• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Engineering Designer Magazine

Engineering Designer

  • Home
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Sustainability
  • Materials
  • Medical
  • Construction
  • Advertise
  • iED
You are here: Home / Materials / Smooth operator: new technology launched for finishing 3D-printed plastic parts

Smooth operator: new technology launched for finishing 3D-printed plastic parts

January 21, 2022 by Geordie Torr

US-based digital manufacturer Protolabs has announced a major breakthrough in the post-production finishing of 3D-printed plastic parts with the launch of its ‘vapour smoothing’ technology.

‘While 3D printing allows an engineer to design and produce complex parts and is ideal for low production runs when compared to injection moulding, the surface finish of the latter is far smoother,’ said Andrea Landoni, Protolabs’ 3D-printing product manager. ‘Now, using vapour smoothing, we can bridge that gap for additive-manufactured parts to smooth and seal even the smallest cavities on the surface.This allows parts in these materials to be used for a wider range of applications that demand a very fine, smooth finish for aesthetic and functional reasons.’

Advertisement

The process involves placing parts produced using either selective laser sintering or multi-jet fusion are into a smoothing chamber, which heats them and introduces a finishing agent. Under carefully controlled conditions, the agent evaporates and the vapour spreads across all of the part’s surfaces, causing them liquify. Material then redistributes, evening out any peaks and troughs, and sealing cavities.

In addition to enhancing the surface finish of parts – even those with very complex geometries – the automated process also improves their mechanical properties, with increased elongation at break and impact strength. Furthermore, treated surfaces are also water- and airtight, and are easier to clean.

Advertisement

‘Because the finishing process is automated, it can be used for far more geometries than a manual smoothing process, which can be limited due to reaching difficult-to-access areas,’ Landoni said. ‘This means that you can have all the advantages of additive manufacturing for parts and achieve a surface finish that’s comparable to injection moulding.’

‘Currently, this process is available for [the commonly used nylon material] PA-12 and [the elastic material] TPU-01, which covers many potential applications,’ Landoni concluded. ‘However, we are also currently testing the process for more materials so watch this space for additions.’

Filed Under: Materials, Technology

Primary Sidebar

SUBSCRIBE And get a FREE Magazine

Want a FREE magazine each and every month jam-packed with the latest engineering and design news, views and features?

ED Update Magazine

Simply let us know where to send it by entering your name and email below. Immediate access.

Trending

New research could unlock the potential of bladeless wind turbines

Fog harp gets an upgrade

Rethinking design creativity through generative AI

Rice University students win global design contest with cutting-edge haptic wristband

A new metal design for solid-state batteries

Engineers explore the use of robots in chemistry labs

New design brings zero-emission aviation a step closer

Researchers develop ultrasonic wireless battery charging technology

New algorithm promises improved joint designs

Academic develops digital tool with the potential to transform traditional product testing

Footer

About Engineering Designer

Engineering Designer is the quarterly journal of the Insitution of Engineering Designers.

It is produced by the IED for our Members and for those who have an interest in engineering and product design, as well as CAD users.

Click here to learn more about the IED.

Other Pages

  • Contact us
  • About us
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms
  • Institution of Engineering Designers

Search

Tags

ied

Copyright © 2025 · Site by Syon Media