FREE VIBRO POLISHING SERVICE

This service is ideal for smoothing the surface of SLS and MJF 3D Printed parts.

 
 

Vibro Polishing is a finishing process that smooths the surface of 3D printed components by compacting the top surface. To order 3D printed parts with a vibro polish finish, upload your 3D files through our instant quote portal, choose MJF or SLS technology with PA12 Nylon material and select Vibro-Polishing finish.

drag the sliders to Compare finishes

Natural White vs Vibro Polished (SLS)

Vibro-polishing Natural White SLS parts removes the grainy surface texture resulting in a smoother finish that is soft to the touch. The polished surface finish is comparable to an injection moulded part.

Black Dye vs Dyed & Polished (SLS)

Polished white SLS parts can be dyed black. The finish is more scratch resistant then un-polished black however the colouring can appear slightly mottled.

Natural Grey vs Vibro Polished (MJF)

Vibro-polishing Natural Grey MJF parts removes the grainy surface texture, resulting in a soft finish to the touch. The polished grey finish is visually uneven but produces an excellent surface for painting.

Black Dye vs Dyed & Polished (MJF)

Satin Black Vibro Polish MJF parts are entirely black and have a smooth surface finish. These parts benefit from improved properties, including dirt and scratch resistance.

Vibro polishing + colour dye

WHY USE VIBRATORY POLISHING?

Vibro polishing is ideal for powder bed 3D printed parts that require a smooth surface finish. As printed, SLS and MJF components have a slightly grainy surface. The polished finish is more dirt-resistant and feels closer to an injection moulded part. This makes Vibro polishing attractive for end-use components

PROS


✅ Smooth surface finish

✅ Increased dirt resistance

✅ Appear less like 3D Printed parts

✅ Less time for painting

✅ Complimentary Service

CONS


👎 Extra lead time required

👎 Not suitable for delicate features

👎 Can’t smooth small indented surface details

👎 Softens sharp edges and corners

👎 Reduces parts external dimensions

VIBRO POLISHING GUIDELINES:

Use this guide to check your parts are suitable for vibro polishing. The information below is a guide based on our experience, your results may vary.

 
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Part Size
Part Size

Parts exceeding or falling below the specified limits are incompatible with our equipment and cannot be produced effectively.

MINIMUM 16cm³

MAXIMUM 200 x 180 x 180 mm

Engraved Details
Engraved Details

Imprinted or recessed features must be at least 0.4mm in width and depth for clarity. Those narrower than ~5mm won't be polished, as the polishing media cannot reach inside.

MINIMUM Depth 0.4mm

Edge Thickness
Edge Thickness

To prevent damage during manufacturing, avoid designs with edges that taper to zero thickness. Thin edges are prone to damage; it's recommended to blunt these tapered edges to a minimum thickness of 1.5mm.

MINIMUM 1.5mm

Wall Thickness
Wall Thickness

Wall thicknesses below 1.5mm may break in the polishing process. Thick walls may be hollowed out to avoid deformation during manufacturing, leaving the internal spaces full of unsintered PA12 Nylon powder.

MINIMUM 1.5 mm

vibro polishing parts:

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Rounded Edges

Vibro polishing softens the edges of SLS or MJF prints. Dependant on the geometry of the part, a sharp edge will be rounded off with a radius of approximately 0.2 mm

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Outer Dimensions

Vibro polishing compacts the surfaces of the parts which slightly reduces the outer dimensions. The dimensions are usually reduced by approximately 0.1 mm.

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Smooth Surface

Vibratory polishing smooths the surface of SLS or MJF parts, reducing surface roughness. This gives the parts a quality feel and improves dirt resistance.

 FAQ:

+ How Do I Order the Vibro-Polishing Service?

To order your 3D printed parts with a vibro-polish finish, simply upload your 3D files through our Online Quote Tool. From there, choose either PA12 Nylon (SLS) or PA12 Nylon (MJF) material and select a finish with vibro-polishing.

+ What Materials are Suitable for a Vibro-Polish Finish?

We offer our vibro-polishing service for both PA12 Nylon (SLS) and PA12 Nylon (MJF) materials. The vibro-polish finish can be used in conjunction with other finishes, such as Satin Black Dye.

+ How Much Does the Vibratory Polishing Service Cost?

Our vibro-polishing service is free of charge. We believe in the quality of our work, and we think our parts look even better with a vibro-polished finish.

+ What's the Lead Time for the Vibro-Polishing Service?

Vibro-polishing 3D printed parts adds one working day to the production time of your order. For high-quantity batch production runs, more lead time may be required.

+ Does Vibro-Polishing Give a High-Gloss Finish?

Our vibro-polishing process will not yield a high-gloss finish but will produce a smooth, satin-like finish that enhances the appearance of your PA12 Nylon 3D printed parts. Vibro-polishing does not make 3D prints with a shiny surface finish.

+ Is There a Maximum Part Size for Vibro-Polishing?

Yes, the maximum part size that we can polish is 180 x 120 x 120 mm. Parts larger than this cannot be polished as they won't fit in our vibratory polisher.

+ How Can I Check If My Parts Will Be Damaged in the Polisher?

There's no set way to determine if your parts will be damaged, as it depends on various geometries. Features that commonly cause problems include:

  • Thin or sharp points
  • Thin edges
  • Thin mesh structures
  • Delicate details, such as parts held together by a small contact area

We use our experience to determine if your parts are suitable for polishing. If we believe they are likely to be damaged, we won't proceed with the polishing.

+ Can I Polish Just One Surface of My Model, Leaving Other Surfaces Unpolished?

No, the polishing process involves placing the parts into a machine where they are surrounded by polishing media, affecting all surfaces. It's not possible to mask off specific areas.