Process: SLS

Class 1 - Standard

The part is removed from the machine and cleaned of all excess powder using light brushes and compressed air. The part will appear to have a light texture on the surface.

1. Remove excess powder
2. Sand blast

Process: DMLS

Class 1 - Standard

Upon build completion, parts still attached to the build tray are placed into an oven where they will endure a one-hour stress relieve. Parts are then removed from the build tray, and the remaining support structure is removed from the part. The temperature at which part is stress relieved and the duration the part is stress relieved depends on the material used to make the part.

The part is then finished with hand tools, grinders, polishing wheels and tools to remove support structure to bring the surface quality to a 180 – 320 RMA or better depending on the level of finish requested. A final bead blast or shot peene is also done.

Process: SLS

Class 2 - Engineering Review

The part is cleaned of all excess powders using light brushes and compressed air along with medium grit sanding pads. Any semi-cured material is removed and sanded with progressively finer grit sandpaper

1. Remove excess powder
2. Sand blast
3. Light Sand with 220 – 320 grit

Process: DMLS 

Class 2 - Engineering Review

Upon build completion, parts still attached to the build tray are placed into an oven where they will endure a one-hour stress relieve. Parts are then removed from the build tray, and the remaining support structure is removed from the part. The temperature at which the part is stress relieved and the duration the part is stress relieved depends on the material used to make the part.

Part is then finished with hand tools, grinders, and polishing wheels and tools to remove support structure and bring surface quality to a 180 – 320 RMA or better depending on the surface. A final bead blast or shot peene is also done.

If polishing is required, the finish level falls into this category. A drawing will be needed to display the polished locations. A manual quote also needs to be done for this grade of finish.

Process: SLS

Class 3 - Presentation

This finish is applied to models that need to have a show-quality look. After the parts are removed from the machine, the excess powder is removed. The surface is then sandblasted to create a smoother finish before parts are then sanded meticulously to create a professional and uniform show quality surface.

1. Remove supports & excess powder
2. Sand blast
3. Sand with 220 to 320 to smooth surface
4. Primer and or paint

Process: DMLS

Class 3 - Production Quality

Same as Classes 1 and 2 in addition to meeting all the criteria on the drawing which is required. A manual quote also needs to be done for this grade of finish.

Other post process services to achieve finish levels include: slurry honing, hole popping, electropolishing, multiple axis EDM, and more.

Process: SLS

A primer finish will require that all the build lines on a part be sanded off. The part complexity and geometry will dictate the cost of this step. Typically only the outer facing surfaces will be finished to this Class unless otherwise specified. The procedure for Primed finish is as follows:

1. Remove supports
2. Sand with 220 to 320 until all build lines are removed
3. Lightly coat with primer then sand with 320 to 600 until the primer is removed and all surface imperfections have been filled.
4. Apply 2 – 3 coats of primer on the part and wet sand with 600 in between coats to create a uniform surface

Note: Painting does at a thickness of up to .005” too the parts and design considerations should be made.

Process: SLS

All Plastic SLS materials can be coated with a sealant or an EMI Shield which allows the parts to be used in a production environment. Before the parts can be coated they must be sanded and primed. Because every project is different please consult with your project manager with your requirements and they will be able to help you utilize our capabilities to achieve the desired end product. Some Coatings that are available are:

• EMI/RFI Shielding with Electroplate
• Anti-Static Coating
• Conductive Paint