Polish Film 3D Printing

3D Printing final steps require a type of abrasive material used to remove small amounts of material from a surface in order to achieve a smooth and flat finish. The successful alternative to sand paper is lapping film, also known as polishing film. Though commonly used in the manufacturing of optical and electronic components, including fiber optic connectors, lenses, and semiconductor wafers, lapping film, made by coating a thin, flexible substrate, such as polyester or polyimide, with a layer of abrasive particles, such as aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, or diamond, is becoming the preferred solution for 3D polishing due to the abrasive particles being embedded in a resin or adhesive matrix that holds them in place and provides a uniform distribution across the film. Lapping film is available in a variety of grit sizes, which determine the size and aggressiveness of the abrasive particles. Lower grit sizes, such as 3-5 microns, are typically used for rough polishing and removing larger imperfections, while higher grit sizes, such as 1 micron or less, are used for final polishing and achieving a mirror-like finish. Overall, lapping film is a versatile and effective tool for achieving precise and consistent finishes on a variety of surfaces, particularly in the manufacturing of optical and electronic components. Fiber Optic Center recommends ÅngströmLap® 3D films for 3D polishing.