3D printing surface treatment process introduction

After the product is 3D printed, sometimes post-processing is required. In fact, it is mainly surface treatment. The common post-processing methods include these points. The following is the explanation for you:

Sanding - physical polishing

The surface of 3D printed items is sometimes rough and needs to be polished. Polishing methods include physical polishing and chemical polishing. Although FDM technology equipment can produce high-quality parts, it has to be said that the layer-by-layer texture on the part is visible to the naked eye, especially in the case of a large number of supports; this often affects the user's judgment, especially when the appearance is When it is an important factor of the part, then post-processing with sanding is required.

Sanding can be done by hand or with professional equipment like a belt sander. Sanding is an inexpensive and proven method that has been the most common and widely used technique for post-finishing 3D printed parts.

Chemical polishing

ABS can be polished with acetone vapor. You can boil acetone in a fume hood to fumigate printed items. There are also polishing machines on the market; PLA cannot be polished with acetone. There is a special PLA polishing oil, but chemical polishing must be mastered, because it is all At the cost of corroding the surface; generally speaking, chemical polishing is not mature enough at present, and its application is relatively small.

Surface blasting

Surface sandblasting is also a commonly used post-processing process. The operator holds the nozzle and sprays medium beads at high speed towards the polishing object to achieve the polishing effect. Pear-lescent treatment is generally relatively fast, and the treatment can be completed in about 5 to 10 minutes. After treatment, the surface of the product is smooth and has a uniform matte effect.

To color

Because except for the full-color sandstone printing technology that can achieve color 3D printing, others can generally only print a single color. Sometimes it is necessary to color the printed objects, such as ABS plastic, photosensitive resin, nylon, metal, etc. Different materials require different pigments.