When people think of 3D printing, they often picture parts with visible layer lines or rough edges—but that’s no longer the case. Сегодня, 3D printing is a method of smooth surface creation, thanks to advanced pre-print settings, post-processing techniques, and high-quality materials. Whether you’re making a display model for a client, a functional part that needs to fit tightly, or a consumer product that requires a polished look, achieving a smooth surface with 3D printing is not just possible—it’s accessible. This guide breaks down the key steps to get smooth 3D printed surfaces, from pre-print adjustments to post-processing, Реальные примеры, and how to choose the right method for your project.
Pre-Print Adjustments: Lay the Foundation for Smooth Surfaces
Before you hit “print,” small tweaks to your printer settings and model design can make a huge difference in surface smoothness. These steps reduce layer lines and defects before they even happen—saving you time on post-processing.
1. Optimize Layer Height and Printing Speed
Layer height is the most straightforward way to affect smoothness: the thinner the layer, the fewer visible lines. Pairing thin layers with a slower printing speed ensures the plastic melts evenly and adheres well.
- Recommended Settings: For PLA or PETG, use a layer height of 0.15–0.2mm (против. the default 0.25mm) and a printing speed of 40–60mm/s (против. 60–80mm/s). For resin printers, go even thinner—0.05–0.1mm layers.
- Пример реального мира: A hobbyist printing a figurine for a craft fair tested two settings: 0.25mm layers at 70mm/s (rough surface) and 0.15mm layers at 50mm/s (гладкая поверхность). The smooth figurine sold for 2x the price of the rough one, and customers commented on the “professional look.”
- Точка данных: A study by 3D printing experts found that reducing layer height from 0.25mm to 0.15mm decreased visible layer lines by 65% for PLA prints.
2. Choose the Right Printing Angle and Support Structures
The angle at which your model sits on the build platform affects how many supports you need—and supports often leave marks when removed. By orienting the model to minimize overhangs, you reduce support use and keep surfaces smooth.
- Для чаевого: For parts with curved surfaces (like a vase), print them at a 45° angle instead of flat. This spreads layer lines across the curve, making them less visible.
- Пример: A small business printing custom phone cases oriented their models so the curved edges faced up, with only minimal supports for the camera cutout. Before this adjustment, 80% of cases had support marks on the back; после, только 10% did—customer complaints dropped by 70%.
3. Use High-Quality Filaments or Resins
The material you choose directly impacts surface smoothness. High-quality filaments have consistent diameter (no thick or thin spots) and better interlayer adhesion, which reduces “stringing” (thin plastic strands between layers) and rough edges.
- What to Look For:
- Filaments: Choose brands with a diameter tolerance of ±0.02mm (НАПРИМЕР., Prusament, eSun).
- Смолы: Opt for “high-detail” or “smooth finish” resins (НАПРИМЕР., Elegoo Water Washable Resin), which cure to a glossy, even surface.
- Пример реального мира: A designer switched from a budget PLA filament (± 0,05 мм толерантность) to a high-quality one (±0.02mm). The high-quality filament reduced stringing by 90%, and the printed parts required 50% less sanding to be smooth.
Post-Processing Techniques: Turn Good Surfaces into Great Ones
Even with perfect pre-print settings, most 3D prints benefit from post-processing to achieve a glass-like smoothness. Below are the most effective techniques, organized by material type (filament vs. смола) for clarity.
1. Post-Processing for Filament Prints (Плата, Петг, АБС)
Filament prints (FDM printers) often have visible layer lines—these techniques smooth them out while keeping the part strong.
| Technique | Как это работает | Лучше всего для материалов | Time per Part | Smoothness Result (1–10, 10=Perfect) |
| Sandpaper Sanding | Начните с грубой наждачной бумаги (120–240 Грит) to remove layer lines, then fine sandpaper (400–800 Грит) for smoothness. | Плата, Петг, АБС | 15–30 mins | 7–8 |
| Химическая полировка | Soak ABS parts in acetone (or use a acetone vapor bath) to melt the surface slightly, filling in layer lines. | ABS only (PLA/PETG don’t react) | 5–10 mins | 9–10 |
| Filling & Покрытие | Use epoxy resin or wood filler to fill gaps, then apply a spray-on primer or polyurethane coating. | Плата, Петг, АБС | 30–60 mins | 8–9 |
| Adhesive Splashing | For FDM prints, use a specialized adhesive spray to fill tiny gaps between layers, then sand lightly. | Плата, Петг | 10–15 mins | 7–8 |
- Пример: An industrial designer used chemical polishing on ABS enclosures for a new gadget. The enclosures went from having visible layer lines (smoothness score 4) to a glossy, seamless surface (score 9) в просто 8 минуты. The client was so impressed they ordered 500 more enclosures.
