The Vapor Smoothing process is a chemical surface smoothing method that improves the part performance, seals the surface, and offers a smooth / glossy look and feel. One of the popular applications for this finish is smoothing TPU nesting that will be holding parts with extremely delicate class A finish’s like Matte Black. The smoothing process prevents fine TPU powder from rubbing off the surface of the nesting and ending up on the surface of the part that is resting on it. This chemical smoothing process fully seals the TPU part and prevents this from happening:
We utilize both a proprietary inhouse process for TPU smoothing as well as traditional smoothing machines from AMT for other materials like Nylon 12:
Examples of Nylon, Nylon 12 40%GB, and TPU rubber parts that have been Vapor Smoothed:
Examples of ABS parts that have been Vapor Smoothed:
Here at Forerunner 3D printing we have developed a proprietary process that allows us to smooth Lubrizol EstaneĀ® 3D TPU M95A-545 OR UV Rubber material, we are one of only 2 companies in the world currently able to print parts in this material and also vapor smooth them inhouse.
Another option for a part that has been Vapor Smoothed is to combine it with another coating process like our Cerakote coating process. The following are examples of a vapor smoothed part that has had Cerakote applied to it:
Materials available from F3DP that are compatible with this finishing process:
Market Name | Material Composition & Details | Material Class | AM Technology |
PA 2200 | PA12 | Polyamide-12 | SLS |
PA 3200 GF | Glass Filled PA12 | Polyamide-12 | SLS |
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12 | PA12 | Polyamide-12 | MJF |
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12 Glass Beads | Glass Filled PA12 | Polyamide-12 | MJF |
HP 3D High Reusability PA 11 | PA11 | Polyamide-11 | MJF |
Lubrizol EstaneĀ® 3D TPU M95A-545 OR UV | M95A TPU Rubber | Polyether Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) | MJF |
ABS-ESD 7 | Electrostatic dissipative AB | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | FDM |
ABS M30 | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | FDM |
PC | Polycarbonate (PC) | Polycarbonate | FDM |
PC-ABS | Polycarbonate (PC)- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) | Polycarbonate- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | FDM |
NOTE: This smoothing process adds an extra 1-2 days to the lead time for the delivery of parts.
AMT STANDARDS & QUALIFICATIONS
TEST TYPE | INDUSTRY | TEST STANDARD | PRINT TECHNOLOGY | PRINT TECHNOLOGY | PASS / FAIL |
Skin Irritation | Medical | ISO 10993-10 (2013) | MJF | BASF Ultrasint TPU01 | Pass |
Skin Sensitivity | Medical | ISO 10993-10 (2013) | MJF | BASF Ultrasint TPU01 | Pass |
Hemolysis | Medical | ISO 10993-4 | MJF | PA11 | Pass |
Cytotoxicity | Medical / Dental | ISO 10993-5 (2009) | MJF | PA11 | Pass |
Skin Irritation | Medical | ISO 10993-10 (2013) | MJF | PA11 | Pass |
Flammability | Automotive | FMVSS 302 | MJF | PA12 | Pass |
Antibacterial Activity | Medical / Dental | ISO 22196 (2011) | MJF | PA12 | Pass |
Aquatic / Acute Toxicity | Medical | ISO 11348-3 | MJF | PA12 | Pass |
Cytotoxicity | Medical | ISO 10993-5 (2009) | MJF | PA12 | Pass |
Intradermal Reactivity (Irritation) | Medical | ISO 10993-10 (2013) | MJF | PA11 | Pass |
Skin Irritation | Medical | ISO 10993-10 (2013) | MJF | Lubrizol TPU | Pass |
Cytotoxicity | Medical | ISO 10993-5 (2009) | MJF | Lubrizol TPU | Pass |
Food Contact* | Industrial | DS/EN1186-01:2002, DS/EN1186-03:2002, DS/EN1186-14: | SLS | PA12 | Pass |
Skin Irritation | Medical | ISO 10993-10 (2013) | SLS | PA12 | Pass |
Cytotoxicity | Medical | ISO 10993-5 (2009) | SLS | PA12 | Pass |
Skin Sensitivity | Medical | ISO 10993-10 (2013) | SLS | PA12 | Pass |
Click here to download full AMT standards and qualifications sheet.
Have your own printers but need a source that can smooth your parts for you? We can help with that! We provide on demand vapor smoothing services for other companies as well. Our per run cost range from $275 – $375* and lead time is 2-3 days* for this service.
*Please note that these are rough budgetary estimates and are subject to change based on your part geometry, qty, and how busy we are with inhouse work.
You should sign up for our quarterly email newsletter! We send out a summary of all the latest testing videos, design guides, and anything else cool that has been added to the F3DP website 4 times a year.
We hate spam as much as you do so we only send all killer content and no filler BS!