Need your 3D-printed parts to look better and perform better?

Try vapor/mechanical smoothing!

One of the most exciting secondary finishing techniques GoProto employs on our Multi Jet Fusion parts is BLAST Vapor Smoothing. This process uses the AMT PostPro3D smoothing machine to expose parts to a vaporized solvent gas, which reorders the surface molecules to smooth the part without dramatically affecting the dimensions ( it reduces the part dimensions by roughly .4%).

Not only does this process improve the surface finish of the parts, but tests have shown that the parts are also made more tough, elongation is improved, resistance to liquids is improved, and the part is sealed better, which provides for better surface adhesion for gasketing and suction and provides an excellent base for adding paint, Cerakote, hydrographics or clear coat.

PostPro3D® is a CE and UL listed machine and is based on AMT’s proprietary BLAST™ process (Boundary Layer Automated Smoothing Technology)which is a physical-chemical-based process that can smooth a wide variety of thermoplastic polymers that are printed in MJF, or FDM 3D printing technologies. The process is non-line-of-sight and can smooth complex internal cavities of polymer parts.

The PostPro3D technology is highly controllable, allowing reproducible results with no degradation of a parts’ mechanical properties – and in fact it improves some mechanical properties such as elongation and impact strength. Smoothing makes parts look great and since there is no secondary layer added there is very minimal impact to tolerances and there’s no paint to scratch!

“Thank you for turning this around so quickly! The painted parts look great. It is very much appreciated!” — Shokoofeh (Contract Design Manufacturing Company)