Learn · Buyer’s guide
Vapor smoothing, also called chemical smoothing, seals and smooths 3D printed polymer parts with a controlled solvent vapor. This comparison sets the specifications of PostPro machines next to other makers’ vapor smoothing machines of the same class, each figure as its maker states it on its own website, and lists what to ask any supplier of vapor smoothing equipment before you choose.
Updated · See the table
Side by side
Floor-standing systems for production batches of 3D printed polymer parts, as each maker publishes them. The same rows for every system, in each maker’s own words and units. A dash means the maker’s page AMT read does not state the value.
Scroll sideways to see every system
| Specification | PostPro SF50 AMT | PostPro SF100 AMT | Powerfuse S DyeMansion | LUX PRO 400 LuxYours | LUX PRO 700 LuxYours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class in each maker’s words | Floor-standing · low-volume production of end-use parts | Floor-standing · high-volume production | Industrial vapor smoothing system | Compact industrial system | Industrial system for series production |
| Process in each maker’s words | Vapor smoothing | Vapor smoothing | VaporFuse Surfacing (VFS) | Multi Purpose Smoothing (MPS), a physical-chemical process for vapor smoothing | Multi Purpose Smoothing (MPS), a physical-chemical process for vapor smoothing |
| Chamber, basket or max. part size as published | 400 × 300 × 400 mm | 400 × 600 × 400 mm | 85 l process chamber volume; Baskets: Basic 610 × 340 × 315 mm (approx. 65 l usable volume), Max 610 × 435 × 353 mm (approx. 78 l usable volume) | 400 × 400 × 300 mm (process chamber and max. part size) | 700 × 600 × 500 mm (process chamber and max. part size) |
| Cycle as each maker defines it | 1.5–2 h | 1.5–2 h | 45 to 180 minutes | 90 min (including evaporation time) | 65 min (including evaporation time) |
| Materials | PA12 · PA11 · TPU · TPE · PP with FA9202, 100+ thermoplastics with FA326 on SF50 and SF100 | PA12 · PA11 · TPU · TPE · PP with FA9202, 100+ thermoplastics with FA326 on SF50 and SF100 | PA12, PA11, TPU, TPA, PEBAX, ULTEM and PA6; polypropylene on the Powerfuse S PP version | PA12, PA11, PA6 and TPU | PA12, PA11, PA6 and TPU |
| Print processes | MJF, SLS, SAF, HSS; FDM | MJF, SLS, SAF, HSS; FDM | SLS, MJF, SAF, HSS and FDM/FFF | SLS, MJF, HSS, SAF, AKF and FDM | SLS, MJF, HSS, SAF, AKF and FDM |
| Smoothing agent | PostPro Pure · FA326 · FA9202 | PostPro Pure · FA326 · FA9202 | VF47 EcoFluid | LuxFlux PA | LuxFlux PA |
| Agent recovery | Closed-loop system with consumable recovery | Closed-loop system with consumable recovery | Integrated solvent recovery in a closed loop | Solvent recovery | Retrofit option for improved solvent recovery |
| Machine size | 830 × 1400 × 1830 mm | 830 × 1400 × 1830 mm | 1700 × 1700 × 2070 mm (system; loading belt extra) | 1125 × 758 × 1688 mm (L × W × H) | 3300 × 955 × 1950 mm (L × W × H) |
| Weight | 800 kg | 850 kg | 1600 kg; loading unit extra (180 kg manual, 800 kg automatic) | – not stated on the page AMT read | – not stated on the page AMT read |
| Electrical as published | Three-phase, 400 V or 480 V, 50/60 Hz | Three-phase, 400 V or 480 V, 50/60 Hz | Approx. 20 kW; 400 V / 50 Hz / 63 A or 480 V / 60 Hz / 63 A | 8.5 kW installed heating power | 7.4 kW installed heating power |
| Controls | HD touchscreen | HD touchscreen | Standard programs Fast, Universal, Light, Balanced or Strong set the level of smoothing; custom programs can be developed | Touch-screen operation | Touch-screen operation |
| Data connection | MES/ERP connectivity | MES/ERP connectivity | OPC UA interface for unidirectional communication (Data Connect, optional) | Industrie 4.0 ready | Industrie 4.0 ready |
DyeMansion calls the VX1 “Industrial Entry” and designs it for offices, labs and small production spaces, so it is set next to the PostPro desktop systems.
