Tenco DDM is a 3D printing and finishing service provider founded in 2012 with expertise in coating techniques. Their mission is to co-create high-end prototyping solutions using additive manufacturing and innovative finishing methods. They offer CAD, 3D printing, and finishing services including various coating types to provide painted, mirrored, or technically coated 3D printed parts for customers. Proper selection of 3D printing technology, materials, and post-processing is important to achieve the desired surface quality and functionality for applications.

1. Coating of 3D printed parts

2. About Tenco DDM
 Founded in 2012 as a prototyping and 3D print service provider with a
profound knowledge of coatings and plastic processing
 Basis: profound knowledge & expertise in high-end prototyping and
finishing (coating) techniques for optical products
and finished models
 Location: creative hotspot of C-Mine in Genk (B)

3. Mission and vision
 Our mission: co-create high-end (prototyping) solutions with our customers, mainly
based on additive manufacturing (3D printing) and innovative finishing techniques
 Our vision:
 One stop shop from idea … through design & prototype … to (high volume) serial production
 Personal tailormade service guaranteed by small-scale business
 Extra innovative asset by unique combination of high precision processing and finishing techniques

4. What we offer our customers
 CAD service & product development
 Engineering for AM
 AM technologies
- SLA / DLP / 3SP (Multiple materials)
- FDM (CF reinforced PLA)
- SLS (PA, Alumide, PA-GF, PEBA, Carbomide)
 Finishing
- Painting high-gloss, soft touch, anti-reflection (non transparent), …
- Graphical applications
- Mirror finishing (silver, gold, copper, …)
- Technical coatings (Hardcoat, Shielding (EMC), bio compatible, …)
- Coating technology (Spray coating, DIP coating, FLOW coating, Vacuum coating)
 Assemblies & Manufacturing services
 Tooling development and production
 Large volume production (injection moulding, casting, …)

5. AM makes it all possible …
 Interesting for low volumes
 Design freedom (combined parts, hollow parts, integrated functionalities)
 Each technology has limited material combinations (not to mention colors)
 Post processing needed …
 … which makes it expensive!
 Limited material knowledge for plastic processing
 Right selection of technology, materials and processing = vital

6. AM technologies - SLS
 SLS (Selective laser sintering)  PA
 Alumide
 PA/GF
 PEBA
 Carbomite*
 PEEK*

7. AM technologies - SLS
 Surface quality rather poor
 Thorough post processing needed  Smooth
 Air- & liquid
tight
 Color

8. AM technologies - SLS
 PA printed parts are rough, porous, difficult adhesion
 Post processing  surface quality  Blasting
 Tumbling /
sanding
 coating  chemical
surface etching
 impregnation
 technical
coating

9. AM technologies - SLA
 SLA / DLP / 3SP / CLIP / … (resin based printing)  Acrylic based resins
 Polyester
based resins

10. AM technologies - SLA
 Good to perfect surface quality
 Different post processing needed  Removal of supports
 Air- & liquid
tight parts
 Uniform
Color
 rather fragile

11. AM technologies - SLS
 Resin printed parts are (more) smooth, tight and (mostly) have easy adhesion
 Post processing  surface quality  Sanding
 Blasting
 coating  chemical
surface etching
 technical
coating
 finishing

12. AM technologies - FDM
 FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)  ABS filament
 PLA
 PPSU / Ultem
 … (known
materials)

13. AM technologies - FDM
 Very poor surface quality
 Heavy post processing needed  Removal of supports
 Air- & liquid
tight parts
 Rough
surface
 Strong(er)

14. AM technologies - FDM
 FDM printed parts are rough, low detail level, made out of known material
 Post processing  surface quality  Sanding
 (chemical)
polishing
 coating  chemical
surface etching
 technical
coating

15. AM – Coating threats
 Industrial level coatings and solutions needed
 Industry has little intrest because of low volume production
 Adhesion problems due to material caracteristics
 Compatibility of products
 Application technique (low scale compatible – Spray, flow, dip, CVD, PVD, …)
 Coating certification valid on 3D printed parts?
 …
 Knowledge through experience and testing (ISO/DIN testing EN2409, …)

16. AM – Case studies
 Prototype cover
 SLA printed (fragile!)
 Sanding
 Chemical etching
 Copper plating

17. AM – Case studies
 Exhibition model
 DLP printed (Acrylic resin)
 Sanding
 Chemical etching
 Primer
 Painting
 Finishing
 Assembly

18. AM – Case studies
 Design verification model
 DLP printed (Acrylic resin)
 Removal of supports
 Mechanical polishing
 Chemical polishing

19. AM – Case studies
Mechanical & optical polishing

20. AM – Case studies
 Serial sensor module (2 part housing, illuminated logo, optical lens)
 Product design & development
 Housing
- DLP printing (rubber-like acrylic)
- Removal of supports
- Sanding
- Chemical etching
- Spray painting
- EMC shielding
 Optical Lens
- DLP printing (Clear resin)
- Removal of supports
- Mechanical polishing
- Chemical polishing of shaft

21. AM – Case studies
 Microfluidic chip
 3D printing in Class VI
biocompatible resin
 Mechanical polishing
 Chemical polishing
 Mounting of glass

22. AM – Case studies
 Functional prototype in Silicone
Rubber
 DLP printed mould (Acrylic
resin)
 Coating of mould surface
(smooth)
 Casting of silicone rubber

23. Our coordinates
 Tenco DDM
Houtparklaan 1 bus 11
3600 Genk
Belgium
 www.tenco-ddm.be
info@tenco-ddm.be