3D Print Post-Processing: Difference between revisions
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=Existing Methods= | =Existing Methods= | ||
==FDM Prints== | ==FDM Prints== | ||
===Sanding== | ===Sanding=== | ||
*Pretty straightforward | *Pretty straightforward | ||
*[[Needle Files]] , [[Deburring Tools]] , and [[Sandpaper]] rest is self explanitory | *[[Needle Files]] , [[Deburring Tools]] , and [[Sandpaper]] rest is self explanitory | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
*In theory could something like [[Plastic Pellets]] / [[Plastic Regrind]] be used? | *In theory could something like [[Plastic Pellets]] / [[Plastic Regrind]] be used? | ||
== [[Solvent Vapor Smoothing]] == | === [[Solvent Vapor Smoothing]] === | ||
*This only works for certain plastics, but a [[Solvent]] (Typically Water or [[Acetone]] ) is vaporized in a chamber, the print is placed in there, and the vapor (partially) dissolves the surface of the material | *This only works for certain plastics, but a [[Solvent]] (Typically Water or [[Acetone]] ) is vaporized in a chamber, the print is placed in there, and the vapor (partially) dissolves the surface of the material | ||
*After a certain time period of exposure, the part (or the solvent if done in some fancy [[Solvent Recovery]] method, Vacuum + [[Bakeout]] ?) is removed | *After a certain time period of exposure, the part (or the solvent if done in some fancy [[Solvent Recovery]] method, Vacuum + [[Bakeout]] ?) is removed | ||
Revision as of 00:47, 10 May 2023
Basics
- This Page Aims to Lay Out The Existing Methods of Post-Processing 3D Printed Things
- It also will organize methods that need further investigation
Existing Methods
FDM Prints
Sanding
- Pretty straightforward
- Needle Files , Deburring Tools , and Sandpaper rest is self explanitory
- Also maybe a Microfiber Cloth / "bath" in the sink or a Parts Washing Bin to clean off any Microplastics / burnt bits
- A Hot Air Gun / SMD Electronics Rework Station can be used for small details like Stringing related "fuzz" ~~or just a Butane Lighter if you are desperate~~
- Main Downside is Time Spent
Media Blasting
- Also known as "Sandblasting"
- Media Blasting is the more broad concept, and especially given the hardness of (most) FDM 3D Printed Plastics, a less "aggressive" media is most likely required
- Would need to look into the existing literature on all this
- In theory could something like Plastic Pellets / Plastic Regrind be used?
Solvent Vapor Smoothing
- This only works for certain plastics, but a Solvent (Typically Water or Acetone ) is vaporized in a chamber, the print is placed in there, and the vapor (partially) dissolves the surface of the material
- After a certain time period of exposure, the part (or the solvent if done in some fancy Solvent Recovery method, Vacuum + Bakeout ?) is removed
- The solvent then evaporates leaving behind a smoothed (but sometimes deformed, reducing/predicting and accounting for this is key) surface
- (akin to Recrystalization / Zone Melting removing impurities, it does the same but for surface finish impurities)
- Main Downside is Solvent Cost (especially if Solvent Recovery (short of "don't dump the bucket down the drain until all of it was used/evaporated") isn't done) and the potential for part deformation)
FDM 3D Print Annealing
- Given they are Thermoplastics , FDM 3D Prints Can Be Either Re-melted, or Simply Heated Up
- This allows layer lines to "blur" and the part fuse into a single stronger one, or it can simply work in a manner similar to Post-Weld Heat Treatment
- In order to prevent part deformation/drooping etc this is typically done in some sort of media
- CNC Kitchen et al have documented using Plaster and Table Salt (Check if Iodonized Salt or just straight up Sodium Chloride (Although Did it also contain Anticaking Agents ...) )
- It needs to be studied, but if something along the lines of Chopped Glass Fiber / Chopped Carbon Fiber were used (or to an extent maybe just Carbon Black ), could something akin to Case Hardening be achieved?