Recently, new 3D printers have popped up in many places, but their abilities vary. Some only deal with printing clear plastic.
Can 3D Printers Print Clear Plastic?
Yes. 3D printers can print clear plastic, but it takes a special kind of printer that uses lasers to harden the liquid resin into the desired shape. Most high-end 3D printers use these lasers. The resin they use is translucent so the result looks a lot like plastic.
Manufacturers advertise that these printers can print clear plastic, but they are not all the same. Some have been known to crack, or even to have fire or explosion issues. Luckily most of these devices do not exist anymore because the digital design models for 3D-printed objects allow for much more detailed settings in terms of dimensions and colors.
What Is A Liquid Resin And How Does It Harden Into The Desired Shape?
A liquid resin is a substance that can be 3D-printed into clear plastic. The resin is made from polymers that are dissolved in organic solvents like ethanol and acetone. They can also be made of polymers dissolved in water, commonly known as water-soluble polymers. These polymers are then placed into a syringe which is attached to the 3D printer and then solidifies at room temperature when exposed to ultraviolet light or heated.
Some 3D printers use a process called stereolithography. This process uses ultraviolet lasers to solidify the resin as it is extruded out of the nozzle, and it moves through the air.
The other process is called selective laser sintering. The printer uses tiny droplets of metal to harden specific portions of a layer of powdered plastic, which builds up into something solid over time.
Benefits Of 3D Printing Clear Plastic
3D printing is better than many other forms of manufacturing and creating objects. For one, 3D-printed clear plastic can be thinner than other forms of manufactured plastic. This means that 3D-printed clear plastic can be used to replace glass in many instances, which is great considering that glass will soon be a rare resource for use in windows and more, as the demand increases dramatically. To top it off, 3D-printed clear plastic can be made with less waste. The printer only uses what is needed.
The uses for clear 3D-printed plastic are perhaps even greater than the uses for traditional forms of plastic. You can make a lot of things out of it, like computer parts and furniture. This means that you could have your computer monitor on your desk without a large and bulky support structure holding it up.
The future uses for clear 3D-printed plastic are even greater than the uses for traditional forms of plastic. They can replace glass in many instances, which is great considering that glass will soon be a rare resource for use in windows and more.
In Conclusion
As far as 3D printers are going, those that print clear plastic are rare. The most common printers are used in the production of more traditional objects like toys, and other forms of ugly plastic usually seen in construction pieces or car parts. If you want to see something truly unique and special, then you should see for yourself what 3D printing can do when it comes to clear plastic.
