The Polysher is a unique desktop finishing chamber used to smooth out edges, soften or remove print lines, and polish the exterior surface finish of 3D-printed parts with Polymaker’s PolySmooth material. After some trial and error, the Polysher has proven itself to be a valuable tool.

The Polysher uses an isopropyl alcohol mixture to create a mist inside its chamber. A platform in the centre of the chamber slowly rotates, allowing for your 3D-printed part to be coated evenly in a fine mist that polishes and smooths your model to the desired finish. The use of this machine allows 3D printers to finish their small- to medium-sized prints hands free; however, every product or process has upsides and downsides, and the Polysher is no different.

I spent some time running a variety of tests to determine how to achieve the best possible results when using the Polysher. The variables considered for these tests were time of exposure, purity of alcohol used, and drying conditions. For each test, the variables were adjusted so that we could find not only how to do it best but also what not to do while using this machine. Below is a breakdown of everything you need to know when deciding if this finishing product is right for you.

• Polymaker has produced a material for 3D printing that can be safely processed to a beautiful finish using common isopropyl alcohol. Similar material is also available from other manufacturers.
• This process and the Polysher device are easy to use and require very little oversight or interaction.
• The machine is not overly expensive, selling for roughly $360 and print material is reasonably priced at around $60 per 0.75kg.
• A simple change to the ratio of alcohol to water mixed into the tank can yield a variety of results.
• Once the machine has been turned on there is no need for oversight; the machine will turn off when the timer has finished, and the finished product can begin drying in the chamber.
• Turntable and interior lighting provide a pleasant display while the machine is in operation.
• It can be used to create a shiny surface, leaving sharp edges and desired features or to smooth out sharp edges and create a glossy finish.

• Products fresh out of the machine have a melted surface. Any interaction with them for the first few hours can cause disfiguration to the newly polished print.
• The melted surface will fuse with any particles that encounter the smoothed object. The final product may need to be in a completely clean environment to produce the desired finish.
• Any contact point where your print is resting to dry will become flat surfaces. A drying rack or stand may be necessary to keep important contact points from changing shape.
• The desired finish may take a significant amount of time in the machine. Common run times are between 30 minutes and 1 hour 20 minutes.
• The time before you can safely interact with your polished print is significant, usually 1 to 2 hours.
• The time before the finished product is completely dried and hardened is more significant, taking between 3 days and 2 weeks.
• The size of Polysher tank is too small for mid-sized or large prints, limiting its usefulness on some projects.
• Opening the tank is an unnecessarily slow process.
• Any heat applied to these products will warp the print.

• To avoid causing damage to freshly processed models, leave your product in the chamber to dry for 1 to 2 hours. This will allow the surface to be less fragile and avoid a few possible complications.
• If possible, create a stand or support structure from a suitable material that will fit in the tank. The support structure can hold your product at noncritical points so that the model comes out as intended.
• Use light airflow to reduce initial drying times.

Smooth finishes are an important aspect of products in multiple industries. Toy producers require soft edges for safety; massage products need smooth surfaces, so they feel comfortable against the skin; and visual representation is the key selling point of many retail products. Smooth finishes can also be important for practical reasons like reducing friction for almost anything that must move along the ground, through the air or through the water. Unfortunately, the Polysher is too small to apply its effect on an industrial scale, however, it does allow us to create prototypes that fit the requirements of these industries.

If you are showing a visually pleasing model or prototype to a prospective client – creating a smooth model for your collection to show off or anything that needs a smooth to the touch feeling – the Polysher is a great way to meet these requirements for small projects. The Polysher is not, however, ideal for any projects that must be completed in a short amount of time. You can expect to wait at a minimum several days before interacting with your product. Prints processed this way also require pristine conditions while drying and cannot be exposed to heat to speed up the process. Overall, this process is best suited to show pieces rather than working ones. The Polysher is not perfect, but what it does, it does well.

If you think this equipment would be a good fit for a project idea you have, Sylvia Denton, Technical Sales Manager today to set up a meeting to learn more about service streams and how we can work together to better your business. WAMIC is ready to work with you!