Multinational opens large-scale 3D printing and digital manufacturing lab
Rehana Begg
HP's new R&D lab in Barcelona, Spain, is among the world’s largest industrial additive manufacturing technologies facilities
PHOTO: HP Inc.
HP Inc., known for its personal systems, printers and 3D printing solutions, has opened its new 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Barcelona, Spain.
Touted as one of the world’s most advanced research and development facilities for the next-generation technologies powering the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the 150,000 square feet of innovation space at HP’s Barcelona campus is dedicated to the company’s industrial 3D printing portfolio.
The large-scale factory environment encourages collaboration with customers and partners on the digital manufacturing technologies revolutionizing their industries, said Christoph Schell, president of 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing at HP Inc. The facility integrates flexible and interactive layouts, co-development environments, and fleets of the latest HP plastics and metals 3D production systems to drive more rapid and agile product development and end-to-end solutions for customers.
The facility brings together hundreds of additive manufacturing experts in systems engineering, data intelligence, software, materials science, design, and 3D printing and digital manufacturing applications.
Leaders such as BASF, GKN Metallurgy, Siemens, Volkswagen and others across the automotive, industrial, healthcare, and consumer goods sectors will continue collaborating with HP on new 3D printing and digital manufacturing innovations at the Center, said Schell.
The investment in the 3+ acre facility enhances HP’s global 3D printing and digital manufacturing footprint. HP’s existing innovation locations are Corvallis, Oregon; Palo Alto, California; San Diego, California; Vancouver, Washington; Barcelona, Spain; and Singapore.
The 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing Center of Excellence incorporates a photovoltaic canopy to provide 110kW of power, rain water reuse for irrigation and sanitary purposes, HVAC and natural light optimization, and eco-friendly construction materials with a goal of achieving a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification.
HP’s goal is to use 100% renewable energy in its global operations over time, with a target of 60% by 2025.
