With the continuous development of 3D printing technology, it has been widely used in industrial manufacturing, medical care, aerospace and other fields. However, the surface of most 3D printed parts often has problems such as lamination, burr and roughness after molding, which affects the appearance and usability of the finished products. Therefore, post-processing technology has become an important link to improve the quality of 3D printing products. Among them, sandblasting, as an efficient and practical surface treatment method, is widely used in the post-treatment process of 3D printed parts.

1. What is sandblasting?

Sand blasting is a mechanical treatment method that uses high-speed abrasive (such as glass beads, alumina, silicon carbide, quartz sand, etc.) to impact the surface of parts, thereby removing surface impurities, oxide layers, oil stains, etc., and improving surface roughness. Its principle is to drive the abrasive to hit the surface of the workpiece at high speed through compressed air or centrifugal force, so as to clean and strengthen the surface.

Second, the role of sandblasting in 3D printed parts

1. Remove layering and burrs: 3D printed parts will leave obvious step lines and burrs on the surface due to the characteristics of stacking materials layer by layer. These defects can be effectively removed by sandblasting, making the product surface smoother.
2. Improve the surface smoothness and texture: Appropriate sandblasting parameters can make 3D printed parts get matte or even matte texture, and improve the overall appearance.
3. Enhance the adhesion: For the workpieces that need to be sprayed, electroplated or painted later, sandblasting can enhance the surface adhesion and improve the bonding strength of the coating.
4. Stress relieving and surface strengthening: Sandblasting can also improve the residual stress state of the material surface to a certain extent and improve the mechanical properties of the parts.

Third, the operation steps of sandblasting treatment

1. Preparation: According to the printing materials (such as PLA, ABS, nylon, metal, etc.), select the appropriate abrasive type and particle size, and set the parameters such as sandblasting pressure, angle and time.
2. Fixing the workpiece: Fix the 3D printed part on the workbench of the sandblasting machine to ensure that the workpiece will not move or be damaged during sandblasting.
3. Sand blasting operation: start the sand blasting equipment, so that the abrasive can be sprayed on the surface of the part at a certain speed, and pay attention to evenly covering the whole area to be treated.
4. Cleaning and inspection: After sandblasting, use compressed air or clean water to clean the abrasive particles left on the surface, and check whether the treatment effect meets the expectations.

IV. Matters needing attention in sandblasting treatment

-The choice of abrasives should match the material characteristics: 3D printed parts made of different materials should choose different kinds and sizes of abrasives to avoid surface damage or poor results.
-Control blasting parameters: too high pressure may lead to deformation or damage of parts, and too long time may also affect dimensional accuracy.
-Pay attention to safety protection: dust will be generated during sand blasting, and operators should wear protective equipment, such as dust masks and goggles.

V. Conclusion

To sum up, sandblasting is an indispensable part of 3D printing post-processing. It can not only improve the appearance quality of printed parts, but also enhance their functionality and durability. In actual operation, reasonable selection of abrasive, accurate control of parameters and attention to safety protection are the keys to ensure the effect of sand blasting. With the continuous development of technology, the combination of sandblasting and other surface treatment methods will also provide more possibilities for high-quality post-processing of 3D printed parts.