Sign in Get Instant Quote

Finishing Services

Vapor Polishing

At a glance

Applicable Materials

CNC Polycarbonate (Clear, Black)

Colors

N/A

Applications

Enhanced cosmetic appearance, near optically clear applications

Texture

Smooth and glossy

About the Process

Vapor polishing is a manual process that uses a vaporized solvent to melt the surface of the material so that it flows and fills in microscopic scratches or voids. The surface is polished at a microscopic level and no material is lost in the process, similar to vapor smoothing for 3DP. 

This process results in a near optically clear surface finish and is commonly used in applications where high levels of transparency are required.

Design considerations

  • Parts with uniform wall thicknesses will generally smooth more evenly
  • Radiused corners generally produce better results than sharp corners

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN

Precision Grinding: Processes, Tolerances, and When To Use It

Most engineers have a solid feel for what CNC machining can do. But far fewer have a clear picture of what to do when conventional CNC process capabilities are exceeded by the need for tighter tolerances, finer surface finishes, or hardened work material that quickly wears through machine tools. When that happens, manufacturing engineers move […]

Learn More

CNC Machining for Medical Devices: Materials, Tolerances, and Design Considerations

CNC machining is commonly used to manufacture various medical devices—surgical instruments, fixtures, structural elements, fluid-handling parts, and components that attach to or form part of a tissue-contacting implant. The machining operations themselves are familiar shop-floor work. The practical difference in medical device machining is that material definition, surface condition, traceability, inspection, and documentation aren’t just […]

Learn More