3D printing technology has made great progress in recent years and is widely used in various fields. However, the printed model often needs to go through a series of post-processing steps in order to achieve the desired effect. PLA (polylactic acid) wire is a commonly used 3D printing material, and the post-processing process is particularly important. This article will introduce the PLA wire printing post-processing steps and skills in detail, and combined with a specific case to illustrate.

First of all, cleaning is the first step in post-print processing.

Once the printing is complete, the model needs to be removed from the platform and wiped with a paper towel over the edge and top of the platform to remove residue. For cleaning of the model itself, an ultrasonic cleaner can be used. Place the model in an ultrasonic cleaner filled with 95% alcohol or IPA (isopropyl alcohol) and soak for 1 to 2 minutes. If you do not have an ultrasonic cleaner, you can prepare three containers and clean the model in three containers for 1 to 3 minutes in turn to ensure that the surface of the model is clean. For example, when making a gear model made of PLA material, the ultrasonic cleaner can effectively remove the residue in the gear gap, ensuring the accuracy of subsequent assembly.

The next step is to remove the support structure.

The support structure is added during the printing process to maintain the stability of the model, but can affect the appearance of the model. Tools such as scalpels and pen knives can be used to remove support structures. For deformable models, it is recommended to remove the support after secondary curing. If the bracing prevents the cleaning of the model locally, it is recommended to remove the bracing before cleaning the model. For example, when printing a PLA model with complex internal structure, a reasonable arrangement of support addition and removal sequence can effectively avoid model deformation.

Grinding and polishing are the key steps to improve the surface quality of the model.

Sanding can be done using sandpaper, a sandpaper sander, or a file. For PLA material, it is recommended to use 200-500 purpose sandpaper for preliminary grinding. If the model has severe wire-drawing conditions, you can use a heat gun or lighter to remove burrs, but be careful not to blow the model for a long time to avoid softening the material. Polishing can be achieved by sandblasting, using compressed air as a power to spray the spray onto the surface of the model to achieve a smooth effect. In addition, the vibration polishing machine is also a good choice, through the collision friction between the medium and the model to achieve polishing. For example, when making a phone case made of PLA filament, sandblasting can make the surface more delicate and improve the feel.

For more delicate finishes, hand and spray paint can be used for color.

The hand painting method is suitable for dealing with complex details, and it can be flat painted two to three times by "#" to make the color even and full. The spray painting rule is suitable for painting small models or detailed parts of models, and it is necessary to test spray before operation to ensure that the concentration and operation are suitable. For example, when coloring an action figure made of PLA material, the hand painting method can better handle details such as the face of the action figure, while the spray painting method is suitable for large areas such as clothing.

In addition to the above methods, there are some special post-processing techniques.

For example, using an acetone vapor smooth ABS model, a smooth effect can be achieved by placing the model in a sealed container containing a small amount of acetone for several hours. However, it should be noted that acetone is toxic, flammable and explosive, and must be used in a well-ventilated area and wear a gas mask. For example, when dealing with a car model made of ABS material, acetone steam treatment can effectively remove surface defects and make the model more realistic.

Finally, for the special application of PLA wire, such as glow-in-the-dark PLA wire, the post-treatment also needs special attention.

Glow-in-the-dark powder was added in the preparation process of PLA wire, which was made by special silanization treatment and mixing process. In the post-processing, it is necessary to pay attention to maintain the luminous effect of the luminous powder, and avoid excessive grinding or polishing leading to the weakening of the luminous effect. For example, when making a children's toy made of glow-in-the-dark PLA material, reasonable control of the intensity of grinding and polishing can ensure that the toy emits a soft light at night.

To sum up, the printing post-processing of PLA wire in 3D printing is a complex and meticulous process, covering multiple steps such as cleaning, removing supports, polishing and coloring. Through these post-processing techniques, the appearance and quality of the model can be significantly improved, making it more in line with the needs of practical applications.