Surface World March 2019 SW_March_2019_LR | Page 21
work on it, as shown in Figure 4, where the
effect of polishing a 3D printed product can
be seen.
Fig. 3: Selective Laser Melted silver ring
However, the major issue with 3D printing
as a substitute for electroforming is with the
surface finish; the surface finish is related to
the assembly platform step iteration and the
particle size of the powder being used. If a
very smooth surface is required, 3D printed
components will inevitably require further
Fig 4: As manufactured and after polishing
The possible need to polish a 3D printed
component puts it at a distinct disadvantage
against an electroformed product. Other
advantages of electroforming include its
established base knowledge, the large range
of engineering metals that can be used and
the relatively low costs of manufacturing both
prototypes and high volumes.
At present 3D printing is usually limited to
small batches or prototyping of small
components; this is because it does not scale
up very well due to the costs of the
equipment and possibly the limited range of
suitable materials. However, that is not to say
that in the future it will become commercially
viable to manufacture large and high volume
components. After all, who, in the 1870’s,
would have thought that the internal
combustion engine would have put most
blacksmiths out of business?
Trevor Crichton
Science Committee Chairman
Membership Education &
Training
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