Everything You Need to Know about Transparent 3D Printing

Sometimes, you may want a part to be transparent for aesthetic reasons, and other times, transparency is a functional necessity. In either case, 3D printing’s flexibility in terms of design, materials and processes makes it possible to create parts with a transparent effect. This can be a difficult task since the very principle of the 3D printing, i.e. the superimposition of layers, creates spaces that light cannot pass through. However, transparency is still possible to achieve. Glass, for instance, is great for creating transparent parts and it is emerging as a viable material for 3D printing. But because 3D printing glass is less common, in this article, we focus on plastics.

Before delving into the subject, it is important to distinguish between transparency and translucency. Transparent pieces allow the passage of a greater amount of light without visible distortions, so you can see perfectly through the piece. Translucent pieces, on the other hand, allow diffused light to pass through, meaning that the image we see through the pieces is not completely clear. Here, we will analyze two technologies compatible with transparent plastic materials, the factors to consider with each technology and the applications of transparent 3D parts.

Technologies to Achieve Transparent 3D Parts

Resin-Based Processes

When you think of transparent 3D printing, the first thing that comes to mind is the use of resin-based processes. Vat photopolymerization (SLA, DLP) is one of the ideal technologies for achieving high-quality, highly transparent parts, as the resulting surfaces are smooth and let more light through. There are several transparent resins on the market with properties to suit different clear optics applications. For example, Formlabs Clear Resin for SLA printers is a resin that produces parts close to the transparency of glass, with fine detail and without the need for time-consuming post-processing.