This is what I get. Any ideas?
What settings did you use? Did you implement the recommendations in the recommended threads (scroll to top)?
And what are you trying to achieve? A primitive cube of how many mm?
Yes. The first problem is the use of Bambu Transparent filament. It is NOT transparent. Review the threads linked above and you will find recommendation for tested filaments that are capable of transparency approach near-optical clarity. You’ll never get perfect but you get much close than your example.
The other thing I see is that you didn’t follow the parameters set in the “ice” linked above. The dead giveaway is the double walls. Please go back and download that profile and try to print it again.
Last but not least, make sure that your following the instructions laid out in the links above. 
(hint…hint)
No tips but will be following this topic because in a near future i will need to use some clear filament.
I have put quite a few resources through ChatGPT 4o. Here is the result:
Based on the insights across your resources, here’s a consolidated guide for achieving high transparency in PETG prints with your BambuLab X1C:
Key Settings and Adjustments:
- Filament Drying:
• Dry your PETG at 60–70°C for 8+ hours to prevent moisture, which causes bubbles and cloudiness .
- Nozzle Size and Layer Thickness:
• Larger Nozzles (0.6mm to 0.8mm) can reduce the number of print lines, improving clarity by reducing intersections .
• Use 0.1mm layer height to keep layers compact and maintain clarity .
- Temperature Settings:
• Extruder Temperature: Higher temperatures (265-270°C) help with melt flow and adhesion, minimizing voids and enhancing transparency .
• Chamber and Build Plate: Maintain an ambient chamber temperature of around 30–40°C and print on a smooth PEI plate, but apply glue or hairspray to prevent sticking damage .
- Cooling Settings:
• Turn all fans off for the print’s duration. Slow cooling allows for a smoother, clear finish by preventing rapid shrinkage and uneven cooling .
- Flow Rate and Speed:
• Flow Rate: Increase to around 1.01 to improve layer consistency and achieve a more glass-like quality .
• Print Speed: Keep it slow, ideally 20mm/s or below, as higher speeds can introduce cloudiness .
- Infill and Wall Adjustments:
• Set 0 top and bottom shell layers with 100% infill and adjust infill to 0° or 90° to ensure straight, consistent lines .
• Using single wall prints without internal structures helps in maintaining transparency .
- Post-Processing (Optional):
• For further transparency, polish surfaces using a clear coating or carefully sand/polish if compatible with your material .
Additional Tips:
• Testing various filament brands, like Overture Clear PETG or HZST3D PC-PETG, can make a significant difference as some are formulated better for translucency .
• Experiment with models that are simple and uniformly shaped for best transparency outcomes, as complex structures often scatter light .
These settings are aimed at creating a clear, glass-like finish but may require iterative adjustments depending on the specific PETG blend you’re using. Let me know if you want specific tuning advice on any of these settings!
And this is ChatGPT 01-preview.
Achieving High Clarity and Strength in Transparent PETG Prints: Comprehensive Settings and Method
Introduction
Printing transparent PETG with high clarity and strength is a challenging but rewarding process. By carefully optimizing your printer settings, filament preparation, and printing environment, you can produce prints that are not only visually impressive but also mechanically robust. Based on the extensive discussions, resources, and user experiences shared, I have consolidated the most successful settings and methods to help you achieve the best possible results.
Comprehensive Recommendations
1. Filament Selection and Preparation
• Choose High-Quality Transparent PETG:
• Recommended Filament: Overture Clear PETG is highly regarded for its excellent transparency and consistent performance.
• Alternative Options: While Overture is recommended, other high-quality transparent PETG filaments can also yield good results, though adjustments may be necessary.
• Dry the Filament Thoroughly:
• Importance: PETG is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture from the air, leading to bubbles, cloudiness, and weak layer adhesion.
• Drying Procedure:
• Temperature: Dry the filament at 50-60°C (122-140°F).
• Duration: For at least 6-8 hours before printing.
• Storage During Printing: Keep the filament in a dry box or sealed container with desiccant to prevent reabsorption of moisture.
2. Printer Settings
• Nozzle Size and Line Width:
• Nozzle Size: Use a 0.4 mm nozzle. A 0.6 mm nozzle can also be used and may reduce the number of extruded lines, potentially improving clarity.
• Line Width: Set the line width to 0.5 mm for a 0.4 mm nozzle (adjust proportionally for different nozzle sizes).
• Layer Height:
• Setting: Use a 0.1 mm layer height.
• Reasoning: This provides a balance between print quality and time, reducing the number of layer interfaces that can scatter light.
• Printing Speed:
• Set All Speeds to Slow:
• Recommendation: 20 mm/s or slower for all print movements.
• Impact: Slower speeds allow the filament more time to fuse properly, enhancing transparency and strength.
