The best option for 3D printing in near-transparent plastic is SLA Accura ClearVue with a Quick Clear finish. This auto-quoting option prints the part in a clear resin, then receives a post-process treatment of a clear coat (paint) to even the surface and leave a transparent, glossy finish. Think of clear ice as the final appearance. This is not the same as a full polish, such as finishing a headlight, which would require a custom review and pricing due to significant manual labor. The video below shows some Quick Clear parts.
Although they are not optically clear, we have several materials that can hit different needs from light pipes to case bodies. Stereolithography (SLA) is a go-to for transparent or translucent parts. Clear SLA options include Accura 60, Accura ClearVue, Formlabs Clear V5, Somos WaterClear Ultra 10122, and Somos Watershed XC 11122. SLA parts will have an icicle-like translucency on unsupported features but are matte on features that require a sacrificial support structure. Note that the default finish is matte, so standard or strip-and-ship finishes should be selected if natural translucency is required. SLA parts can be post-finished or polished for higher levels of transparency.
Photo of a part printed via SLA in Formlabs Clear V5 with a standard finish.
Our PolyJet 3D printed Translucent Rigid Photopolymer (VeroClear) has a frosted translucent finish that can be polished. We also offer FDM 3D printed ABSi, which has a diffused translucency in tints of natural, orange, and red (such as car tail lights). FDM PC-ISO is also a translucent filament in its natural state.
Photo of a clear part printed via PolyJet in our Translucent Clear Rigid Photopolymer.
Ultimately, no 3D process can make a perfect transparent or translucent solution out of the machine without significant processing. Milled materials like clear polycarbonate can sometimes be a better fit, but will have milling marks (small swirls) on any subtracted surface. Xometry can review to make a clear part through significant manual labor and/or additional post-processing techniques. Still, often the price can be an order-of-magnitude higher than the standard offering.
Photo of clear polycarbonate that has been CNC machined.
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