Vapour Smoothing — 3D People UK

Introducing TPU01 MJF! Get flexible, resilient 3D prints with our latest material. Available now!

 

Vapour smoothing enhances the appearance, feel and performance of 3D printed parts. The process involves exposing your 3D prints to a vaporised solvent which smooths and seals their surfaces. By reducing crack initiation points, vapour smoothing increases the elongation at break, resulting in parts that are not only smoother and sealed but also more durable. These enhancements make vapour-smoothed parts ideal for applications requiring airtight and watertight integrity while also boosting their impact resistance and fatigue strength.

drag the sliders to Compare Example finishes

SLS PA12 - White Vapour Smooth

Vapour Smoothing Natural White SLS parts removes the grainy surface texture resulting in a smooth surface finish comparable to injection moulded quality. The sealed surface significantly enhances the part's durability and improves dirt resistance, making it suitable for use in demanding environments.

MJF PA12 - Black Dye Vapour Smooth

Vapour Smoothed black parts are a darker colour and have a slightly shinier finish. The smoothed surface is sealed and more dirt-resistant. The resulting parts are more robust, visually striking and easier to clean, making them ideal for applications where appearance and functionality are critical.

 

MJF TPU01 - Natural Vapour Smooth

Vapour Smoothing transforms Grey Ultrasint TPU01 MJF parts into a sleek, dark grey finish, significantly enhancing their surface quality. The process smooths out the rough texture of the original 3D print, delivering a flexible, high-quality result similar to injection moulding. The sealed surface not only boosts durability and flexibility but also offers improved resistance to dirt, moisture, and tearing.

SLS PA12 - Colour Dye Vapour Smooth

Vapour smoothing enhances the appearance of dyed parts by creating a smoother surface, resulting in a more uniform and glossy finish. This process intensifies the vibrancy of the colour, giving it a richer and more polished look compared to textured finishes like shot peening or vibro-polishing, which tend to diffuse and soften the colour. By combining vapour smoothing with colour dyeing, the final parts achieve a sleek and vibrant appearance, making them ideal for applications where aesthetics and performance are key.

WHY USE Vapour smooth finishing?

Additive Manufacturing is commonly used for low-volume production, offering unparalleled agility and speed. However, industrial powder bed fusion technologies like Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) produce parts with a grainy surface texture reminiscent of an extra-strong mint. The advent of chemical vapour smoothing has marked a significant turning point in this landscape. This innovative technology not only smoothes and seals the surfaces of 3D-printed parts but also enhances their mechanical properties. Utilising vapour smoothing has positioned 3D printed polymers as more viable than ever for low-volume production.

PROS


✅Smooth Surface Finish:

Diminishes layer line visibility for a surface finish comparable to injection moulding.

✅Uniform Coverage:

Ensures consistent finish across all surfaces, including intricate and hard-to-reach areas, as well as non-line-of-sight features.

✅Enhanced Mechanical Properties:

Improves elongation at break, impact resistance and fatigue, increasing durability.

✅Sealed Surface:

Renders the surface airtight and watertight, reducing moisture absorption.

✅Prevent Bacterial Growth:

Enhances hygiene by creating a smoother surface less conducive to bacterial accumulation, ideal for medical applications.

✅Consistent Results:

Offers repeatable processing results for consistent quality in volume production.

✅No Added Materials:

Maintains the integrity of the original material, free from the addition of any coatings, retaining part tolerances.

✅Clean Process:

Leaves no residual chemicals on parts, ensuring a safe and clean finish.

CONS


👎Increased Lead Time:

Requires an additional day in the production process, extending overall lead times.

👎Additional Costs:

Extra charges are incurred, adding to the cost of the final product.

👎Geometric Limitations:

Not suitable for all part geometries. Adherence to the design guidelines is necessary.

👎Size Constraints:

The process has limitations on the size of parts that can be effectively smoothed.

👎Detail and Texture Reduction:

The process can result in a loss of fine surface details and textures, affecting the intricacy of the part's appearance.

How it works

The 3D printed parts are suspended from wires inside a chamber before the air is removed. A vapourised solvent is introduced and condenses onto the parts, uniformly covering their surfaces in solvent. The solvent partially dissolves the outermost layers of the polymer material, causing the surface to reflow. This means that tiny pores, layer lines and other surface imperfections are filled in as the softened material moves into these spaces. After the smoothing process, the parts undergo a controlled drying phase to ensure no residual chemicals remain on the parts for a clean, safe, and enhanced finish.

