HP Molded Fiber Advanced Tooling Solution

Moulded Fibre packaging / Source: HP

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3 MINUTE READ

Kaltrina Bylykbashi

WHAT WE SAY:

There is little point in us hyping a sustainable material if it is not able to deliver the required performance that designers and brands need.

HP’s tooling system makes it possible to create production moulds cheaper, faster and lighter, while also enabling designers to create higher resolution moulded fibre products on top. That is the kind of win-win that we love to see – one that will be celebrated as much by the CFO as the CMO.

KEY FACTS:

In September 2020, HP introduced its Moulded Fibre Advanced Tooling Solution, a technology platform that simplifies and democratises the moulded fibre production process.
The online platform enables designers to upload mould body designs and have them printed on-demand, via 3D printers, in as little as two weeks.
The new solution offers reduced costs and faster turnaround times, versus traditional metal moulds, enabling shorter production runs.
The 3D print process can also produce higher definition moulds, down to logos and text detailing.

Fibre packaging / Source: HP

DIVE DEEPER:

HP is looking to address the USD 3.2 billion moulded fibre market by making it simpler, faster and cheaper for manufacturers to release products with sustainable packaging.
The key difference is that HP’s platform makes moulds made from plant-based polyamide, made from non-GMO castor plants
These polyamide mould bodies are significantly lighter than traditional metal alternatives, speeding up installation and changeover times.
Plastic-based moulds also do not suffer from corrosion and calcification in the same way that metal ones do, extending their lifespan.
The outputs from the 3D printed moulds can accommodate more complex geometries and shallower draft angles than traditional moulds.
HP also offers a design consultancy service to support manufacturers.
These factors combine to reduce turnaround time from design to production down to as little as two weeks, approximately half that of traditional methods.

"We both had the same vision. We wanted to create an innovative, thermoforming product to reduce single-use film plastic."

Jean-Philippe Jaques - General Director, Innofibre

Key Design Considerations:

Is the HP moulded fibre process and output suitable for your needs?

There are many different feedstocks and grades of moulded fibre. You should confirm whether HP’s solution can accommodate your choice of fibre and desired output.

Does increased efficiency in one area create more waste in other parts of the system?

While HP contends that its polyamide moulds are longer lasting because they do not corrode, this is somewhat at odds with its platform enabling an increased number of short runs. You should confirm that the discarded moulds are recycled in a circular system.

Could you eliminate other unnecessary materials?

The increased resolution means that you can create moulded fibre with logos and text embossed directly onto the product. Could you use this to eliminate stickers or other elements?

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HP Molded Fiber Advanced Tooling Solution

WHAT WE SAY:

There is little point in us hyping a sustainable material if it is not able to deliver the required performance that designers and brands need.

KEY FACTS:

DIVE DEEPER:

HP is looking to address the USD 3.2 billion moulded fibre market by making it simpler, faster and cheaper for manufacturers to release products with sustainable packaging.

The key difference is that HP’s platform makes moulds made from plant-based polyamide, made from non-GMO castor plants

These polyamide mould bodies are significantly lighter than traditional metal alternatives, speeding up installation and changeover times.

Plastic-based moulds also do not suffer from corrosion and calcification in the same way that metal ones do, extending their lifespan.

The outputs from the 3D printed moulds can accommodate more complex geometries and shallower draft angles than traditional moulds.

HP also offers a design consultancy service to support manufacturers.

These factors combine to reduce turnaround time from design to production down to as little as two weeks, approximately half that of traditional methods.

Jean-Philippe Jaques - General Director, Innofibre

Key Design Considerations:

Is the HP moulded fibre process and output suitable for your needs?

Does increased efficiency in one area create more waste in other parts of the system?

Could you eliminate other unnecessary materials?

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