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Post-Processing of AM and 3D-Printed Parts

The special report provides a broad range of methods and techniques for finishing parts made by additive manufacturing (AM), also referred to as 3D printing.

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ISBN 978-0-9913332-8-8

Organizations involved with AM have vast amounts of post-processing knowledge and experience, yet little systematic documentation is available. This has led to countless companies “reinventing the wheel” and spending time and money unnecessarily to complete jobs. This report has detailed information on methods of post-processing for most types of AM parts. The 43-page publication is available in digital form.

The special report, titled Post-Processing of AM and 3D-Printed Parts, provides a broad range of methods and techniques for finishing parts made by additive manufacturing (AM), also referred to as 3D printing. Most parts made by AM require some form of post-processing.

PART 1: INTRODUCTION TO POST-PROCESSING

  • Design for AM
    • Joining AM parts

PART 2: POLYMER SUPPORT MATERIAL REMOVAL

  • Material Extrusion
    • Single material system
    • Break-away support material
    • Soluble support
  • Vat photopolymerization
  • Material jetting
  • Powder bed fusion

PART 3: METAL SUPPORT MATERIAL REMOVAL

  • Powder removal
    • Laser powder bed fusion
    • Electron beam melting
    • Metal binder jetting
  • Part removal from build plate
  • Support material removal
    • Manual removal
    • Wire EDM removal
    • Electrochemical removal
    • Metal material extrusion

PART 4: SURFACE FINISHING

  • Abrasive flow machining
  • Anodizing
  • Machining and grinding
  • Media blasting
  • Passivating and phosphating
  • Plasma and ion-beam cleaning
  • Plasma spraying
  • Shot peening
  • Strengthening gypsum parts
  • Strengthening MEX parts
  • Hiding layer lines with textures
  • Vapor smoothing
    • Manual vapor smoothing
    • Automated vapor smoothing
  • Vibratory polishing
    • High-speed centrifugal barrel finishing

PART 5: COLORING AND COATING

  • Dyeing
  • Painting and clear coating
  • Hydrographics
  • Wrapping
  • Metalizing polymer parts
  • Electroplating
  • Physical vapor deposition

PART 6: HEAT TREATMENT

  • Residual stress relief
  • Annealing
  • Case hardening
  • Gas nitriding
  • Precipitation hardening
  • Hot isostatic pressing
  • Sintering

PART 7: SUMMARY

Learn more about ASTM & AMCOE Global

ASTM unites with the Wohlers brand to build on its market influence and access to top AM industry decision-makers worldwide.

  • Establish standards, certification, and qualification for repeatable, consistent parts and processes
  • Prevent gaps and duplication of work in a dynamic, fast-paced technology space
  • Identify challenges that can be solved with technological improvement

Research and Development

Under the leadership of the R&D team, the AM CoE partners plan and conduct coordinated R&D projects, prioritized annually and targeted to expedite...

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Education and Workforce Development

Provide a comprehensive program that educates and trains the additive manufacturing workforce at all levels, while continually incorporating new advances...

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