Before
After
Objective
To evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of different surface finishing methods for binder jet–printed 17-4PH stainless steel parts. Each part was processed using the method deemed most appropriate to highlight the range of achievable surface improvements for sample components produced on Desktop Metal’s binder jet system.
| Part Description | Various Metal Parts |
| Industry | 3D Print Post-Processing – Metal |
| 3D Printing Technology | Binder Jet |
| Material | 17-4PH Stainless |
| Process Type | Smooth/De-Powder, Evaluation of Different Process Methods |
| Equipment Type | Industrial 3D Print Smoother, Multiple Technologies |
Solution
Bel Air processed binder jet–printed 17-4PH stainless steel components using its Industrial 3D Print Smoother, a wet blasting system designed for post-processing metal additive parts. The slurry blasting method gently removed powder residue and smoothed surface roughness while preserving the underlying lattice pattern and part geometry. This approach produced visibly cleaner, more defined surfaces with minimal dimensional impact—making it the primary finishing method for this sample set. Additional surface technologies may be applied as needed to demonstrate other degrees of refinement across similar binder jet applications.
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.