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Questions tagged [post-processing]

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Use this tag for questions about post processing, i.e. additional methods and processes after a print has been completed.

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32 views

What alternatives are there to sanding resin parts with fine details?

I have some transparent resin parts printed with a polyjet printer. Where the support contacted the part it has a matte finish. The recommended finishing technique for these parts is to sand them with ...
2
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2answers
78 views

Anyone tried Varathane water-based Wood Stain on Hatchbox Wood PLA?

I printed parts for a Harry Potter wand with HatchBox Wood PLA, now I want to apply stain. I intended to try MinWax PolyShades wood stain, then noticed Varathane water-based wood stain is available at ...
2
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2answers
53 views

Unbonding Hot Glue

I made a print that involves joining two halves together to create the full model. I decided to use hot glue to bond the halves and on one model, the parts came together slightly skewed. Is there any ...
1
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1answer
135 views

Can I use Araldite to stick PLA to metal frame?

I have a PLA base, that the MOSFETs are sitting on. I don't want to drill through the base of the printer, I was thinking of using Araldite to stick the PLA base to the metal frame. The PLA base will ...
1
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1answer
48 views

Sealing PLA & oil-based art supplies?

I will be printing an item that's usually made out of resin, but my version will be made out of PLA. Here are some questions I have: Usually, people seal the resin with brands such as Testor's, ...
5
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1answer
255 views

Sandable primer suitable for PLA?

What kind of primer should I be using for my PLA prints? I want to be able to sand the object after applying the primer for a smooth finish before painting. Would something like this work? https://...
2
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1answer
403 views

How to remove exess filament from bed after removing model

Recently got an Anycubic I3 Mega Printer and I've been playing with what it can do, but after a model is done it leaves residue on the build plate behind that is bugging me. Do I NEED to remove it? If ...
2
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1answer
162 views

How could I print a large sphere-like object?

I have a STL file with a rather large roughly-spherical object. I'd like to 3D print it to be fairly large, and hollow inside. Since the printer I'd be using has a max size of (18–20 cm)^3, I'd have ...
1
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2answers
141 views

Silicone spray as a release agent?

I've just printed my very first part and it did not want to come loose from the build plate, it fact, it just broke instead. I can heat the bed up again and work it off, but I wondered if a release ...
1
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1answer
286 views

How to attach a metal bearing to a print [closed]

I have a bunch of ball bearings (608 2RS) that I'm planning on using in a project with printed parts. But I'm not sure how to attach and secure them properly. How is this done usually?
1
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1answer
62 views

How to paint ABS to look like wood [closed]

I have a piece printed in white ABS, which is a half-scale replica of an unvarnished oak sculpture. After sanding off the worst of the layer lines, I'd like to paint it to get a nice wood finish. I ...
10
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5answers
214 views

Secure disposal of 3D prints

The company I work for is protective of IP and has security procedures for disposing of anything that could be stolen for industrial espionage. Paper gets shredded and sent to trusted recycling ...
11
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2answers
11k views

What glues for PLA?

I will be creating a small tube styled piece to use as a junction between two pieces of plastic. The idea is to reattach the two pieces and provide strength so they don't break apart again. I plan on ...
4
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5answers
225 views

How can you both reliably print and remove your item, without breaking it when detaching it?

I have had problems with items sticking on the build plate, especially when they were big (as they didn't stick well, they corners warped -> all kind of problems). I also wanted to upgrade my printer ...
5
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2answers
320 views

PLA coating for water irrigation 3D printed parts

I was considering printing some pieces for my irrigation system, like tube connectors and such. I am aware that PLA is hydrophilic so I was wondering with what kind of product I could coat the pieces, ...
5
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4answers
362 views

Glue for attaching PLA pieces to titanium

I'd like to attach a piece I printed out of PLA to a small titanium rod. I've previously used Superglue (cyanoacrylate) to glue PLA pieces to each other with great success, but the problem is that if ...
2
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5answers
115 views

Tips for printing and being able to get of base easily

I'm very new to 3D printing and I've had numerous failed prints. Sometimes, the print is good but while trying to get it off the base I end up bending or breaking the print. My question is: How to I ...
4
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2answers
113 views

Cement or another solid pore filler suitable for ABS?

I want to paint my ABS parts. But I foresee a problem that will arise from 0.16mm layer - those layers will be perfectly visible, even with primer. Sanding them wouldn't be a good idea, because walls ...
4
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3answers
1k views

How should I go about printing easily removable rafts?

I have had a 3d printer for a while now, and I have a lot of the quality settings dialed in pretty well, but one thing that constantly bugs me is removing the raft from my finished prints. I am using ...
1
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1answer
510 views

Which 3D printer should I use to make custom miniatures for a tabletop game?

I would also be curious on how I could get the best results with these printers. I am in a situation where I have cheap access to a: Fortus 250mc, which prints in ABS and has a minimum resolution of ...
5
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1answer
1k views

How do I give 3D-printed parts in ABS a shiny smooth finish?

