Finishing Levels

We recently made some additions to our finishing levels.   Download the print ready pdf here: 

Engineering Finishes - Overview

E2: Minimal cleanup for all processes.
SLA: supports removed.
Machining: burrs removed.
Casting: gate and flash removed.

E3: Part is lightly sanded and/or bead or vapor blasted to minimize evidence of the build process and achieve consistent finish.

E4: This is an upgraded E3 with customer specific instructions.  Example: further cleanup, fitting, clear coating for “engineering” level clarity etc. The end result is still considered an “engineering” model.

Appearance Finishes - Overview

A5: Part is sanded smooth on exterior surfaces, eliminating evidence of the process where necessary, and fitted if required. Part is primed and ready for final paint or rubber mold if part is being used as a pattern.

A6: Part is sanded smooth on exterior and interior surfaces and clear coated or polished for appearance purposes.

Engineering Finishes - Details

E2: Part receives minimal cleanup.

SLA Parts: Positive evidence of supports is removed, prior to the ultraviolet, post-curing process.  Most surfaces remain unfinished except evidence of mild sanding in areas where supports were removed. Machined Parts: Part is de-burred to eliminate overly sharp edges (unless advised otherwise).  Most surfaces will maintain a machined finish.

Cast Parts: Evidence of flash, gating and vents is removed. Most surfaces will maintain a natural finish, preserving the quality of the finished pattern.

E3: Standard engineering model finish.

SLA Parts: Part is lightly sanded and bead blasted or vapor honed to minimize evidence of the SLA build process. This results in a consistent surface quality. The E3 finish replaces the natural, semi-gloss finish and adds opacity to parts built using translucent resins to enhance surface visibility.

Machined Parts: Part is de-burred to eliminate overly sharp edges (unless advised otherwise).  Part is lightly sanded and bead blasted or vapor honed to minimize evidence of the machining process.  This results in a consistent surface quality.

Cast Parts: Part is lightly sanded and bead blasted or vapor honed for a consistent surface quality, further minimizing evidence of flash, gating and vents.

E4: This is essentially an upgraded E3 finish, with customer specific instructions.  Example: further cleanup or care to specified areas, fitting, clear coating for “engineering” level clarity, etc.  The end result is still considered an “engineering” model. This finish is applicable to any prototyping process.

Appearance Finishes - Details

A5: Part is sanded smooth on exterior surfaces, eliminating evidence of the manufacturing process where necessary and fitted, if required. The finished part is primed for rubber molding, if intended for use as a master pattern; part is primed and painted if intended for direct use as an appearance model. This finish is applicable to any prototyping process.

A6: This finish is necessary for appearance models that require extended finishing, beyond primer or standard painting.

SLA Parts: Part is sanded smooth on exterior and interior surfaces and clear coated or polished for appearance purposes. An A6 finish is usually requested to yield optimum clarity for parts produced from translucent SLA resins.

Machined Parts: To yield optimum clarity for parts machined from clear or translucent plastics, the part is sanded smooth on exterior and interior surfaces and clear coated or polished for appearance purposes.  An A6 finish would also apply when finishing metal parts that require polished or reflective surfaces, or in preparation for brushed finishes.

Cast Parts: Part is sanded smooth on exterior and interior surfaces and clear coated or polished for
appearance purposes. An A6 finish is usually requested to yield optimum clarity for parts produced from
clear or translucent urethanes.

Related Items:

Photos of SLA parts with different finishes.
Photo of a clear SLA part with different finishes.