Vapor Smoothing in 3D Printing: Optimizing the Performance of Printed Parts

In the world of 3D printing, the quest for methods to enhance the performance and aesthetic appearance of produced parts is a constant endeavor.

Among the various post-production techniques available, vapor smoothing stands out for its effectiveness in imparting new properties and significant improvements to printed parts.

Vapor smoothing is a post-production process primarily applied to 3D-printed parts to enhance their surface finish, strength, and aesthetic appearance.

This technique offers several advantages, including:

• Surface Finish Improvement: Surfaces of 3D-printed parts can exhibit irregularities and porosity due to the 3D printing process. Vapor smoothing acts to eliminate these imperfections, providing surfaces with a smooth and uniform finish.
• Glossy Surfaces: One of the most appreciated features of chemical smoothing is its ability to give parts a glossy and shiny finish. This not only enhances the aesthetic appearance of the parts but also makes them more appealing for applications where appearance matters.
• Porosity Removal: Surface porosities can compromise the strength and durability of 3D-printed parts. Vapor smoothing can reduce or completely eliminate these porosities, thereby increasing the strength and lifespan of the parts.
• Improved Strength: Through the application of specific chemical agents, chemical smoothing can enhance the resistance of printed parts to liquids, chemicals, and mechanical stress. This makes them more suitable for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.
• Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance: The smooth and uniform surfaces obtained through vapor smoothing simplify the cleaning and maintenance operations of printed parts, reducing the time and costs associated with these activities.

AFTER

Vapor smoothing finds application in a variety of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer industries. Parts printed through 3D printing technology can undergo this process to achieve optimal performance and a high-quality appearance.

This treatment represents a crucial step in the post-production process of 3D-printed parts. Thanks to its numerous advantages, this technique enables the production of parts with optimal performance, impeccable surface finishes, and increased durability.

For anyone involved in the production of 3D-printed parts, chemical smoothing emerges as an option to consider in ensuring the success of their projects and meeting the needs of clients.

Tips & Tricks: What are design tolerances?

Exploring design tolerances in SLS 3D printing

Why using tolerances?

The use of tolerances is a common practice in various industries, and their role becomes particularly evident in ensuring the flawless coupling of components.

But what exactly are design tolerances?

When designing or manufacturing a component, achieving precise dimensions in every unit produced can be a challenge.

Materials, subject to variations in temperature and other factors, can expand or contract. This is where tolerances come into play, defining the limits within which a specific dimension can vary without compromising the functionality of the part.

Prototype: Definition and Utility

A prototype is the physical realization of an idea or project, an initial model created to evaluate both the aesthetic and functional aspects of an application.

What is Rapid Prototyping?

Rapid prototyping is the process of quickly creating a physical model of an idea or project.

This model, called a prototype, provides a tangible and visual representation of the application in the development phase. 3D printing has become a key technology for rapid prototyping due to its ability to rapidly translate digital designs into physical objects.

The primary purpose is to expedite the development process, enabling a comprehensive assessment of the performance and form of the product.

Advantages

• Reduction of Development and Production Times: 3D printing allows for the rapid translation of designs into physical prototypes, significantly reducing development times.
• Cost Reduction: By eliminating the need for expensive molds, rapid prototyping with 3D printing helps contain costs in the design and development phase.
• Improvement of Product Quality: The ability to assess aesthetic and functional aspects in an early phase enables continuous improvements to the final product’s quality.
• Production Evaluation: With the initial step of prototyping, subsequent steps for mass production can be evaluated, allowing assessments of timelines and costs.

Case History Bimota

Bimota utilizes rapid prototyping in collaboration with Prosilas to expedite the development of its new motorcycle models.

Thanks to 3D printing, the design and testing process has become more efficient, reducing the time required to transition from the idea to the prototype from approximately 12 to 4 months.

Tips & Tricks: What are Dimensional Tolerances?

Dimensional Tolerance in SLS 3D Printing: Management and Control by Prosilas

Thermal Expansion

This difference between the nominal dimensions in the 3D file and the printed part is due to thermal expansion, an intrinsic phenomenon in SLS technology.

This printing methodology involves heating the materials to their melting temperature, such as 170°C in the case of polyamide.

During the subsequent cooling process, the part transitions from the melting temperature to room temperature, contracting by approximately 3%.

NDA: The Value of Confidentiality Agreements at the Heart of a Trust Relationship Between Service Providers and Manufacturing Companies

Confidentiality Agreements, commonly known as NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements), are legally significant in the manufacturing industry as they are designed to protect confidential and sensitive information.

NDA contracts are widely used in both the industrial and technological sectors, as well as in research and development, with the explicit goal of preventing the disclosure of sensitive data to third parties without the explicit consent of the information owner.

Within the Prototal Industries group, we have privileged access to diverse technological resources, occasionally collaborating with external suppliers. This is precisely why it is crucial to extend confidentiality throughout the production chain when exchanging information with colleagues and partners.

Cybersecurity: Protecting Information Online

Information communication occurs through digital platforms or by transmitting files via email, emphasizing the relevance of cybersecurity issues.

In this regard, Prosilas consistently invests in enhancing its cybersecurity systems, ensuring adequate monitoring and protection of exchanged information.

Our staff also undergoes continuous specialized training to maintain high-level expertise in this field.