The surfaces of my printed parts using ABS plastic look rough and uneven. What methods can I use to achieve a smoother finish for my for 3D-printed objects?
1
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4answers
565 views

Is it possible to 3D print sharp objects with high details? And how?

I mean 3D forms like these? In a small scale (height: 1-2 cm, width: 0.5 cm). I want to keep all the form's details. If it is possible, what printer do you advise? How much does it cost to print one ...
1
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1answer
219 views

FDM, ABS Post-processing methods

I have built a few parts that have printed 'pins' on them (2mm diameter 1.5 cm length). Due to the orientation that the build requires the pins have to have support material on them. (The part has to ...
3
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2answers
398 views

Post processing FDM for strength

I'm looking for a post processing method for increasing the functional strength of a 3d printed part originally made by FDM. I've tried printing my part with solid infill but the layer separation is ...
5
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2answers
1k views

Is Tetrahydrofuran viable for dissolving PLA and sticking PLA objects together?

According to Wikipedia, Tetrahydrofuran dissolves PLA. It also apparently dissolves PET. THF is considered a relatively nontoxic solvent, with the median lethal dose (LD50) comparable to that for ...
2
votes
1answer
418 views

What kind of colors should I use to paint my PLA prints?

I'd like to paint my prints, which I printed using white PLA, with some colors. I have no idea what type of paint should stick to PLA well. I need paint that will not be soluble in water and will ...
9
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5answers
751 views

The work is now sticking too well to the bed - what to do?

I'm a beginner. I've a Printrbot Play with a heated bed add-on. I'm using it exclusively with PLA. It worked great initially, but then I took the nozzle out and put it back in, and the Z calibration ...
5
votes
1answer
584 views

Bonding PETG to glass

I'm thinking of trying my hand at fabricating microfluidic devices. I'll be using a filament based on PETG (Zortrax's Z-glass filament, which is translucent and resistant to acids and bases). For my ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views

How to remove a PLA print stuck to a BuildTak sheet

BuildTak is great because the printed plastic really sticks to it, it pretty much solved all the problems I had with prints detaching from the buildplate during printing. However, it does sometimes ...
5
votes
1answer
272 views

Stone-look surface via painting?

Has anyone tried painting a PLA (or other) print with stone-look spray paints? In particular, how does the result look compared to printing with stone-fill filaments? It looks a lot cheaper, but will ...
14
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5answers
4k views

How to remove white marks from PLA

When you cut or break a PLA model (for example to remove support) it often leaves an ugly while mark where the removed piece was connected. Sanding also tend to leave dull white scratches on the ...
9
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2answers
2k views

Practical concerns smoothing PLA print with chloroform vapours

One way to give PLA prints a smooth finish is treatment with chloroform vapours (or other solvents, as mentioned in this answer). This method is even featured on Ultimaker website. I would like to try ...
2
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2answers
894 views

Methods for smoothing 3D objects [closed]

How do I smooth 3D printed objects? What is the best / common method to do this?
16
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5answers
8k views

Drilling 3D-printed plastic

I need to do some post processing of my 3D-printed models that includes adding some holes. For each of PLA, ABS, PETG and other 3D-printing materials: In what ways is drilling a hole in a model made ...
7
votes
1answer
238 views

Maintaining fine details while applying smoothing methods

I've been reading and experimenting with Acetone vapour smoothing on some printed ABS parts. My problem is that I need to selectively smoothen the printed parts which vapor smoothing doesn't allow. In ...
5
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2answers
2k views

How to smooth the surface of parts printed with Co-polyester (PET) filament

Are there any techniques for getting a smooth finish for parts printed with co-polyester (PET) filaments? More specifically, I am looking for an alternative that does not roughen the look of the part -...
17
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7answers
2k views

What can I use to “sand” my ABS prints?

I have a 3d printer that uses ABS filament. The software I use will generate vertical supports for my objects before printing that can be easily broken off after they have been used during print to ...
6
votes
3answers
6k views

What is the best way to connect 3D printed parts? [closed]

I want to print a model of an animal cell. What I have so far: I managed to use different colors to print out the different parts of the cell. My question is: what is the best way to connect plastic ...
12
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4answers
1k views

How to easily get rid of rafts and support structures?

My printed parts consist rafts, supports and other extraneous filament when printing with ABS or PLA. What are efficient general techniques of removing them?
20
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3answers
4k views

Are there any ways to make a 3D print transparent?

I am aware of several "clear" filaments for a ABS or PLA printer. They, however, have a cloudy or frosted glass appearance. I do not believe this is possible to eliminate but I believe it can be ...
45
votes
9answers
67k views

How do I give 3D-printed parts in PLA a shiny smooth finish?

The surfaces of my printed parts using PLA plastic look rough and uneven. Would changing filament to a better one make any difference? If not, what kind of methods can I use to achieve a smoother ...