In the world of appliance manufacturers, after-sales is the real test of innovation: low volumes, frequent variations, and tight deadlines. Here, 3D printing promises immediate availability of spare parts, but without a “first equipment” class surface, the part remains stuck in qualification
In recent years, 3dnextech has collaborated with several primary manufacturers based in Italy precisely on this front, focusing on ABS spare components (the most widely used polymer in the sector). The most significant evidence is clear: all 3D-printed components only passed acceptance tests after 3dfinisher treatment; prior to molecular finishing, they did not meet the required standards for aesthetics, surface homogeneity, and dimensional stability.
What changes with molecular finishing? It’s not a simple “polish”: the process compacts the layers and closes the microporosity, stabilizing the part’s behavior.
Sui campioni di ABS testati in collaborazione con partner e utilizzatori abbiamo rilevato valori medi nell’ordine di:
- +10-15% on the elastic modulus (greater stiffness and predictability);
- Gloss at 60° that increases by tens of times (production part appearance);
- Average roughness (Ra) reduced by approximately an order of magnitude.
Operability is also compatible with production: cycles around one and a half hours, setup of a few minutes, and controlled consumables; at full load, the treatment cost is in the order of a few tenths of a euro per piece on compact geometries. (Average data, consolidated across projects conducted with multiple partners and application contexts.)
The result is a shorter, more predictable spare parts supply chain: certified files, local production, and automatic, repeatable finishing. There is no need to reopen molds for minimum batches: production is on-demand, the aesthetic-functional standard is maintained, and stock and lead times are reduced.
The message for the sector is clear: 3D printing truly becomes “field ready” when finishing is part of the process. Integrating 3dfinisher into additive cells means transforming spare parts from an unpredictable cost into a scalable, measurable, and customer-proximate industrial service.