Tumbling

SMOOTHER SURFACES FOR ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED PARTS

Additively manufactured parts typically have a characteristic surface roughness after production.

Tumbling is a mechanical post-processing process used to reduce this roughness and create a smoother, more uniform surface.

CIPRES uses tumbling as a finishing process for suitable additively manufactured polymer parts and as preparation for subsequent finishing steps.

HOW DOES TUMBLING WORK?

During tumbling, the components are processed together with specially selected media in a finishing system.

The controlled movement between the parts and the media gradually reduces surface roughness and smooths the component surface.

The process parameters are adapted to the material, component geometry and required surface quality.

Here you can find the Design Rules for tumbling: Design Rules for tumbling

IMPROVED SURFACE QUALITY

Tumbling can significantly improve the visual appearance and feel of additively manufactured parts.

Depending on the component and process parameters, the treatment can:

Reduce surface roughness
Create a smoother and more uniform surface
Improve the visual appearance of the component
Improve the feel of the surface
Prepare parts for subsequent finishing processes

PREPARATION FOR FURTHER FINISHING

Tumbling can be used as a standalone finishing process or combined with additional surface treatments.

Depending on the material and application, subsequent processes can include:

Dyeing
Chemical smoothing
Infiltration
UV protection
Painting

This allows different finishing steps to be combined according to the required final result.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

Tumbling is suitable for a wide range of additively manufactured components, including:

Functional parts
Housings and covers
Technical components
Small and series production parts
Eyewear
Design products
Parts with visual surface requirements

SURFACE LEVELING OR TUMBLING?

The appropriate process depends on the initial surface and the required result.

Surface leveling is primarily used to clean, prepare and create a more uniform surface.

Tumbling provides more intensive mechanical surface treatment and is used to reduce surface roughness and create a smoother finish.

Depending on the component, both processes can also be combined with additional finishing steps.

YOU PRINT – WE FINISH.

Your parts do not have to be manufactured by CIPRES.

If you produce your components in-house or source them from another additive manufacturing provider, you can send them directly to CIPRES for tumbling and further surface finishing.

REQUEST TUMBLING

IS TUMBLING SUITABLE FOR YOUR PART?

The result depends on the material, component geometry, initial surface and required finish.

Tell us how your parts are manufactured and what surface quality you want to achieve. We will determine whether tumbling is suitable and which additional finishing processes may be useful.

CONTACT CIPRES

TUMBLING