smoothing the finish of 3D printed parts

[kornellred]

http://www.wired.com/design/2013/03/3d-print-smoothing/

I am typically late to the party, but the above link may have some relevance to those interested in 3D printing.

[Lemosteam]

Cool process and thanks for sharing!

Not buying the article's argument that dimensions are not being altered when you melt a surface the material goes somewhere.  It's probably fine for nebulus parts that are not required to have dimensional stabilty or accuracy.  Unfortunately loco frames and bolier shells don't fall into that category for most.  Would have to see some measured capability data.

[cv_acr]

Yeah, interesting, but not useful for finely detailed parts as it would melt all the fine detail. You wouldn't want to try this on a model railroad item.

[C855B]

I also suspect this only works with ABS extrusion output like Makerbot, as acetone is possibly not a solvent with commercial RPM materials.

[RAILCAT]

Interesting cheap way of smoothing the finish of 3D printed parts

http://www.wired.com/design/2013/03/3d-print-smoothing/

merged from another, related thread.  -gfh

[Denver Road Doug]

Yep.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=29036.0

I will give you credit for the better subject line though.   

[wazzou]

I doubt the effectiveness on fine scale models.  Crude figurines are one thing but an N Scale White Castle Restaurant is something different altogether.

[RAILCAT]

Sorry missed the earlier posting

[fredmoehrle]

3d printing was the cover article in Machine Design mag two weeks ago.
Three different processes, including one that has a water soluble component that it can lay between the ABS layers, so it can be washed out and leave openings.

www.Machinedesign.com

14FEb13 issue

[peteski]

None of the strong solvents (including Acetone, Methylene Chloride and MEK) I tried on ESM's rapid-prototyped White Tower building had any effect on the resin. I wish they did since that was my plan for smoothing the surface.   I mentioned this in another thread in the past (maybe the Shapeways thread).