• EOS part with hand, 3D printing, plastic, powder | © EOS
    Optimization for Applications

    Post-Processing of Plastic Parts
    in 3D Printing

Parts from the 3D printer are fully functional straight away. Their natural surface has a sand-like, grainy appearance and feels slightly rough to the touch. This surface finish is not ideal for some applications. The surface can be refined with various post-processing methods.

Post-Processing Methods

Process description
Excess material is removed from the part using glass or plastic beads. Blasting with CO2 ice is also possible.

 

Properties

  • Manual or automated cleaning
  • No material removal
  • Surface gentle treatment

Process description
The part is bombarded with a blasting medium, which compacts the surface and smooths out any roughness.

 

Properties

  • Matte glossy, scratch-resistant and dirt-resistant surface
  • No material removal
  • Process does not depend on part geometry

Process description
The surface of the part is colored homogeneously in a water bath. Using pressure and heat, the colors penetrate into the plastic by means of a chemical reaction.

 

Properties

  • Unlimited selection of colors for white parts
  • No material deposit, part geometry is unchanged
  • ISO certified colors

Process description
Using compressed air, the paint is atomized from a nozzle and applied to the part.

 

Properties

  • Unlimited selection of colors for white parts

Process description
The surface of the part is chemically dissolved, which smooths it.

 

Properties

  • Smooth, highly glossy, sealed and washable surface
  • Suitable for hard and flexible plastics
  • Injection molding look

Process description
The surface being flocked is coated with an adhesive to which fibers are then applied.

 

Properties

  • Velvety-soft surface

Process description
Small pores on the part are sealed by coating it with an aqueous solution.


Properties

  • Smooth and sealed surface
  • Modified part properties, e.g. water-tightness, UV and chemical resistance

Process description
The part is coated with a thin layer of metal using electrolysis.

 

Properties

  • Metallic appearance

Process description
The coating material is first evaporated, then condensed onto the part, covering it with a thin layer of metal.

 

Properties

  • Metallic appearance
  • Vacuum-based coating

Process description
A coating is created by depositing a solid component from the gas phase onto the heated surface of a part using a chemical reaction.

 

Properties

  • Coating of complex three-dimensional surfaces
  • A variety of chemical reactions enables a large number of different materials to be used
Orange colored lamp by Digital Forming, 3D printing, EOS, plastic, powder | © EOS Source: Digital Forming | EOS
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