From 1900’s till 1965 almost all types of plastics were invented, including Bakelite, PVC, Nylon, Acrylic, polycarbonate resin thermoplastic, Kevlar... Objects made of the different metals were present since many centuries ago...
From 1920’s till 1965, all most widely used mass finishing process machines were invented, as tumbling barrels, vibratory finishing tubs and round vibratory bowls. Preformed ceramic media used in vibratory/mass finishing was on the market in 1960. Disk finishing process was invented in 1970.
In 1981, Mr. Hideo Kodama invented a process which used ultraviolet lights to harden polymers and create solid objects. This process was a steppingstone for Mr. Chuck Hull who invented SLA process in 1983 and co found 3D Systems Corporation.
Majority of the young people involved today in AM/3D industry is born after 1983. Our point is that objects made of a plastic and metal were mass finished to the print specification for 60 years +. Does the AM/3D parts need specific approach for finishing – yes! Current mass finishing machines settings need to be altered for specific processes, including rpm, amplitude, motor positions, specific media and compound used in specific surface finishing process etc...
Massfin Inc and our am3d finishing division is on the forefront of developing processes for finishing of the am3d parts. Our test lab, with 20 machines (wet blast, dry blast, vibratory finishing etc..) is equipment and knowledge vise best equipped test lab in Canada.
January 2021
The Massfin Inc