cmcc, have you tried it?

No, but I've seen decent results. Been thinking about getting a cabinet for a while but I need an ultrasonic cleaner first

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Prin … -Surface-/

Yeah, I've seen the acetone vapor technique. I may go that way but, I'm always looking for a new way to do things.

Carl, that's some interesting information. Can you show me a link or two that show what you mean by "Also an or or UV laser"? Thanks.

Should have been IR or UV laser. Like cutters use.

Carl, that's some interesting information. Can you show me a link or two that show what you mean by "Also an or or UV laser"? Thanks.

I know you were away for a while. Are you aware of Acetone vapor techniques for smoothing ABS prints? There are several threads here on that subject and it can work quite well. Unless you're looking to invent your own technique that no one has tried before.

I keep thinking about post processing in a small production environment, where sanding and filling is just too time consuming.

It occurs to me that if there was a way to subject the part (primarily ABS) to a  flash of high temperature, just hot enough for just long enough to melt the outer layer before it immediately re-solidifies, it could result in a smooth finish. It would need to be something that could be carefully calibrated, maybe by a timer and/or a potentiometer. Probably on a turntable for even heat. Like the old time flash bulbs. You could feel the flash of heat from a few feet away.

I've tried a microwave but the ABS heats up slow and so by the time the outer surface is ready to liquefy the internals are too, so that won't work. PLA just softens up and melts. The inside of the part needs to stay cool and solid so the heat has to be hot and quick against the outside.

If not quick, maybe a very radiant heat source, like two or three heat lamps  or space heaters with the part turning on a turntable.

My ultimate dream would be a laser on a three axis head systematically melting the top layer but, until that happens, a flash heat process could hold the promise of producing smooth parts with short processing time and effort.

Any thoughts?

Very high output strobes can do it with dark colored prints. They have an output high enough to ignite black paper that is placed near them in one pulse.

Also an or or UV laser just like the ones used for cutting would work. Just refocus the beam to a line that is the width of your item then scan from top to bottom. You would need to work out the scan speed to set the dwell time. Again this most likely won't work on light colored items.

It occurs to me that if there was a way to subject the part (primarily ABS) to a  flash of high temperature, just hot enough for just long enough to melt the outer layer before it immediately re-solidifies, it could result in a smooth finish. It would need to be something that could be carefully calibrated, maybe by a timer and/or a potentiometer. Probably on a turntable for even heat. Like the old time flash bulbs. You could feel the flash of heat from a few feet away.

I've tried a microwave but the ABS heats up slow and so by the time the outer surface is ready to liquefy the internals are too, so that won't work. PLA just softens up and melts. The inside of the part needs to stay cool and solid so the heat has to be hot and quick against the outside.

If not quick, maybe a very radiant heat source, like two or three heat lamps  or space heaters with the part turning on a turntable.

My ultimate dream would be a laser on a three axis head systematically melting the top layer but, until that happens, a flash heat process could hold the promise of producing smooth parts with short processing time and effort.

Any thoughts?