Researchers from Skoltech and MEPhI have devised a laser polishing technique that effectively removes both surface roughness and subsurface pores in intricately shaped metal parts manufactured with a 3D printer. Described in Optics & Laser Technology, the new method is particularly well-suited for the surface treatment of medical implants. The paper demonstrates that it outperforms previously available techniques, which tend to work well when either roughness or porosity is the issue, but not both.
Laser polishes 3D-printed metal parts better than ever before
