How to print transparent?

Bambu Lab X1 Series
1

Hello!

I got the idea of printing a transparent sphere which should work as a “glass” christmas bauble. After getting my hands on a (too?) cheap transparent filament, I managed to print this:

xmas

The result is kind of yellowish-translucent but not transparent. So I started reading and reading and learned that it depends on a lot of factors if the result should be really transparent. I found advises for the filament, for the height of the layers, for post-processing, for hot end temperature, for printing speed etc, but all where kind of vague or even contradictory.

So I was wondering if someone could share concrete advises especially for the X1, perhaps which filament you are using etc.

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I’am using Aktiveme transparennt PETG fom Amazone printed in vase mode nozzle 0,4 all line with 0.6 temp 235

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PETG makes the most translucent prints. I think I have read, somewhere, that there is a brand that makes a very translucent filament. This could be outdated, so you have to Google or YT.

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4

You might want to start from here:
https://www.printables.com/model/15310-how-to-print-glass
or here:
https://www.printables.com/model/403221-printing-glass-on-p1p

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And check the Makes & Comments section on this one, as there are a few X1C owners who showed their prints and some of their settings.

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7

Dead Post revival here.

Apparently I’ve done a ‘Speed kills Transparency’ demo.

These are all the same filament on the same day. The transparent one back right is on an MK3S+ and the other two on the X1.
Notice on the tips of the front one when the X1 slowed down to keep layer time it went back to transparent.

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Thanks again for your replies! Yes, printing transparent seems only to be possible when doing it very slowly.

I managed to print a really good transparent block from the instructions in:
https://www.printables.com/de/model/403221-printing-glass-on-p1p

But using the same instructions to print a sphere the result wasn’t as transparent:

IMG_7628
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Any ideas how to improve the sphere?

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About to start down this same road as you for making clear balls. Ive done resin pours before.

The ball you have isnt clear because of the layer lines. Light is being defracted at each line. Youll need to find a way to remove the layer lines before it will be a clear see through. Most likely on the inside and outside. Which means printing in two parts, sanding the heck out of it with progressively finer grits. Then gluing together after its clear.

Its also possible you could get less defraction through playing with settings. But there will always be some defraction at the corners of each layer line.

You could also try melting the layer lines off either chemically or with heat.

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Try Vase mode with a 0,8 nozzle and max possible wall thickness.

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I’d also throw in:

  1. A bit more heat usually helps, you want to really melt it in.
  2. PETG is one of the best “transparent” filaments. EDIT: a repeat …
  3. Be sure you’re printing with ultra dry filament. Even a little moisture will make it cloudy.
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Also have a look here.

And other then that. Sanding, sanding, sanding. Up to 12k grid or more if the geometry of the print allows.

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Hi,
If you still have lots of transparent PLA around, I’ve been working on the same thing.
Have a look at my post on transparency - especially my Update 2, with the settings I have been using, which ended up being item 7.

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