3D Printing Part Finishing
How do we finish rough 3D-printed systems?
Q. We have two 3D printing systems with which we produce metal and plastic parts. The surfaces on both types of parts are very rough. What finishing system would you recommend to smooth our surfaces?—P.R.
A. Surface refinement of complex shaped 3D printed parts is a good fit for mass finishing. Surface refinement processes take time but are very effective.
I recommend higher energy systems to reduce time cycles. There are two machines that work well with 3D part refinement: 1) high-speed vibratory tub machine (2–3000 RPMs; 2) centrifugal disc high energy systems
3D printing produces surface finishes in the 120–300 Ra range. With high energy mass finishing, use a fast cut, medium-sized 5/8 by 5/8 tri-star ceramic media. 3D surfaces on plastic and metal parts can be refined to as low as a 16 Ra.
This will take 6–8 hours in the high-speed vibratory tub and 2–4 hours in the centrifugal disc machine.
Originally published in the July 2015 issue.
Related Content
-
NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #123: Electrochemical Manufacturing for Energy Applications – 3rd Quarterly Report - Part II
The NASF-AESF Foundation Research Board has selected a project on electrodeposition toward developing low-cost and scalable manufacturing processes for hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysis cells for clean transportation and distributed power applications. This third quarterly report consists of Part II of a review paper, prepared and submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication, covering opportunities and challenges for additive manufacturing technologies. Part I, covering the literature on additive manufacturing of SOFCs and SOECs, was published in December 2022.
-
NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #123: Electrochemical Manufacturing for Energy Applications – 4th and 5th Quarter Report
The NASF-AESF Foundation Research Board selected a project on electrodeposition toward developing low-cost and scalable manufacturing processes for hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysis cells for clean transportation and distributed power applications. During the reporting period, efforts were focused on planning the overall project work, with the eventual goal of manufacturing an improved design for a Solid oxide fuel cell anode supported flat tube (SOFC).
-
NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #123: Electrochemical Manufacturing for Energy Applications – 8th Quarterly Report
The NASF-AESF Foundation Research Board selected a project on electrodeposition toward developing low-cost and scalable manufacturing processes for hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysis cells for clean transportation and distributed power applications. This report covers the 8th quarter of work (October-December 2023, continuing work on 3D printing anode support for solid oxide fuel cells and electrolyzers. Work involved the effect of sintering temperature on the amount of porosity and grain size in 3D printed yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ).
