XJet’s NanoParticle Jetting (NPJ) Technology Is Unlocking Powderless Ceramic and Metal Additive Manufacturing

Per the most recent Wohlers Report, the market for additive manufacturing goods and services has seen a growth of about 18.3% over the past year, confirming not only the continued market recovery from the pandemic, but also the increasing importance of the sector. Not only that, but among the different technologies, those using metal and ceramics have grown particularly quickly. Indeed, the metal additive manufacturing market is currently worth over $3 billion according to a report from AMPOWER, with a projected growth of CAGR 26.1%. Meanwhile, ceramic AM is expected to be worth $400 million by 2032, a sevenfold increase since 2020.

Nevertheless, barriers for adoption of metal and ceramic 3D printing remain. Notably, those that reflect the use of powder and slurries, which make up the majority of ceramic and metal AM. This not only leads to waste, but also requires considerable post-processing. Not to mention, the handling and processing of these raw materials along the manufacturing process poses several inherent shortfalls that impact adoption and scale. This relates especially to the fact that it is necessary to deal directly with hazardous materials and lasers, as well as with manual and lengthy powder removal and recycling. Thankfully, alternative technologies are answering this concern. Israeli manufacturer XJet is known for its NanoParticle Jetting™ (NPJ) technology, which uses inks rather than powder, yielding parts with high levels of detail, finish, and accuracy. We took a closer look at how exactly the technology works.

Xjet’s NPJ solution

How Does NPJ Work?

NPJ is unique among both metal and ceramic AM processes. Typically, printing with either of these materials will require using loose powder or slurry. Undoubtedly, it is safe to say that the build process in most metal and ceramic AM technologies involves the spreading the loose material before binding or sintering the layer.