Before
After
Objective
A medical device manufacturer in the Memphis, TN region tasked Bel Air with developing a process to smooth and polish 3D-printed Ti64 titanium medical extenders, achieving a uniform, machined surface finish while maintaining part geometry and functional features.
| Part Description | Ti64 Titanium Medical Extender |
| Industry | 3D Post-Processing – Metal (Primary), Medical (Secondary) |
| 3D Printing Technology | Binder Jet, DMLS/SLM |
| Material | Titanium |
| Process Type | Smooth & Polish Surface |
| Equipment Type | Industrial 3D Print Smoother, Centrifugal Barrel Finisher / Harperizer |
Solution
Bel Air developed a finishing process using the Industrial 3D Print Smoother to improve the surface finish of 3D-printed Ti64 titanium medical extenders.
As printed, the parts showed a rough surface typical of additive manufacturing. Heavy bead blasting improved the finish but did not achieve a consistent, machined appearance. A controlled finishing step further refined the surface and reduced roughness while maintaining part geometry and critical features.
The Industrial 3D Print Smoother uses a wet blasting process to clean and smooth surfaces in a single operation, providing uniform surface refinement across both external features and internal channels. This approach improves surface consistency without aggressive material removal.
Bel Air also evaluated the Mini Hoppa Harperizer as an alternative finishing option. This centrifugal barrel finishing system provides more aggressive surface refinement and is well-suited for applications requiring additional smoothing or higher levels of polish.
The result is a repeatable, production-ready process that produces a uniform, machined-like surface finish while preserving dimensional integrity and reducing manual finishing.
If you are unsure what equipment and media you require to achieve your desired surface finish, then send us your part, and we will evaluate it and provide you with a metrology report.