Polishing

THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF POST-PROCESSING IN AM

THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF POST-PROCESSING IN AM

While AM has revolutionised part design, enabling complex geometries and rapid iteration, the raw outputs from even the most advanced AM technologies often still fall short of industry requirements. Parts often emerge from the build chamber with surface roughness, inconsistent mechanical properties, and residual powder or support structures that must be removed or refined before parts can be put to use. While AM enables direct part production, many industries require additional finishing steps to meet specific functional and aesthetic standards. The misconception that AM produces a final-use product in a single step has hindered its adoption, as companies often underestimate the necessity of thorough post-processing techniques to bring parts up to industry standards.