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Best way to post process clear pla  

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GBbiker
(@gbbiker)
Active Member
Best way to post process clear pla

so, i am making a few curved windows for a small car, using fillamentum crystal clear pla. Generic PLA settings on the MMU2

the problem i am having is that the layering is showing worse than i thought it would, and on top of that its not a consistent thickness (but i think thats my fault)

back to the OP, whats the best way to clean them up, if there even is one, my tests i tried going down to 1200 grit, it helps, but is a PITA to do, is there another method that would be simpler (esp as the parts are quite thin (0.3-0.6)) or is elbow grease the only way to do it.

only had the MK3S a month so experimenting with stuff still...

TIA

Best Answer by Nikolai:

I think the easiest method would be to use SLA printer 🙂

But check out this links:

https://www.matterhackers.com/news/how-to-smooth-and-finish-your-pla-prints
https://rigid.ink/blogs/news/how-to-finish-your-3d-prints

 

P.

Posted : 18/06/2019 5:03 pm
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: Best way to post process clear pla

Clear ABS and Acetone Vapor refinishing.  I haven't done it, but read somewhere it provides a faired base to polish.

For PLA - the times I've tried transparent, I've come to the conclusion optically clear and transparent are not the same, and as such have reduced my expectations.  Transparent is great for lamp lenses, lousy for windows.  

Posted : 18/06/2019 5:10 pm
GBbiker liked
Nikolai
(@nikolai)
Noble Member
RE: Best way to post process clear pla

I think the easiest method would be to use SLA printer 🙂

But check out this links:

https://www.matterhackers.com/news/how-to-smooth-and-finish-your-pla-prints
https://rigid.ink/blogs/news/how-to-finish-your-3d-prints

 

Often linked posts:
Going small with MMU2
Real Multi Material
My prints on Instagram

Posted : 18/06/2019 5:11 pm
GBbiker
(@gbbiker)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Best way to post process clear pla

thanks for the responses

 

P.

P.

Posted : 18/06/2019 10:37 pm
GBbiker
(@gbbiker)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Best way to post process clear pla

update,

thickened them to 0.3 and printed at 0.3 instead of 0.15 (so a single layer wide as opposed to two) after reading the articles above and knowing what to search for 🙂

also raised the first layer temp to 220 (from 215) and other layers to 210 (from 205)

produced a much better result, the 0.15 was impairing the transparency due to the doubling over per layer, the output is much better, i also printed with a 0.6 brim to make sure it stuck

its a much coarser print, but has much improved transparency

thanks again for the info

P.

This post was modified 5 years ago by GBbiker

P.

Posted : 18/06/2019 11:35 pm
Peter M
(@peter-m)
Noble Member
RE: Best way to post process clear pla

There is also filament that you can smooth with alcohol, but i lost the name, search with google on this.

This is clear filament, after the alcohol it looks like glass, i saw this on youtube.

 

Posted : 21/06/2019 2:34 pm
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