| Specification | PostPro SFX AMT | PostPro SF2X AMT | VX1 DyeMansion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class in each maker’s words | Desktop · R&D and low-volume production | Desktop · scalable throughput, double the SFX chamber capacity | Industrial Entry (compact) |
| Process in each maker’s words | Vapor smoothing | Vapor smoothing | VaporFuse Surfacing (VFS) |
| Chamber, basket or max. part size as published | 190 × 320 × 190 mm, 11.5 L | 260 × 390 × 260 mm, 26.4 L | 24.6 l process chamber volume |
| Cycle as each maker defines it | 2 h | 2 h | 1.5 to 3 h |
| Materials | PA12 · PA11 · TPU · PP with FA9202 | PA12 · PA11 · TPU | PA12, PA11 and TPU |
| Print processes | MJF, SLS, SAF, HSS; FDM (including ULTEM and Onyx) | MJF, SLS, HSS; FDM (ULTEM and Onyx) | Most powder-bed printers; SLS and MJF PA12 parts can be mixed in one run |
| Smoothing agent | PostPro Pure · FA9202 | PostPro Pure | One sealed solvent cartridge per run, per material |
| Agent recovery | Quick-change recovery cartridge | – not listed | Used cartridges are returned, refilled and put back into circulation |
| Machine size | 450 × 500 × 845 mm | 510 × 540 × 920 mm | 660 × 450 × 1100 mm |
| Weight | 82 kg | 106 kg | Approx. 90 kg |
| Electrical as published | Single-phase, 230 V or 120 V | Single-phase, 230 V or 120 V | Standard electrical outlet |
| Controls | 7-inch touchscreen | – not listed | HMI: operator sets fill level, wall thickness and smoothing level |
| Data connection | Wi-Fi | – not listed | EG25-G LTE Cat 4 modem |
PostPro figures: AMT’s product pages and brochure. Other figures: according to each maker’s own website, checked . Every source is listed under Sources and references at the foot of this page.
01In the tables
Where the published lists differ. DyeMansion lists PEBAX for the Powerfuse S. AMT’s published material lists do not name it; ask AMT about your material.
According to DyeMansion’s website, checked .
02In the table
Where the published lists differ. LuxYours lists the AKF print process. AMT’s published process lists do not name it; ask AMT about your print process.
According to LuxYours’ website, checked .
03A different method
PostPro is AMT’s product brand; PostProcess Technologies is a different company. RADOR finishes parts with media and a detergent, a different method from vapor smoothing, so it is described here and not set in the tables. The two methods are often used one after the other: see vapor smoothing vs media finishing.
Where the published lists differ. RADOR is listed for SLA, CLIP, PolyJet and metal parts. AMT’s systems are not listed for them.
According to PostProcess Technologies’ website, checked .
04Mass finishing
LuxYours’ systems are in the table above. Mass finishing is a mechanical route, compared in vapor smoothing vs tumbling and sanding.
According to the AM Solutions and Rösler websites, checked .
LuxYours, LUX PRO, DyeMansion, Powerfuse, VX1, Rösler, AM Solutions, PostProcess and RADOR are trademarks of their owners. AMT is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. They have not reviewed this page.
Spotted something out of date? Tell us through the contact form and AMT will check the maker’s page and update this one.
Buyer’s checklist
Ask every supplier the same eight questions, AMT included, and bring a build of your own parts to the conversation.
Makers publish one or the other, or both. Fit a full build of your parts, not one part.
Ask for the safety data sheet, and how the agent is stored, loaded and disposed of.
Find your exact material and print process on the maker’s list, then test it.
Heating, conditioning, smoothing, curing, drying, odor removal: ask for the time from loading to unloading.
Ask whether it is recovered in a closed loop, neutralized or disposed of, and what leaves the machine.
Machine size, operating area, weight, electrical supply, extraction and compressed air.
Touchscreen, user access, recipe storage, and a connection to your MES or ERP.
Ask for a test on your own parts, and for the method behind any published number.
The PostPro range
Two desktop and two floor-standing systems. Each system’s starting price is on the pricing page; your quotation gives the exact price.
AutomateDMS automated loading loads and unloads PostPro SF100 systems for unattended production. See automated loading.
Start with your parts: material, print process, size and how many a week. Then compare chamber or part size, the smoothing agent, the cycle and what it includes, agent recovery, floor space and utilities, and the equipment around the machine: electrical supply, extraction and loading. End with a test on your own parts. The comparison tables on this page follow the same order.
Every figure for another maker’s system comes from that maker’s own website and is listed, with the date it was read, under Sources and references at the foot of this page. PostPro figures come from AMT’s product pages and brochure. AMT has not tested other makers’ systems.
Each figure is as its maker’s website showed it on the date given under Sources and references. Makers change their pages, so a figure here can fall out of date; a new version of this page cannot be published with a figure read more than three months earlier. If you spot something out of date, tell AMT through the contact form and AMT will check the maker’s page.
Makers count different steps. Some figures include heating, evaporation or odor removal and some do not. To compare like with like, ask each maker for the time from loading to unloading for your parts.
Yes. Each PostPro system has a starting price on the pricing page, excluding tax and shipping; your quotation gives the exact price. This page shows no prices for any maker.
Yes. With the free PostPro benchmark you send AMT your parts, and AMT vapor smooths them and sends them back with before-and-after photos and a benchmark report.
The SFX and SF2X are desktop systems. The SF50 and SF100 are floor-standing systems for production batches. Help me choose asks a few questions about your parts and suggests a system.
No. It compares the systems listed, using specifications their makers publish. It is not a survey of every system on the market.
Next step
Starting prices are public and the cost-per-part math is yours to check, with no email needed for either. The free benchmark puts your own parts, vapor smoothed, in your hands.
01Quote
Pick a system and its options, and send AMT an itemized quotation request. Each system shows its starting price.
02ROI
Compare your cost per part with manual finishing, using your own labor rate and volumes. Every assumption is editable.
03Benchmark
Ship us your parts with a prepaid label. We vapor smooth them and send them back with before-and-after photos and a benchmark report.
No cost to evaluate · Parts returned · Typical turnaround 2–3 weeks
Prices: starting prices, excluding tax and shipping; everything else is priced in your quotation.
Not sure which system? Help me choose