3D printing post processing is essential to transform metal 3D-printed parts into high-performance, durable components. Using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Dlyte electropolishing, manufacturers achieve high-precision, mirror-like surfaces — even on complex geometries.
Learn more about achieving flawless finishes in the following.
Key Points in Brief:
- What it is: Post processing transforms metal 3D-printed parts into finished, high-strength, precise components.
- Typical steps: Heat treatment, support removal, and polishing/electropolishing.
- Materials: Titanium, CoCr, and stainless steel are commonly used for high-strength, durable metal parts.
- Applications & Machines: DLyte Desktop Pro and D1 are essential 3D printing post processing tools for dental, medical, jewelry, and small-batch components.
Metal 3D Printing Post Processing
After metal parts are 3D-printed via SLM, metal 3D printing post processing begins. This stage ensures each component reaches mechanical strength, dimensional accuracy, and high-quality surfaces.
This process includes:
- heat treatment,
- build platform removal,
- support cleanup,
- and polishing to achieve smooth, durable finishes
Typical SLM Post Processing Steps
Heat Treatment
Heat treatment strengthens 3D-printed parts by reducing internal stresses from the printing process, improving durability, mechanical performance, and structural reliability.
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- Heat treatment to relieve internal residual stresses in the component.
Removing the Part & Supports Removal
After heat treatment (or annealing), the part is carefully removed from the build platform e.g. with a bandsaw, and all supports are taken off.
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- Removing the part with a bandsaw
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- Supports Removal
+ Preparing for Polishing
Before a 3D-printed part is polished, it is important to remove all remaining support structures and ensure the part is fully cleaned.
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- Milling and clean up of 3D printed part as preparation for polishing.
Polishing
After the part has been removed from the build platform and all supports taken off, the next step is polishing to give it a smooth, high-quality surface.
Post Processing 3D Prints - Polished with Dlyte Desktop Pro
3D Metal Printing Surface Finish
DLyte provides a dry electropolishing process for precise, uniform polishing of metal 3D-printed parts. This method smooths only the raised areas, preserving edges and internal geometries, and ensures a high-quality 3D metal printing surface finish.
Benefits:
- Mirror-like, corrosion-resistant surfaces
- Improved fatigue strength
- No dimensional changes
Learn more in the video and text below.
Learn More
Tiny, active particles in a specially designed electrolyte smooth only the raised areas of the surface, leaving edges, corners, and overall shapes untouched. Even tight spaces and internal corners are polished effortlessly.
This process delivers mirror-like, durable, and corrosion-resistant finishes, making it perfect for complex parts in aerospace, dentistry, medical, luxury, and laboratory applications.
Dlyte Electropolishing Machines
DLyte electropolishing machines provide precise and efficient finishing for metal 3D-printed parts in dental, medical, jewelry, research, and small-batch production.
DLyte Desktop Pro
Compact system for labs and workshops, achieving precise, durable 3D metal printing surface finishes on CoCr, titanium, and stainless steel.
Key Features
– Ultra-compact & easy to install
– Smooths & polishes surfaces to perfection
– Achieves bright, mirror-like finishes
– Removes burrs & rounds sharp edges
– Improves corrosion resistance
– Works with CoCr, & stainless steel among others
DLyte D1
Small-batch system providing consistent, high-precision finishing across steel, CoCr, copper, and nickel alloys.
Key Features
– Space-saving design
– Precision surface smoothing
– Mirror-like, polished results
– Removes burrs & rounds edges
– Enhances corrosion resistance
– For steel, CoCr, copper, & nickel alloys
Conclusion – Metal 3D Printing Post Processing
3D printing post processing transforms printed parts into high-performance metal components. Heat treatment, support removal, and polishing ensure strength, precision, and flawless surfaces.
With Dlyte dry electropolishing technology and machines such as the Desktop Pro and D1 , , manufacturers achieve durable, mirror-like finishes, even on complex geometries.
Explore 2onelab`s Dental Digital Workflow to see how 3D printing post processing tools produce precise, durable, high-quality metal parts.
FAQ: Metal 3D Printing Post Processing
How Is 3D Printing Post Processing Performed?
Metal 3D printing post processing is the set of steps applied to metal parts after printing to achieve final strength, accuracy, and surface quality. This typically includes heat treatment, support removal, and polishing, ensuring smooth, durable, and precise surfaces.
How Does Post Processing Improve Mechanical Properties?
Post processing reduces internal stresses, removes supports, and polishes the part. Heat treatment strengthens the component, while polishing ensures smooth, precise, and durable surfaces.
What Is Dlyte Dry Electropolishing?
Dlyte Dry Electropolishing is a precise process that smooths raised areas of metal parts to create durable, mirror-like 3D metal printing surface finishes without changing dimensions.
What Advantages Do Dlyte Electropolishing Machines Offer?
Dlyte electropolishing machines, Desktop Pro and D1, deliver consistent, high-precision finishing, improving fatigue and corrosion resistance across metals like CoCr, titanium, stainless steel, copper, and nickel — ideal for dental, medical, jewelry, research, and small-batch production.
Which 3D Printing Post Processing Tools Are Used in the 2onelab Dental Digital Workflow?
2onelab Dental Digital Workflow includesincludes following 3D printing post processing tools: heat treatment furnaces, DLyte polishing machines (Desktop Pro and D1) for smooth, mirror-like surfaces, and powder handling systems 2Sieve and 2Clean, ensuring precise, durable, and mirror-like metal parts.
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Author: Markus Wolf
Passionate about 3D printing, while being
CTO and Co-Founder of 2onelab.
