A mini vibrational polishing machine produced by 3D printing

A small vibrational polishing machine (MiniViP) has been designed and constructed almost entirely from 3D printing. The purpose of MiniViP is to produce high quality damage-free surfaces suitable for metallogaphic and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The experimental device can be self-made by any laboratory with a 3D printer. Combined with use of biodegradable filaments, MiniViP can help research labs reach their sustainable development goals. Design principles and materials are discussed and the device is evaluated by preparing samples from aluminium, brass, copper and nickel and examining the quality of etched surfaces and EBSD grain orientation maps.