What vapour smoothing does to your 3D Prints

The process of vapour smoothing does much more than smooth the surface of your PA12 Nylon 3D printed parts. It transforms your parts, expanding their versatility and facilitating access to innovative applications.

Enhances Aesthetics

Achieving a smoothness that rivals injection moulding, this process diminishes layer line visibility, significantly elevating the visual and tactile quality of your parts. The superior finish ensures uniform coverage across all surfaces, granting a seamless appearance even in the most intricate details and hard-to-reach areas.

Improves Mechanical Properties

By filling in tiny pores and smoothing the surface, parts become less prone to developing cracks under stress. This increases elongation at break, impact resistance, and fatigue strength, ensuring parts are more durable and suited for rigorous use.

Seals the Surface

The sealed surface becomes airtight and watertight, opening opportunities for diverse applications. Its effectiveness in sealing the surface also plays a crucial role in preventing bacterial growth, making it especially valuable in applications where hygiene is a critical concern.

Vapour Smoothing Design Guidelines:

Use this guide to maximise the effectiveness of vapour smoothing on your 3D prints. This resource draws upon data regarding the impact of vapour smoothing on a wide array of parts. It's important to recognise that each design possesses its own distinct geometry, which may influence the outcome of the smoothing process. As such, while this guide provides a robust foundation, the specific characteristics of your unique design could lead to variations in results. Our aim is to empower you with the knowledge to achieve optimal finishes, tailored to the nuanced requirements of your individual projects.

 

 FAQ:

+ How do I order Vapour Smooth Finishing?

Easily place your order by uploading your 3D files to our instant quote portal. Select your material (compatible with both MJF and SLS) and opt for Vapour Smooth Finishing as your preferred post-processing choice.

+ What materials are compatible with Vapour Smooth Finishing?

Our service is attuned to a select range of materials frequently used in MJF and SLS printing. For a comprehensive list, please consult our material guide.

+ How can Vapour Smooth Finishing affect mechanical properties?

Vapour Smooth Finishing uses a vaporised solvent that condenses on the parts, slightly dissolving the surface to cause the material to reflow and fill in tiny pores, layer lines, and imperfections. Smoothing the surface and filling in micro-porosities reduces crack formation sites under stress, thereby improving elongation at break, impact resistance, and fatigue strength. As a result, vapour smooothed parts are more durable and better suited to withstand rigorous usage.

+ Does Vapour Smooth Finishing affect the dimensional accuracy of parts?

While there may be a slight dimensional alteration, our precise control measures aim to minimise any significant changes. It's crucial to account for this when designing parts demanding high precision.

+ Can Vapour Smooth be applied to selected areas of the part?

Due to the comprehensive nature of the vapour process, it uniformly affects the entire part, precluding selective area application.

+ How long does the Vapour Smooth Finishing process take?

Typically, the process introduces an additional 1-2 days to your production lead time, subject to the part's complexity and volume.

+ How much does Vapour Smooth Finishing cost?

Pricing reflects an additional percentage over the base unit price, varying with the part's size and complexity. For precise quotes, please use our instant quote portal.

+ Can Vapour Smooth Finishing be combined with other post-processing techniques?

Yes, it can be combined with other post-processing techniques, such as dyeing or painting. However, the compatibility and order of processes depend on the specific requirements of your project.

+ Is there a risk of part deformation during the Vapour Smooth process?

Our controlled process minimizes the risk of deformation. However, parts with very thin walls or delicate features might be more susceptible. We recommend following our design guidelines to avoid such issues.

+ Is the finished part safe for medical or food contact applications?

Parts processed with Vapour Smooth Finishing can be suitable for certain applications. For specific compliance information regarding medical or food contact, please consult with our team.

+ Is Vapour Smooth Finishing suitable for volume manufacturing?

Absolutely. Vapour Smooth Finishing is well-suited for volume manufacturing, offering scalability and consistent quality across large batches. The process efficiently handles multiple parts simultaneously, ensuring a uniform finish which is vital for maintaining quality standards in high-volume production. For detailed insights on integrating Vapour Smooth Finishing into your volume manufacturing process, feel free to contact our team.