How to Unlock Additive for Industrial Applications with Vapor Smoothing

In any industry or sector, there are a number of necessary standards that must be met to ensure the proper functioning of certain parts, systems or services. The rise of additive manufacturing (AM) in many fields has led to the need to control the properties of 3D printed parts, both in terms of performance and biocompatibility. To meet these stringent requirements, post-processing of raw parts made using AM is crucial. This is because these steps eliminate imperfections and help users to obtain the desired, or even required, finish. Thus, different post-processing solutions have been emerging to help 3D printed parts to comply with the certifications for different applications, enabling them to compete directly with traditional processes such as injection molding.

Whether for the creation of prostheses, nasal swabs, dental aligners or medical helmets, the healthcare sector, among others, is one of the most demanding in terms of part quality, safety and performance. In the AM market, there are a number of post-processing methods that, at first glance, offer the necessary smooth finishes for these types of applications. However, the problem lies in the inner channels of the part, which are still exposed, potentially trapping bacteria and contaminating the production process. To provide a solution to this, AMT is offering an automated post-processing system, called Vapor Smoothing, which provides a smooth and sealed surface finish for 3D printed parts. Thanks to this post-processing method, it is possible for parts to pass different tests that prove that they meet the standards and regulations for industrial applications in a number of fields.

Photo Credits: AMT/ZiggZagg

How Does Vapor Smoothing Work?

To understand how standards could be achieved with 3D printed parts in the most demanding industries, such as medical, dental and automotive, with this process, it is first necessary to look at how the technology works. The vapor smoothing method developed by AMT suspends batches of parts in a sealed processing chamber into which a proprietary solvent blend is introduced as vapor in a closed-loop system. The vapor comes into contact with the parts, sealing them and eliminating their surface irregularities. By eliminating the crack initiation sites, the vapor smoothing process completely seals the surface of the part, resulting in an increase in elongation at break with no loss in ultimate tensile strength.