<h2>Two-step machining</h2>
<p>The only way that <em>automatically</em> can depowder and smooth a metal print after its creation that I can think of is deliberately printing the item solid and oversized and including a holding stem. Then the holding stem is chucked into a 5-axis CNC mill, the item indicated in, and milled to shape.</p>
<p>However, this process is not faster than traditional machining but in fact slower.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-07-17T07:55:39.177Z
2023-07-17T08:45:25.657Z
2023-07-17T08:45:25.657Z
Trish
<p>We are working with 3D-printed metals.
The printed models have to be manually post-processed. The supports need to be removed and depowdering (grinding the metal so it's smooth) has to be done.</p>
<p>This post process takes a long time. I did search for solutions that automate that procedure. I could not find any examples.</p>
<p>Do you maybe know about example projects in which the post process was fully or partially automated?</p>

<post-processing>
Automatic support removal and depowdering
somequestions
# Automatic support removal and depowdering

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-07-16)

We are working with 3D-printed metals.
The printed models have to be manually post-processed. The supports need to be removed and depowdering (grinding the metal so it's smooth) has to be done.

This post process takes a long time. I did search for solutions that automate that procedure. I could not find any examples.

Do you maybe know about example projects in which the post process was fully or partially automated?

**Tags:** post-processing


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-07-17. Score: 0

## Two-step machining

The only way that *automatically* can depowder and smooth a metal print after its creation that I can think of is deliberately printing the item solid and oversized and including a holding stem. Then the holding stem is chucked into a 5-axis CNC mill, the item indicated in, and milled to shape.

However, this process is not faster than traditional machining but in fact slower.


---

