White Paper

Enhancing the Surface Quality of SLS 3D Printed Parts With Vapor Smoothing: A Collaborative Study by Formlabs and AMT

In this white paper, we will review the considerations and benefits of vapor smoothing, report results from testing Formlabs SLS powders with AMT Vapor Smoothing System.

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Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Overview of Vapor Smoothing
  3. Benefits of Vapor Smoothing
  4. Process and Design Considerations for Vapor Smoothing
  5. Comprehensive Assessment of Formlabs Materials Post Vapor Smoothing
  6. Application Examples
  7. Customer Case Study:3D Nation
  8. Options for Vapor Smoothing
  9. Costs of Vapor Smoothing
  10. Conclusion

Introduction

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a widely used 3D printing technology that fabricates intricate parts by employing a laser to sinter powdered materials layer by layer. This approach yields precise and robust components, yet it has one significant drawback: the resulting surface finish tends to be rough and porous, detracting from its applicability in scenarios where a smooth finish is paramount. However, through the deployment of additional post-processing techniques, such as vapor smoothing, SLS parts can achieve surface quality and durability comparable to traditional injection molded parts.

Overview of Vapor Smoothing

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a widely used 3D printing technology that fabricates intricate parts by employing a laser to sinter powdered materials layer by layer. This approach yields precise and robust components, yet it has one significant drawback: the resulting surface finish tends to be rough and porous, detracting from its applicability in scenarios where a smooth finish is paramount. However, through the deployment of additional post-processing techniques, such as vapor smoothing, SLS parts can achieve surface quality and durability comparable to traditional injection molded parts.

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