailing agents (6), thermal energy (7), part (8).

Multi Jet Fusion uses an inkjet array to selectively apply fusing and detailing agents across a bed of nylon powder, which are then fused by heating elements into a solid layer. After each layer, powder is distributed on top of the bed and the process repeats until the part is complete.

When the build finishes, the entire powder bed with the encapsulated parts is moved to a processing station where a majority of the loose powder is removed by an integrated vacuum. Parts are then bead blasted to remove any of the remaining residual powder before ultimately reaching the finishing department where they are dyed black to improve cosmetic appearance.

Fine minimum feature size
Accelerated build time
More consistent isotropic mechanical properties in the Z build direction when compart to other additive processes
Improved surface roughness

Thin-walled or large, flat surfaces should be reinforced with ribs or gussets, and holes surrounded with raised bosses wherever possible.
Raised text and cosmetic part features smaller than 0.5mm might not survive secondary post-processing. Check the design for manufacturability analysis that accompanies your part quote for details.
Wall thicknesses from 2.5 - 4.0 mm are ideal.
If your geometry has a thick area (> 4 mm), as a rule, hollowing out the part to a wall thickness of 2 to 4 mm will be required, to avoid sink marks or even a machine crash. Protolabs will modify the CAD file. Un-sintered powder will remain within the hollowed-out part and cannot be removed.
MJF does a great job with assemblies, living hinges, snap fits, and pin hinges.
As with any 3D printing process, MJF produces some stair-stepping on oblique angles. Cosmetic surfaces should be clearly identified on the part drawing or digitally in the product manufacturing information (PMI), so Protolabs can attempt to orient the parts in the build chamber accordingly.
PA 12 Smooth Light Grey is water and airproof without further treatment. It also has near isotropic mechanical properties.
PA 11 Available as Smooth Grey and Vapour Smooth Black.
Ultrasint™ TPU01 - 88A Pure Grey and Vapour Smooth Black is flexible, durable, with tear and abrasion resistance. It also has high chemical resistance, impact resistance and high UV resistance. It is a great candidate for the automotive industry and sporting products.

What is Multi Jet Fusion?

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Why Choose Multi Jet Fusion for your 3D Printing Project?

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How does Multi Jet Fusion Work?

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Benefits of Multi Jet Fusion

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Multi Jet Fusion Design Considerations

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Multi Jet Fusion: What is it used for?

For fast, quality results, Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is unparalleled as a 3D printing process. It’s able to produce functional nylon prototypes and end-use production parts in a single day, featuring quality surface finishes and fine feature resolution. It also offers more consistent mechanical properties than similar processes like selective laser sintering.

Using an inkjet array to repeatedly apply fusing agents across a bed of nylon powder, followed by fusion into a solid layer via heating elements, MJF is able to offer complex and detailed features. Protolabs offers a commercial-grade unfilled Nylon 12 material to create durable parts. Multi Jet Fusion offers a fast and advanced way to create parts on demand. Discover more with this short video.

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Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)