Improving comfort and hygiene in 3D-printed upper limb prosthetics with vapor smoothing

Why the surface matters

For prosthetics worn against the body, surface finish plays a critical role. Raw 3D-printed parts can create friction, trap contaminants and get in the way of daily activities.

Vapor smoothing addresses these challenges by creating a sealed, low-friction surface that enhances comfort, improves hygiene, and increases resistance to wear and staining.

Personal by design

The process also supports highly personalized prosthetic designs, including color variations, custom graphics and even tattoos, which helps patients feel confident in and connected to their prosthesis.

The result

By integrating additive manufacturing with post-processing, the clinic has built a workflow that delivers patient-ready prosthetics with consistent quality and improved long-term performance.