Stratasys FDM 2000 - Page 56

ReferenceA-8
Applications Manual
10MAY01
Finishing Touches Chemical Finishing and Polishing
If you are not painting the part, finish the model as follows:
1) Remove any supports using a needle-nose pliers and dental picks.
2) File or sand the part to a clean finish.
3) Fill void areas with a compound mixture of acetone and ABS.
The following is an example of a reported general procedure for ICW05:
1) Remove any supports using a needle-nose pliers and dental picks.
2) Remove any surface irregularities with an appropriate abrasive (sandpaper,
a file, etc.)
3) Apply heptane with a soft cloth or cotton swab, rubbing until the surface of
the model takes on a creamy appearance.
4) Set the model aside to dry.
5) Apply acetone with a soft cloth, wiping until the surface begins to shine.
6) Continue applying acetone until appearance of the model clears.
For ABS, a typical procedure might be as follows:
1) Remove any supports using a needle-nose pliers and dental picks.
2) File or sand the part to a clean finish.
3) Fill in the void areas with a mixture of glazing compound and Bondo or
epoxy.
4) Allow the bondo to dry.
5) Coat the part with primer.
6) Spray paint the part if a color other than the primer is desired.
ABS can be melted with acetone. It is possible to create a glue-like material
by mixing acetone with ABS. The new compound can then be used to fill in
void areas.