Part cleaning and postprocessing10
Once parts have been unpacked from the build in the processing station, they should be cleaned.
There are different processes that can be followed, depending on your needs. In general, you will need
equipment not provided by HP. The main process recommended by HP is a combination of bead blasting
(first) and air blasting (second).
● Bead blasting consists of applying compressed air mixed with an abrasive to the part in order to
r
emove the attached material. This is a generally appropriate solution; however, you may want to
select different abrasives or pressures for specific purposes.
● Air blasting consists of applying compressed air to the part in order to remove any material
r
emaining after bead blasting.
Depending on your specific needs, other postprocessing methods may be suitable for you.
The following options are available to improve surface finishing:
● Tumbling: The part is immersed in a vibro-tumbler full of abrasives, to smooth any surface
r
oughness.
● Hand sanding: The surfaces of the part are smoothed by abrasion with sandpaper.
The following options are available for color-related finishing:
● Bead blasting with other additives consists of applying compressed air mixed with an abrasive and
a color
ed additive to the part in order to achieve homogeneous surface color.
● Dyeing consists of immersing the part in a controlled dyeing bath. All details and cavities of the part
can be r
eached.
● Painting the part with spray can, spray gun, or brush. For specific color finishing, HP recommends
applying a primer be
fore painting the part. Repeat the process several times for optimal results.
Other industry-standard postprocessing methods may be used:
● Gluing, bonding, sealing
● Drilling, tapping
● Plating
● Coatings for wear resistance, conductivity, temperature resistance, strength, watertightness,
r
esistance to chemicals, gloss properties, UV protection, and so on
Contact your HP support representative to discuss solutions for your specific needs.
Consult your usual EHS specialist for advice on the appropriate measures for your location depending
on the post-processing method you use. Consult your local authorities to determine the correct manner
in which to dispose of wastes.
96 Chapter 10 Part cleaning and postprocessing
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