• Temperature Settings:
• Nozzle Temperature:
• Start at: 265°C.
• Adjustment: If you experience issues like filament bubbling or heat creep (clogs due to heat traveling up the filament), reduce the temperature in 5°C increments.
• Bed Temperature:
• Setting: 75-80°C.
• Importance: Higher nozzle temperatures improve layer adhesion and reduce internal voids but must be balanced to prevent filament degradation.
• Flow Rate (Extrusion Multiplier):
• Increase Slightly:
• Setting: 102-105%.
• Purpose: Slight over-extrusion fills gaps between lines and layers, reducing internal voids that scatter light.
• Cooling Settings:
• Disable Part Cooling Fans:
• Setting: Turn off all cooling fans during the print.
• Effect: Prevents rapid cooling that can cause uneven shrinkage and poor layer adhesion.
• Infill Settings:
• Density:
• Set to: 99%.
• Reasoning: Setting infill density to 99% (instead of 100%) can prevent the slicer from alternating infill directions between layers, maintaining consistent infill alignment.
• Pattern:
• Use Linear Infill: Align infill lines at 0° or 90°.
• Top and Bottom Layers:
• Set to: 0 layers.
• Purpose: Eliminates surfaces that can scatter light and ensures consistent internal structure.
• Walls and Shells:
• Perimeters (Wall Loops):
• Set to: 2 walls.
• Reasoning: Provides structural integrity while minimizing light-scattering interfaces.
• Infill Overlap:
• Ensure Proper Overlap: Adjust settings to prevent gaps between infill and walls.
• Retraction Settings:
• Adjust if Necessary:
• If experiencing stringing or oozing, fine-tune retraction distance and speed.
3. Printer Environment
• Use an Enclosure:
• Purpose: Maintains a stable and warm environment, reducing the risk of warping and improving layer adhesion.
• Ambient Temperature: Aim for chamber temperatures around 30-39°C (86-102°F).
• Chamber Door and Top Cover:
• Keep Closed: Helps maintain consistent internal temperatures.
• Chamber Fan:
• Optional: Users report minimal impact, but you can experiment with turning it off to see if it improves results.
4. Slicer Configuration
• Software:
• Use Bambu Studio or Orca Slicer: These profiles are optimized for these slicers.
• Import Provided Profiles:
• Process and Filament Profiles: Use the profiles provided by Adam L or similar profiles tailored for transparent PETG.
• Infill Alignment:
• Set Sparse Infill Density to 99%:
• Prevents alternating infill directions between layers, maintaining consistency.
• Check Slicer Previews:
• Verify Infill Direction: Ensure that infill lines are aligned layer by layer.
• Other Settings:
• Disable Features that May Affect Clarity:
• Ironing: Generally, ironing is disabled as it can introduce artifacts and increase print time.
• Ensure No Additional Cooling: Confirm that all cooling settings are off.
5. Monitoring and Adjustments
• Watch for Heat Creep and Clogs:
• Symptoms: Filament jams or clogs after extended printing.
• Solutions:
• Lower Nozzle Temperature: Reduce in 5°C increments.
• Ensure Hotend Cooling: Verify that the heat break cooling fan is functioning properly.
• Increase Printing Speed Slightly: If heat creep persists, a slight increase in speed may help.
• Observe Print Quality:
• Clarity Consistency: Check if the print remains clear throughout or becomes cloudy partway.
• Adjust Settings Accordingly: If issues arise, adjust temperature, speed, or flow rate.
• Filament Moisture:
• If Cloudiness Appears:
• Pause and Redry Filament: Moisture may have been absorbed during printing.
6. Post-Processing Techniques
• Surface Polishing:
• Sanding:
• Use Progressive Grits: Start with a coarse grit and move to finer grits (e.g., 200, 400, 800, 1000, 2000).
• Wet Sanding: Can reduce heat and prevent melting.
• Polishing:
• Use Plastic Polish or Buffing Compounds: Apply gently to achieve a smooth surface.
• Mechanical Polishing Tools:
• Use with Caution: Avoid generating heat that could deform the print.
• Heat Treatment (Flame Polishing):
• Carefully Apply Heat:
• Method: Use a heat gun or lighter to gently melt the surface.
• Caution: Excessive heat can deform or discolor the print.
• Clear Coatings:
• Apply Clear Acrylic Spray or Epoxy Resin:
• Effect: Fills in microscopic surface imperfections, enhancing transparency.
7. Additional Tips
• Be Patient:
• Accept Longer Print Times: High-quality transparent prints require slow speeds.
• Start with Simple Models:
• Calibration Prints: Use simple shapes to fine-tune settings before attempting complex models.
