Core advantages
It can achieve a transparent effect, fine surface, high molding precision, excellent detail performance, suitable for complex exterior structures, for displaying internal structures, and for producing transparent appearance samples.
Material Database
Clear Resin – Transparent
High-precision 3D printed transparent materials suitable for transparent appearance display, internal structure observation, product verification, and rapid prototyping.
Material description
Clear Resin – Transparent is a transparent resin material used for photocuring 3D printing, suitable for creating product models that require internal structure observation, display of transparent appearance, verification of optical shapes, or production of transparent samples. It features high molding precision, excellent detail performance, and the ability to achieve transparent or semi-transparent effects. However, transparency is affected by printing layers, support marks, polishing, transparent paint spraying, part thickness, and post-curing results.
3D PrintingPlastics
Material compatibility assessment
By focusing on application scenarios, boundaries of advantages, and non-recommended scenarios, it helps sales, customer service, and quoting staff quickly determine whether the material meets current part requirements.
Suitable for the product
Transparent appearance prototypes, transparent display models, lampshade samples, light guide structure verification parts, transparent housing models, medical device transparent samples, consumer electronics transparent housing models, fluid observation models, internal structure display parts, and small-batch transparent samples.
Not suitable for the product
High-precision optical lenses, long-term load-bearing components, high-temperature use parts, high-impact parts, outdoor long-term use parts, long-term immersion parts, high-frequency snap-on fasteners, high-strength threaded parts, and final functional components requiring long-term optical transparency.
Key parameter references
The following parameters come from product information and material knowledge fields, used for design review, quotation communication, and preliminary judgment before material selection.
| Material positioning | High-precision 3D printed transparent materials suitable for transparent appearance display, internal structure observation, product verification, and rapid prototyping. |
|---|---|
| Precision performance | Clear Resin – Transparent usually has good molding precision, suitable for ordinary appearance parts, transparent structure verification parts, and assembly verification parts. Actual accuracy is affected by part dimensions, printing direction, support position, cleaning, post-curing, grinding and polishing, and transparent paint thickness. |
| Dimensional tolerances | Standard dimensional tolerances can refer to ± 0.10mm to ±0.30mm. This value is a reference value for conventional processes and does not guarantee the absolute tolerance of all structures. If transparent parts require sanding, polishing, or applying clear paint, local dimensions may change. It is recommended to reserve margin for precision assembly positions and perform post-processing if necessary. |
| Minimum Wall Thickness | It is recommended that the wall thickness be no less than 1.0mm. For small non-stressed appearances, localized areas can be about 0.8mm, but large-area use is not recommended. Transparent thin-walled parts are prone to deformation, support marks, and post-processing damage; for large transparent parts, the wall thickness should be no less than 1.5mm. |
| Recommended wall thickness | For ordinary transparent exterior parts, 1.2mm-2.0mm is recommended; parts that require polishing, transparent paint, or transport protection should be appropriately thickened; For large transparent shells, it is recommended to add reinforcing ribs or locally thicken them to avoid deformation and cracking. |
| Minimum aperture | The recommended aperture is no less than 1.0mm. Small pores in transparent resin may shrink due to resin residue, insufficient cleaning, or post-curing effects. It is recommended to reserve machining allowance for precision holes, screw holes, and assembly holes, and drill holes later if necessary. |
| Assembly clearance | For ordinary assembly, it is recommended to reserve 0.15mm-0.30mm on one side; for movable fits, 0.30mm-0.50mm should be reserved on one side; if polishing, transparent paint, or UV coating is needed later, an additional gap of about 0.10mm-0.20mm should be added on one side. |
| Detailed performance | Raised text, fine textures, and decorative lines are recommended to be no less than 0.3mm-0.5mm. Transparent materials reduce the visual contrast of some shallow relief details, and if the details are too small, they may weaken during printing, cleaning, sanding, polishing, or clear paint spraying. |
| Surface effect | The original surface is usually transparent, semi-transparent, or slightly matte with a transparent effect, with slight layering and support marks visible. After fine polishing, polishing, and transparent paint spraying, transparency, glossiness, and visual texture are significantly improved, but it is usually still difficult to achieve the optical-grade transparency effect of injection-molded transparent Polycarbonate (PC) or acrylic Acrylic (PMMA). |
Typical application scenarios
Based on material characteristics and suitable product ranges, customer needs are broken down into easier application directions to determine.
Product validation
Transparent appearance prototypes, transparent display models, lampshade samples, light guide structure verification parts, transparent housing models, medical device transparent samples, consumer electronics transparent housing models, fluid observation models, internal structure display parts, and small-batch transparent samples.
Reasons for material selection
High-precision 3D printed transparent materials suitable for transparent appearance display, internal structure observation, product verification, and rapid prototyping.
Material characteristics
Clear Resin – Transparent can print transparent or semi-transparent parts, allowing customers to visually see the internal structure of the product or verify the transparent appearance. When first printed, there is usually a slight matte finish, layering, or support marks. After post-processing such as polishing, polishing, and applying clear paint, the transparency and surface texture are noticeably improved.
Design and risk review
Based on wall thickness, hole position, assembly clearance, dimensional tolerances, and material usage risks, determine in advance whether the part structure is suitable for Clear Resin – Transparent.
Design considerations
- When designing transparent parts, support on important appearance surfaces should be minimized as much as possible
- Avoid large-scale thin walls
- Sharp angle
- Slender structure and complex internal cavity that is difficult to clean
- It is recommended to reserve some post-processing allowance for key transparent surfaces
- Critical observation areas should avoid setting up support points
- Bonded seams and complex textures
Precision performanceClear Resin – Transparent usually has good molding precision, suitable for ordinary appearance parts, transparent structure verification parts, and assembly verification parts. Actual accuracy is affected by part dimensions, printing direction, support position, cleaning, post-curing, grinding and polishing, and transparent paint thickness.
