Depowdering is a critical post-processing step in metal additive manufacturing, especially for parts with internal cavities. However, trapped powder in vertical walls or blind holes can complicate the process, adding time and increasing contamination risk. One easy design tweak? Tapered walls.
By sloping internal vertical walls at an angle between 30° and 45°, engineers can drastically improve powder flow during depowdering. The angled surfaces create a gravity-assisted path that encourages loose powder to escape, reducing the amount of residual material stuck inside the part.
This small adjustment offers big benefits: less powder buildup, lighter components, and fewer issues during inspection or downstream processing. It also minimizes the chance of powder-related contamination, especially critical in aerospace, medical, or food-grade applications.
Incorporating tapered walls is a smart, proactive way to design for additive manufacturing. It helps engineers create parts that are not only easier to print, but also easier to clean, test, and trust in the field.