• Use High-Quality Filament:
• Consistency Matters: Variations in filament diameter or composition can affect print quality.
• Experiment with Nozzle Sizes:
• Try a 0.6 mm Nozzle:
• Potential Benefit: Fewer extruded lines may reduce internal interfaces that scatter light.
• Maintain Equipment:
• Ensure Printer is Well-Calibrated:
• Bed Leveling: Accurate bed leveling is crucial for consistent layer adhesion.
• Extruder Calibration: Verify that the extruder is delivering the correct amount of filament.
Summary
To achieve the most successful transparent PETG prints with high clarity and strength:
• Select and Prepare Filament Carefully:
• Use Overture Clear PETG or similar high-quality transparent PETG.
• Dry the filament thoroughly before and during printing.
• Optimize Printer Settings:
• Use a 0.4 mm or 0.6 mm nozzle with appropriate line width.
• Set layer height to 0.1 mm.
• Slow down printing speeds to 20 mm/s or less.
• Increase nozzle temperature to around 265°C, adjusting as needed.
• Turn off all cooling fans.
• Set infill density to 99% with linear infill aligned in one direction.
• Use 2 perimeters and set top and bottom layers to 0.
• Control the Printing Environment:
• Print in an enclosed chamber with stable temperatures.
• Keep the chamber door and top cover closed.
• Monitor and Adjust:
• Watch for signs of heat creep or filament moisture.
• Adjust settings based on observations.
• Post-Process to Enhance Clarity:
• Sand and polish the surface if necessary.
• Carefully apply heat to smooth the surface.
• Be Prepared to Experiment:
• Adjust settings based on your specific printer, filament batch, and environmental conditions.
Final Thoughts
Achieving near-glass-like transparency with PETG on an FDM printer is challenging and requires careful attention to detail, patience, and willingness to experiment. The settings and methods provided are a comprehensive starting point, but you may need to fine-tune parameters to suit your specific situation.
Remember:
• Moisture Control is Crucial: Always ensure your filament is dry.
• Consistency is Key: Maintain consistent printing conditions.
• Adjust as Needed: Don’t hesitate to tweak settings based on your results.
• Patience Pays Off: High-quality transparent prints take time.
By following these recommendations and being attentive to your printer’s performance, you should be able to produce transparent PETG prints with impressive clarity and strength. Good luck with your printing endeavors!
1 Like
This is interesting indeed! Could you share the exact prompts you used with ChatGPT? While I really enjoy using it and have the paid version and have embedded it into my day job, I’ve found it can be a blunt instrument without prompt refinement. Seeing your initial prompt would help me learn more about fine-tuning, and I might also be able to suggest tweaks to avoid the encyclopedic word salad seen above.
The prompts are PDF pages exported from various resources, including this forum. I simply asked to synthesize.
You can find them on my Dropbox: Dropbox
I am not going to keep these for long, so please have a look soon.
Working now. I just had to increase the flow rate a little more. Looks amazing. Thanks to everyone who developed this technique!
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You are clearly doing well, but, in case you are interested I made this a while ago. I had better luck with Transparent PLA. Neither of my filaments used here were from BL.
I used a polishing cream (autosol) and it’s getting quite satin. I think doing it a little longer would get it almost glossy.
And it’s really transparent now.
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Thank you for all your work. It’s really amazing.
I need to use PETG now, but I’ll definitely try the PLA one.
Also, is the PETG profile in the link you shared significantly better than your older one?
My older one (PETG only) was just a profile on someone else’s work, the one in the link above is based on additional effort.
Mine is straight of the printer without loss of speed.
No creams or post-processing in my photos which would make it even better.
have some transparent creality PETG I haven’t tried yet, thanks for the file!!!
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Glad to hear of your success. That piece looks great!!! I’m also glad you found the collective work of everyone here but specifically we have to acknowledge @ExtremeElementz efforts who got this whole thing started.
One last tip I learned well after this thread was posted. For I final glass-like finish and only after you’ve done all the fine sanding, I found that watch crystal polish is amazing. The dominant product I found used by watch restorers is called PolyWatch. There may be others out there. This stuff is what jewlers use to remove the last fine scratches from glass and plastic.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Plastic+Watch+Crystal+Scratch+Remover
The one tip I will share is when you apply it using a Dremel, you want to be careful at using lower speeds and pulling the polishing tip away periodically during the process. If you leave it on too long, the plastic heats up and starts to melt. By “tapping” it as you polish at lower speeds, you ensure that only the abrasive is doing the job.
These buffing wheels work best for this sort of task. I found the wool ball-shaped wheels to be better than the cotton wheels
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I’ve tried using this profile but for some reason it is printing all the outer walls first and then the infill which is failing as soon as it switches to the infill. What setting would be controlling that.