Clear/translucent filament help.
I need to make a fibre sight out of a green translucent or clear material. I am looking for advice about what would be a suitable filament to use as I have just ordered a small sample and whilst it is very bright it seems to be a solid colour not transparent in any way.
In the top image you can see the view looking into the long hollow section of the sights. The one with the glowing centre is a bought unit - the one that looks dark is using the filament I bought.
The lower image shows the bought unit with the fibre insert, the one on the right is the one I made with the supposed translucent filament which does not pass any light so no use for the job.
So does anyone know a suitable material for this task - is there one available?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Mick
RE: Clear/translucent filament help.
https://www.printables.com/model/15310-how-to-print-glass
Maybe find a green semi-translucent PETG and follow that guide.
There are also several colors of glow in the dark filaments that usually need a bit of uv(?) charging to get glowing. But I don't know if it passes luminescence throughout it's printed body. So it might not pass light from the 'charged' length to the mostly enclosed end-dot area. Or maybe you just need to print it like a hollow tube and it might? You'll also need a hardened nozzle since the glowing material is abrasive.
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RE: Clear/translucent filament help.
I would try taulman3D t-glase
https://taulman3d.com/t-glase-features.html
I have used it to make transparent vases and brake light and turn signal lenses for RC cars.
To make the lines from the 3D printing invisible, I coated the prints with a 3D epoxy called XTC-3D . https://www.smooth-on.com/product-line/xtc-3d/
RE: Clear/translucent filament help.
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/rods?s=Transparent+tinted+rod/
I probably print more things than I should but for your purpose I would insert something like a plastic rod. I don’t know if it’s worth the time but I think you would be more successful than printing the lens.
lf you want to experiment I would try some clear p v b thru a large nozzle with all layers orientated in the long axis of the part then isopropyl smooth learn and repeat.