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3D Printing Metals - Additive Manufacturing
Surface Finishing of Additive Manufactured Metal Parts
Metal parts that have been produced through additive manufacturing tend to have a textured surface with an average Roughness (Ra) of approximately 30 microns. The values of Ra may increase at support locations and may decrease depending on the geometry profile.
ActOn HE technology has significantly reduced processing times of AM parts in comparison with traditional methods. Also it offers consistent and repeatable results. From reducing surface roughness, to deburring and polishing these are just a few of the applications that can be achieved via the centrifugal high energy finishing process.
Technology We Recommend
Case Study
3D Printed Lizard
Bright Polished Finish
The aim of this project was to smooth the surface and achieve a bright polished finish on a Stainless Steel 3D printed lizard. We achieved this with our three-stage process, using the ActOn Centrifugal Disc Finishing machine, which combines grinding, smoothing and polishing. The total process time took approx. 6 hours which was less than what the customer expected. The process delivered a superior bright polished finish while the dimensional integrity of the part was maintained.
Advanced Surface Finishing for Additive Manufacturing
ActOn's centrifugal high energy finishing technology is engineered specifically for metal additive manufacturing surface finishing applications, delivering measurable improvements in surface consistency, repeatability, and production efficiency.
Our systems support:
- Controlled Ra reduction.
- Deburring of intricate geometries.
- Removal of partially sintered powder particles.
- Preparation for coating, plating, or polishing.
- Bright polished finishes for visible components.
For manufacturers looking to transition from prototype to production, controlled finishing is not optional - it is critical to part validation and downstream performance.
Reducing Surface Roughness in 3D Printed Metal Parts
Metal additive manufactured components frequently leave the build platform with surface roughness levels around Ra 25-35µm, depending on orientation and support interaction.
Surface roughness reduction improves:
- Coating adhesion.
- Corrosion resistance.
- Fatigue life.
- Fluid flow efficiency.
- Cosmetic appearance.
Through a structured multi-stage process combining grinding, smoothing and polishing, ActOn systems enable predictable and repeatable surface finishing outcomes for stainless steel, aluminium, titanium and other engineering alloys.
Scalable Post-Processing for Production AM Parts
As additive manufacturing shifts from prototyping to serial production, finishing processes must become:
- Repeatable.
- Measurable.
- Scalable.
- Cost-efficient.
Manual polishing cannot consistently deliver batch-to-batch control across complex geometries. Centrifugal disc finishing provides:
- Uniform pressure distribution.
- Simultaneous multi-part processing.
- Reduced operator variability.
- Controlled cycle times.
This makes it suitable for aerospace, automotive, medical and precision engineering applications where dimensional integrity must be maintained.
Industries Benefiting from Additive Manufacturing Surface Finishing
ActOn finishing systems support additive manufacturing across:
- Aerospace structural components.
- Automotive performance parts.
- Medical implants and instruments.
- Tooling and mould inserts.
- Decorative and consumer metal products.
In each sector, surface finish directly influences part approval, inspection outcomes and end-use durability.
ActOn Finishing provides process trials, measurable surface roughness validation, and scalable finishing solutions.
Request a quote for additive manufacturing finishing today and evaluate your surface improvement potential.
Request a Free Trial: sales@acton-finishing.co.uk
Call: +44 (0) 24 7646 6914