Post-processing That We Used for the Olympic 3D Prints

Written by Abigail    July 26, 2024

The essence of the Olympics is to make the world more united and better, and in 3D printing, we are also constantly striving for better result and high fidelity. Post-processing is the method that helps us achieve higher quality and more beautiful products. There are many types of post-processing, such as spray painting, vapor smoothing, electroplating, tumbling, anodizing, and so on.

What did we print for Paris Olympics 2024?

In anticipation of the Paris 2024 Olympics, we created a series of stunning Olympic-themed 3D prints! We used SLA (stereolithography) and high-quality resins to create the iconic Olympic rings, the Paris 2024 medals, and the Paris 2024 torch, all of which were painted for a beautiful, colorful finish. In addition, we created the Eiffel Tower from aluminum AlSi10Mg using SLM (selective laser melting), which was then electroplated.

The Olympic Rings

The Olympic rings are the globally recognized symbol of the Olympics and the visual ambassador of the Olympic spirit in the hearts of billions of people. To celebrate this iconic symbol, we 3D printed the Olympic rings using SLA 3D printing. Each of the five Rings was created with a smooth surface. After printing, the Rings were sanded and gloss-painted to highlight the five symbolic colors of the Olympic Movement.

● 3D Printing: SLA

● Material: Quality Resin

● Post-processing: Sanding, Spray Painting (Gloss Paint)

● Pantone:

The Medals

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Medals are truly unique and symbolic, each incorporating a piece of the Eiffel Tower. Designed by the famous jeweler Chaumet, these Medals embody three main inspirations: the hexagon, radiance, and gem-setting. To create the Medals, we used SLA (stereolithography) 3D printing and high-quality resin. Different from the Olympic rings, we chose to paint them DIY, using metallic spray paint to achieve a stunning effect.

● 3D Printing: SLA

● Material: High-quality Resin

● Post-processing: Sanding, DIY Spray Painting (Metallic Lacquer Spray Paint)

The Torch

The design of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games torch, crafted by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, is a masterpiece. It embodies the themes of Equality, Water, and Peacefulness and is distinguished by its unique champagne color, which radiates elegance and sophistication.

The torch that we made was 3D printed using SLA 3D printing. It is a print-in-place 3D print. To achieve the stunning champagne color, we used metallic lacquer spray paint to DIY the surface of the 3D-printed torch.

● 3D Printing: SLA

● Material: High-quality Resin

● Post-processing: Sanding, DIY Spray Painting (Metallic Lacquer Spray Paint)

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower, "La Tour Eiffel" in French, is a wrought iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It was designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel. It was built between 1887 and 1889 and was the tallest man-made structure in the world until the completion of the Chrysler Building in New York City in 1930. The tower has three floors for visitors to visit, with restaurants on the first and second floors. The upper terrace on the top floor is 276 meters (906 feet) above the ground.

The Eiffel Tower, with its intricate lattice structure, is an excellent example to demonstrate the capabilities of 3D printing. Let’s take a closer look at our metal 3D-printed Eiffel Tower. We scaled it down to a cost-effective size and electroplated it with an elegant black finish.

Initially, we considered several 3D printing processes, including SLA, SLS, and MJF. However, due to the Tower’s thousands of intricate details, these methods proved challenging.

SLA required numerous supports that were difficult to remove without damaging the print. SLS and MJF, while not requiring support structures, struggled with the fine lattice details and left residue powders that were hard to clean.

So, you might figure out that the main problem was actually the size of the Eiffel Tower. We tried to print it to scale, but printing a model at this price was not a good idea. So, we went back to step one and modified the 3D design to print the tower within the budget.

We simplified the floor terraces and chose SLM to print the Eiffel Tower. This method allowed us to successfully print the Tower, which was then electroplated in black. The final print features embossed “Paris” and “France” details.

Despite the scaled size, some supports remain visible as they are difficult to remove.

Additionally, achieving a smooth surface finish was challenging due to the delicate lattice structure, and excessive sanding risked breaking it. Nonetheless, this metal 3D-printed Eiffel Tower is a great prototype, and we are pleased with the results, especially considering it was produced within our budget.

● 3D Printing: SLM

● Material: Aluminum AlSi10Mg

● Post-processing: Electroplating

3DSPRO 3D Plus™ Solutions

In addition to spray painting and electroplating, our 3D Plus™ Solutions offer a wide range of comprehensive post-processing solutions for your project, including vapor smoothing, sandblasting, glass bead blasting, tumbling, dyeing, screen printing, tapping, threading, powder coating, polishing, vibratory smoothing, and more. To explore the best post-processing options for your needs, contact our Customer Success Managers. We can assist you in selecting the most suitable solution for your project.