Surface technology & assembly

3D printing post-processing and finishing metals

Surface technology & finishings

3D printing post-processing metal

After 3D printing, metal components are usually reworked and refined to give them the required finish. The reason for this is their sandy, rough surface, which is typical of additive manufacturing processes and cannot be avoided even with the highest print resolution. The rough surface is usually irrelevant for concealed functional parts. However, for design and visible components as well as molded parts with high fluid or hygiene requirements, it is important that the surface has the required quality. This also applies to many series parts whose surface quality must be so good that they can be installed after delivery without any further processing steps.

Post-processing and finishing of 3D printed metal surfaces

Removal of support structures
Sandblasting
Refining and finishing
Hardening
Further processing and assembly

Production-ready finishing for 3D printed metal components

A great deal of experience, expertise and machinery tailored to the requirements are needed to produce high-quality 3D printed metal surfaces. With intensive development work, numerous qualification measures and targeted investments in technology, we achieve perfect surface qualities at series production level quickly, reliably and economically. Our customers also benefit from ready-to-install 3D printed metal parts.

Surface technology for 3D printing metal post-processing

Depending on the requirements, different processing and finishing steps may be necessary from the SLM blank to the production-ready component. We carry out most of these quickly and efficiently in-house in a perfectly coordinated process. If required, we also work together with long-standing partners.

"Perfect post-processing, refinement and finishing for 3D printed metal parts ready for series production."

Post-processing and finishing of 3D printed metal components

ASR support structure removal and sandblasting

In the case of difficult-to-access, internal support structures, we offer the high-quality service of automated support structure removal plus component smoothing from a single source. The metal parts are then sandblasted to complete the pre-treatment of the surface.

Surface technology and finishing

After pre-treatment, the surface finishing and refinement of the laser-sintered 3D printed metal parts begins. We offer our customers a wide range of mechanical and coating processes with which we can reliably achieve the desired surface finish and product quality.

Surface technology for 3D metal parts

Machining
Loops
Welding
Polishing
Eroding
Hardening
Short-term plasma nitriding
Galvanic nickel plating
Coating

Perfect appearance - hygienic surface

Whether visible components for automobiles or functional parts for the food industry: when design and cleanliness are important, metal components need a smooth and shiny surface. With our high-performance grinding and polishing systems, we produce ready-to-use components with high-quality surfaces that meet all requirements.

Resistant and robust

Depending on the intended use, the surface of 3D printed metal parts must also be hardened or specially protected. We do this with the surface techniques of eroding, hardening, nitriding in short-term plasma, galvanic nickel plating or coating.

Industries and areas of application Surface technology

Every industry has its own requirements. We refine 3D printed metal components for automotive manufacturers and suppliers, companies in the medical technology and mechanical engineering sectors as well as the consumer and food industries, among others. We offer a suitable finishing strategy for almost every requirement in order to perfect the look and feel of the parts and deliver ready-for-series, ready-to-install parts and components.

FKM is your high-end 3D printing service provider

for ready-to-install parts made of plastics, filled polymers or metal.

From materials consulting and design optimization to joint project co-engineering, we are our customers’ experts and partners for tricky tasks. With our complete after-print service consisting of testing technology with IATF certification and a range of surface technology with various finishing processes, we have been offering 3D printing services as a complete solution for almost 30 years – from a single source, with a lot of understanding.