Better post processing
50 August 2019 http://www.makepartsfast.com DESIGN WORLD
The PostPro3D BLAST process
can achieve consistent surface
finish on non-line of sight
organic lattice structures.Post-Processing for AM
Post-processing is actually an umbrella term for a
number of stages that AM parts may go through
after they come out of the AM system and before
they are fit for purpose. The term “post-processing”
is often used interchangeably with “finishing,” which
can be confusing. With many processes there are
a series of essential post-processing steps that
must be undertaken prior to the AM-produced part
finishing stages. Thus “finishing” is actually a subset
of post-processing, not a term that should be used
interchangeably with post-processing.Post-processing can include any or all
of the following:- Excess material removal
- Curing / heat treatment
- Support removal
- Machining
- Surface finish processes (such as bead blasting)
- Coloring
- Inspection
DESIGN WORLD http://www.makepartsfast.com August 2019 51Post-processing is often the elephant in the
room when it comes to AM as a production
tool. For AM production applications,
post-processing is a considerable element
of the overall cost-per-part, and can be
anything up to 60% of total cost depending
on application. Support removal and other
post-processing activities are often labor
intensive, and therefore cost- and time-
consuming. In addition, there is often a
necessity for post-processing to enhance
final part characteristics, in terms of
function or aesthetics.
This is why the issue of post-processing
is so important when looking at the viability
of AM for serial production, because it is
often the area where the technology falls
down as a competitive manufacturing
technology. The post-processing
conundrum must be confronted head
on with an ecosystem approach to each
individual application — from end toPost Processing MPF 8-19_Vs3.LL.indd 51 8/5/19 11:36 AM