Dimensional tolerancesStandard dimensional tolerances can refer to ± 0.10mm to ±0.30mm. This value is a reference value for conventional processes and does not guarantee the absolute tolerance of all structures. If transparent parts require sanding, polishing, or applying clear paint, local dimensions may change. It is recommended to reserve margin for precision assembly positions and perform post-processing if necessary.
Quality riskThe main risk of Clear Resin – Transparent is not whether it prints, but the final transparency, support marks, layering, yellowing, cavity residue, spray uniformity, and post-processing results. When the design is reasonable and carefully processed, it can achieve good display transparency; However, if you need effects close to glass, acrylic, or optical lenses, it is not recommended to use ordinary transparent photosensitive resin directly.
Surface effectThe original surface is usually transparent, semi-transparent, or slightly matte with a transparent effect, with slight layering and support marks visible. After fine polishing, polishing, and transparent paint spraying, transparency, glossiness, and visual texture are significantly improved, but it is usually still difficult to achieve the optical-grade transparency effect of injection-molded transparent Polycarbonate (PC) or acrylic Acrylic (PMMA).
Post-processing and assembly precautions
Post-processing of Clear Resin – Transparent affects appearance, dimensions, hole position, assembly clearance, and usage validation results, and should be explained in advance during quotation, DFM review, and sample confirmation stages.
Post-processing options
Post-processing should focus on appearance display, dimensional fitting, connection assembly, and testing verification. Parts involving assembly positions need to be reserved in advance for machining, coating, and trial assembly allowances.
Key control point
Size impactTransparent resin requires higher post-treatment standards; Support marks; grinding marks; Layering and uneven spraying can affect the transparency effect; Grinding slightly reduces local dimensions; Spraying transparent paint increases surface thickness; Gaps should be reserved in advance for assembly positions; The exterior surface of transparent parts should avoid support as much as possible
Assembly clearanceFor positions involving snapping, plugging, sliding, or enclosure closure, the clearance needs to be adjusted according to post-processing thickness, material shrinkage, and trial assembly results.
Hole Position StrengthThreading, inserting nuts, locking screws, and the areas around positioning holes need to ensure wall thickness to avoid cracks, stripped threads, or chipped edges during post-processing or assembly.
Environmental matchingWhen used in high-temperature, outdoor, humid, friction, or load-bearing scenarios, post-processing materials, adhesives, coatings, and fasteners must also meet the corresponding usage environment.
Structure and usage boundaries
For common issues such as threads, snaps, strength, temperature resistance, and weather resistance, identify in advance whether the material needs to be replaced or if another processing method should be used.
Thread Recommendation
Applicable ScopeIt can be used for low-strength tapping verification, but it is not recommended to directly print high-strength threads or frequently remove and install threads.
Risk pointTransparent resin threads are prone to cracks due to stress concentration. If reliable connections are needed, it is recommended to use embedded nuts, post-processing threads, or switch to CNC transparent Polycarbonate (PC)/Acrylic (PMMA).
Recommended practiceIt is recommended to confirm wall thickness, fillets, assembly clearances, and post-processing effects in advance during drawing review, and to switch to more suitable materials or processes if necessary.
Buckle recommendation
Applicable ScopeOrdinary transparent photosensitive resin is not suitable for high-frequency snap-on structures.
Risk pointTransparent resin generally has average toughness, and when the clip is under force, it is prone to whitening, cracking, or breaking.
Recommended practiceIf a snap must be designed, add rounded corners, thicken the root, reduce deformation, and use it as much as possible for low-frequency assembly verification.
Strength and Environment
Mechanical strengthMedium strength, relatively high hardness, but average toughness.
Environmental boundarySuitable for transparent appearance verification, dimensional verification, and low-strength structural verification; not recommended for long-term load-bearing, high-impact, or high-frequency fatigue functional parts.
Recommended practiceOrdinary transparent photosensitive resin has average temperature resistance and is recommended for use in ambient environments. It is not suitable for long-term exposure to high-temperature environments, nor is it recommended for final functional parts near heat sources or strong light sources. High temperatures may cause deformation, yellowing, or performance degradation. Prolonged UV exposure may cause transparent resin to yellow, age, become brittle, or lose its transparency. If used for display pieces or requiring high transparency, it is recommended to avoid prolonged direct sunlight and apply transparent paint, UV coating, or surface protection treatment.
Alternative material selection and final judgment
When customer demand exceeds Clear Resin – Transparent material boundaries, it is necessary to combine strength, temperature resistance, toughness, long-term stability, and mass production goals to promptly recommend alternative materials or processing technologies.
Alternative material suggestions
If higher transparency and effects closer to mass-produced plastic are needed, CNC-machined acrylic Acrylic (PMMA) or Polycarbonate (PC) transparent sheets can be chosen; If higher impact resistance is required, CNC transparent Polycarbonate (PC) can be chosen; If only semi-transparent display effects are needed, you can choose regular post-treatment with transparent photosensitive resin; If mass production of transparent parts is needed, it is recommended to consider materials such as injection molded Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylic (PMMA), or transparent ABS.
Material selection suggestions
If customers mainly focus on transparent exterior display, internal structure observation, and rapid prototyping, Clear Resin – Transparent is a suitable choice. If customers care about high light transmittance, long-term weather resistance, impact resistance, high-temperature resistance, or true optical-grade transparency, priority should be given to CNC transparent Polycarbonate (PC), CNC acrylic Acrylic (PMMA), or injection-molded transparent materials.
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