Before

After

Objective
To polish the interior face of a 3D-printed 17-4 stainless steel crimping die (PIPC34L) to a surface finish of Ra 125 µin or better. All visible layer lines needed to be removed in a cost-effective, production-viable process.
| Part Description | 3D Printed P Die (PIPC34L) Metal Binder Jet Crimping Dies |
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| 3D Printing Technology | Binder Jet |
| Material | 17-4 Stainless Steel, H900 Heat Treated |
| Process Type | Smooth & Polish Surface |
| Equipment Type | Disc Finisher, Vibratory Bowl, Vapor Blasting Cabinet |
Solution
Bel Air Finishing developed a multi-stage solution to remove layer lines and polish the interior face of a binder jet–printed 17-4 stainless steel crimping die. The die, which was H900 heat treated, was first processed using a Centrifugal Disc Finisher to aggressively reduce surface roughness. It was then treated in an Industrial 3D Print Smoother to reach internal features and refine the finish to meet the Ra 125 µin requirement. The result was a clean, functional surface across all critical contact areas, suitable for production use in a high-precision crimping application.
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.
To explore various achievable finishes, you can also request a comparative keychain sample showcasing a range of surface textures and polish levels.