No other manufacturing process produces clear components for product development more cost-effectively than 3D printing.
Achieving transparent 3D printed parts can be challenging if you do not have the right material and technology; 3D printing enables increased design complexity due to the way parts are created one layer at a time.
The additive process allows intricate, highly complex geometries and features, that are constraints by the traditional manufacturing methods, to be produced.
With the right materials and post-processing techniques, 3D printing can produce clear parts that stimulate the appearance of glass, polycarbonate, acrylic and other transparent materials, which is helpful for design verification where transparency is needed.
Applications and uses
Why do we need to use clear material???
Packaged Consumer Goods
- Bottles, cosmetics, cleaning products, personal care, etc.
- Lenses and light covers
- Housings and enclosures
- Complex assembly prototypes and verification
- Demonstration models and executive reviews
It’s because…
We want the most aesthetically clear part for packaged consumer goods
A visually accurate prototype is also known as an appearance model. When comparing an appearance model to a final product, the two should be virtually indistinguishable, with the frequent exception of scale and function.
As a testament to what is aesthetically possible with clear 3D printing, Orora, a glass bottle supplier, called on 3D Systems On Demand Manufacturing to produce a series of beer bottle prototypes that were included in in-store trials. Customers were unable tell the difference between the tinted 3D printed bottle and actual glass, and ultimately gravitated toward the 3D printed versions to confirm the new bottle design for Orora’s customer.
Automotive and Aerospace
- Lenses and light covers
- Fluid flow visualizations in sub-systems or components
- Moving vehicle turbulence and drag (ship, auto, train, bus)
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) verification
- Complex assembly prototypes and verification
It’s because…
We want the most aesthetically clear part for automotive lenses and headlamps
Clear 3D printing provides a quick and cost effective way to prototype clear parts.
TecNiq is a leading provider of LED lighting solutions based in Michigan that uses 3D Systems’ SLA 3D printing in almost every part of its business. According to company president Jeff Condon, clear 3D printing is serving both the engineering and business side of his organization. In terms of engineering, his team is able to use VisiJet® SL Clear prints to check snapfit functionality and address potential tooling problems in assemblies before they become larger issues.
From a business perspective, Condon says: “Customer decisions made since we’ve [introduced clear 3D printing] are delivering a measurable ROI.” TecNiq has even had two lamps meet U.S. Department of Transportation output specifications “right out of the printer,” according to Condon.
Industrial and Electronics
- Engine, turbine and transmission covers, housings, components
- Valves, pipes, pumps, pressure and flow devices
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) verification
- Light pipes and LED covers
It’s because…
We need visibility into a system or for visual evaluation of fluid flow
When testing fit, function, serviceability, and assembly, see-through parts replace guesswork with observation and insights.
Engineers in the filtration department at Parker Hannifin, the global leader in motion and control technologies, have reported great success using 3D Systems’ clear SLA materials to observe oil flow within a separator system, among other applications.
The speed and easy integration of 3D printing into Parker Hannifin’s workflow helped the company develop and prove an optimized prototype within three weeks according to its R&D Manager.
Healthcare and Dental
- Anatomical models
- Fluid flow in biological vessels and medical devices
- Medical models and devices
- Microfluidic devices
It’s because…
We need visibility through an anatomical model or drill guide
The ability to selectively color clear 3D prints is of great benefit in the field of anatomical modeling and surgical planning.
Selective coloring is particularly useful for obtaining a better visualization of specific anatomical features. Features such as veins, nerves and tooth roots, as well as masses such as tumors can be selectively colored in certain clear materials and used to help plan surgeries and for reference within the operating room.
Clear 3D printing is also popular for producing drill guides used in dental applications due to the ability to visually confirm that they are sitting properly.
Interested in learning more about clear materials and solutions for 3D printing?
Contact us now! We are ready to help you find the solution that suits your application.