AMT PostPro3D
Achieve a high-quality surface finish on 3D-printed parts that matches the smoothness of injection molding with AMT PostPro3D and Fathom.
Add Value to Your 3D Printed Parts with Vapor Smoothing
Often, 3D-printed parts are not end-use ready when they come off the printer. They have a rough and porous surface that requires post-processing to make them end-use-ready. Vapor smoothing turns 3D-printed parts into smoother, more functional, finished components.
Fathom uses AMT’s PostPro3D technology, a smart and automated post-processing solution for vapor smoothing thermoplastic polymer 3D printed parts. It eliminates the need for time-consuming sanding and other surface-smoothing processes, along with reducing lead time, cost of manufacturing, operational and maintenance costs, and enables cost-effective high-volume production of finished, 3D-printed parts. It provides the “missing piece” in the digital manufacturing chain.
Real Customers.
Real Results.
“The AMT PostPro3D finishing worked great for my application—smoothed the surface so the mating parts slid nicely together. Thanks for suggesting it.” – Mike, Principal Engineer, Global Telecom Supply Company
Advantages of Using
AMT PostPro3D’s Vapor Smoothing
Surface Enhancements
- Removes surface porosity to improve mechanical performance
- Enhances surface aesthetics with a smooth surface and vibrant color
- Easier to dye and coat sealed surfaces
- Easier to certify sealed surfaces for skin and food contact
- Reduces bacterial growth
- Maintains dimensional accuracy without marks from fixtures
- Eliminates the need to manually sand 3D-printed parts
Process Enhancements
- Enables shorter cycle times
- Maintains perfect consistency from batch to batch
- Processes a high density of parts in a large chamber (16 in. x 24 in. x 15.7 in.)
- Complies with all industrial health and safety standards
Materials That Benefit
from Vapor Smoothing
AMT’s PostPro3D post-processing works with powder and extrusion-based technologies. It has been tested on over 80 thermoplastic polymers.
Elastomers // TPEs, TPUs, PEBAs, SBCs
- Surface roughness reduction of over 1,000%
- Processing provides parts with improved shore hardness, elongation-at-break and tear resistance
- Uniform sealed surfaces
- Shrinkage reaches a maximum of 1%
Rigid Plastics // PA6, PA11, PA12, ABS, PC Arkema Rilsan® Polyamide 11
- Surface roughness reduction of over 800%
- Processing provides parts with improved ultimate tensile strength, yield stress and elongation-at-break
- Quality sealed surface
- Increased functionality
Performance & Composites // Carbon-Filled, Glass-Filled, Flame-Retardant, Nanocomposites
- Increased durability
- Processing provides parts with improved elongation-at-break and tensile strength
Talk to one of our expert engineers to determine if the AMT PostPro3D post-processing service is a good fit for your needs.
Compatible 3D Printing Services
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) have become popular with designers and engineers. These 3D printing technologies, available from Fathom’s 3D printing service, enable higher productivity, lower cost per part and excellent design flexibility. With the addition of the AMT PostPro3D post-processing service, you can achieve surface quality similar to injection-molded parts without the costs of tooling or longer lead times.
These three additive technologies are compatible with the AMT PostPro3D post-processing service:
SLS
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a commonly used powder-based additive technology used to build models, prototypes and end-use parts from durable, engineering-grade thermoplastics. Consider SLS technology for applications that involve complex and organic geometries, as well as parts that require excellent durability. SLS can nest parts in the Z direction, which allows for faster part production and efficient builds. This technology is also capable of producing parts with finer details than most other processes that use high-strength plastics.
FDM
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is ideal for building concept models, functional prototypes and end-use parts using standard, engineering-grade and high-performance thermoplastics. FDM is a filament-based additive technology that is distributed by a moving print head. It extrudes heated material, layer-by-layer, onto a build platform. FDM is the best choice for jigs and fixtures, molds, tooling and other functional parts that require ruggedness and durability.
MJF
Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is ideal for enclosures, electronics housings, complex ducts, lattice structures and other applications that require excellent durability. It’s also capable of 3D printing parts with intricate details. MJF builds parts by laying down a thin layer of powder on a print bed over and over. The inkjet array in the print carriage sweeps over the print bed, jetting two agents downward—a fusing agent and a detailing agent. The fusing agent is used to fuse the powder and the detailing agent is used to reduce fusing at the part boundary to achieve greater detail.
Parts produced using MJF don’t require support structures, enabling the affordable production of complex geometries and multiple parts within a single build envelope.
Talk to an Expert
It’s time to stop compromising. Why not get your parts finished the way you want? Our craftspeople are ready to meet your post-processing needs.
