With the advancement of 3D printing technology, there are more and more materials that can be 3D printed. You can now print various transparent parts with transparent photosensitive resin in 3D prototyping.

The properties of transparent photosensitive resins are as follows:

Strengths: good optical clarity and moisture resistance, easy to use.

Weaknesses: not firm enough.

Its main applications are the following:

  • Conceptual and functional prototypes for fluid flow analysis
  • Functional testing in optical transmission industries
  • Prototypes for automotive headlights and taillights
  • Prototypes for external electronic screens
  • Handicrafts, etc.

3D printed transparent photosensitive resin parts can achieve different transparency effects by applying varying surface treatments.

1. Translucent effect

The transparent resin that has just been 3D printed can be sanded slightly to get a translucent effect.

2. Translucent white effect

The more sanded, the whiter the translucent finishing.

3. Translucent frosted effect

By sandblasting, the transparent 3D printed parts can obtain a frosted surface.

4. Full transparency effect

Photosensitive resin that is transparent can be made completely transparent after 3D printing by polishing, painting, and applying UV coating.

5. Milk-white effect

UV treatment can give the polished transparent photosensitive resin parts a milky white appearance.

6. Special effects

When the resin from 3D printing is treated with full transparency, it can then be painted on different parts to create the effect of some parts having color and others being transparent.

7. Coloured transparent effect

A 3D printed transparent resin can be fully transparent and then painted to produce colored transparency or gradient transparency effect.

In fact, the material with the best optical effect in rapid prototyping is PMMA, which has a better light transmission and is more resilient. It is usually processed by CNC machining or vacuum casting (using PMMA-like materials).
Stay tuned with X Rapid Technologies to know more about rapid prototyping!