Finishing Services

Vapor Polishing

At a glance

Applicable Materials

Colors

N/A

Applications

Enhanced cosmetic appearance, near optically clear applications

Texture

Smooth and glossy

About the Process

Vapor polishing is a manual process that uses a vaporized solvent to melt the surface of the material so that it flows and fills in microscopic scratches or voids. The surface is polished at a microscopic level and no material is lost in the process, similar to vapor smoothing for 3DP. 

This process results in a near optically clear surface finish and is commonly used in applications where high levels of transparency are required.

Design considerations

  • Parts with uniform wall thicknesses will generally smooth more evenly
  • Radiused corners generally produce better results than sharp corners

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN

Parts of a CNC Machine Explained

Producing complex parts with tight tolerances requires extensive experience, and even the best operators spend years fine-tuning their skills. CNC machines are the gold standard for high-quality and high-repeatability machining because they automate the machining process — computers and sensors control the machining operations. CNC machining is used in almost every industry due to the […]

Learn More

Top 10 Design tips for reducing CNC lead times

DESIGN TIPS FOR REDUCING CNC LEAD TIMES CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining is a manufacturing process that uses computer-controlled machines to create precision parts from raw materials. CNC machining is widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and many others where precision and quality are crucial.  And machining highly precise, high-quality components has […]

Learn More