Exploring The Impact Of Cost-Effective Surface Treatments On The Roughness and Geometry Of FFF Sintered Parts

Many requirements and applications in various industrial sectors demand high-quality finishes on parts. These finishes, whether due to tolerances or surface quality, are often challenging to achieve through additive manufacturing technologies, necessitating additional post-processing. This study aims to investigate the effect of specific surface treatments on parts produced through Sintering Based Additive Manufacturing (SBAM), such as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). With the premise of employing affordable post-processing methods that can potentially maintain competitive prices for the parts, the study analyzes the post-processing techniques of shot blasting and vibratory polishing on parts with different geometries. Additionally, the study examines the effect of surface treatments on part walls manufactured at various angles. The results obtained demonstrate significant improvements in surface roughness, although there is potential for them to modify the geometry and round the edges of the parts.