2. Post-Processing for Resin Prints
Resin prints start smoother than filament prints (thanks to thin layers), but small tweaks can make them even better:
- Washing & Выклятый: Rinse resin prints in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for 5–10 minutes to remove uncured resin, then cure them under UV light for 10–20 minutes. This eliminates stickiness and brings out a smooth finish.
- Шлифование (Свет): Use fine sandpaper (800–1200 Грит) to smooth any small support marks—resin is soft, so you only need gentle pressure.
- Покрытие: Apply a clear acrylic spray to add shine and protect the surface from scratches.
- Пример: A jewelry maker prints resin pendants with a 0.1mm layer height. After washing, curing, and a light sand, the pendants have a smooth, gem-like surface that customers compare to “hand-polished stone.” Sales of the pendants increased by 35% after adding the post-processing steps.
Professional Post-Processing Services: When to Outsource
If you don’t have time for post-processing or need museum-quality smoothness, professional 3D printing surface services are a great option. These services use industrial-grade equipment (like vapor polishing machines or CNC sanders) to achieve results that are hard to replicate at home.
- What They Offer:
- Vapor polishing for ABS/nylon parts
- High-precision sanding for large parts
- Painting and coating (including custom colors)
- Расходы: \(5- )50 за часть, depending on size and complexity.
- Пример реального мира: A startup needed 100 smooth prototypes of their new toy for a trade show. They printed the parts in PLA, then sent them to a service for filling and coating. The service returned the parts in 3 days—each with a smooth, paint-ready surface. The startup got 10+ orders at the trade show, with buyers praising the “high-quality finish.”
How to Choose the Right Smooth Surface Method
Not every technique works for every project—here’s how to pick the best one based on your needs:
1. Consider the Material
- Плата: Stick to sanding, filling, or adhesive splashing (chemicals don’t work).
- АБС: Use chemical polishing for the smoothest results (быстро и эффективно).
- Петг: Шлифование + coating (PETG is tough, so sanding takes a bit more time, but coating adds shine).
- Смола: Washing + curing + Световое шлифование (resin needs minimal work).
2. Think About the Part’s Purpose
- Функциональные части (НАПРИМЕР., передачи, петли): Avoid thick coatings (they can affect fit). Sanding or adhesive splashing is best—they keep the part’s dimensions accurate.
- Display Models (НАПРИМЕР., фигурки, прототипы): Use chemical polishing (АБС) or filling + coating (PLA/resin) for a showstopping look.
- Потребительские товары (НАПРИМЕР., Телефонные чехлы, ювелирные изделия): Add a protective coating (like polyurethane) to keep the surface smooth long-term.
3. Factor in Time and Budget
- Quick Projects (1–10 parts): Do-it-yourself sanding or adhesive splashing (бюджетный, 15–30 mins per part).
- High-Volume Projects (100+ части): Professional services (saves time, Последовательные результаты).
- Tight Budget: Шлифование (free if you have sandpaper) or adhesive splashing (cheap spray).
Yigu Technology’s View on 3D Printing as a Smooth Surface Method
В Yigu Technology, Мы верим 3D printing is a method of smooth surface that should be accessible to everyone—from hobbyists to large manufacturers. We’ve helped clients choose the right tools: recommending high-tolerance filaments for PLA prints, providing safe acetone alternatives for ABS polishing, and partnering with trusted post-processing services for bulk orders. We also test new materials (like our ultra-smooth PETG) to make pre-print smoothness easier. What excites us most is seeing clients turn rough prints into professional-grade products—whether it’s a small business selling custom toys or an engineer presenting a prototype to investors. With the right techniques, 3D printing doesn’t just make parts—it makes parts that look and feel amazing.
Часто задаваемые вопросы:
- Q.: Can I get a smooth surface with a budget 3D printer (под $300)?
А: Да! Budget printers (like the Ender 3 V2) can produce smooth parts with small adjustments: use 0.15mm layer height, slow down the print speed, and sand lightly after. A hobbyist used an Ender 3 to print smooth PLA coasters that sold at a local market—customers couldn’t tell they were made with a budget printer.
- Q.: Will post-processing make my 3D printed part weaker?
А: It depends on the technique. Шлифование (свет) or coating won’t weaken parts—they might even make them stronger (coating adds protection). Chemical polishing for ABS can slightly soften the surface, but it won’t affect strength for most uses (НАПРИМЕР., display models). Avoid heavy sanding (removing more than 1mm of material) Для функциональных частей.
- Q.: How long does a smooth 3D printed surface last?
А: С надлежащим уходом, it can last years. Coated parts (polyurethane or acrylic) resist scratches and fading—great for consumer products. Смоловые отпечатки, if cured properly, stay smooth for 5+ годы. The only exception is uncoated PLA, which might become brittle and rough if exposed to sunlight for long periods (coat it to prevent this).
