3D Printing Materials

VeroClear

At a glance

Process

Polyjet

Lead Time

24 hours (rush)2 days (standard)

Colors

Clear

Resolution

0.016 mm

Price

$$$

Applications

Light pipes and prototypes that need optical transparency

Max Print Size

490 x 390 x 200 mm

About the Material

VeroClear is a transparent photopolymer material used in PolyJet 3D printing technology. It is known for its optical clarity, making it ideal for applications where transparency or translucency is required. Here are some common applications for VeroClear in 3D printing:

Prototyping Transparent Parts: VeroClear is used to create transparent prototypes of products and components, allowing designers to visualize internal structures and mechanisms.

Visual Models and Demonstrations: It is employed to produce transparent visual models for presentations, demonstrations, and exhibitions.

Architectural Models: VeroClear is used to create transparent architectural models, allowing architects and designers to showcase building designs with see-through features like windows and interior spaces.

Medical Models: In the medical field, VeroClear is used to create transparent anatomical models for surgical planning, medical training, and patient education.

Dental Models: Dentists and dental labs use VeroClear to produce transparent dental models for orthodontic planning, patient consultations, and the creation of clear aligners.

Fluid Flow Visualization: VeroClear is used to create models for visualizing fluid flow in various engineering and scientific applications.

Microfluidics Prototyping: It is employed in the prototyping of microfluidic devices and chips used in the analysis and manipulation of small volumes of fluids.

Educational Models: VeroClear is used in educational institutions to create transparent models for teaching subjects like physics, biology, chemistry, and engineering.

Consumer Electronics Prototyping: In the electronics industry, it can be used to prototype transparent casings, enclosures, and displays.

Light Guides and Lenses: VeroClear is employed for creating light guides, lenses, and optical components used in lighting fixtures and optical devices.

Custom Lighting Prototypes: Designers and engineers use VeroClear to prototype custom lighting designs and fixtures that require optical clarity.

Microscale and Nanoscale Structures: It is used to create prototypes of microscale and nanoscale structures for research and development purposes.

Custom Decorative Items: VeroClear is suitable for creating decorative items like transparent vases, art pieces, and awards.

Transparent Casings and Enclosures: It is employed for creating transparent casings and enclosures for various products, allowing users to see the internal components.

Fluid Containers: VeroClear is used Prototyping transparent fluid containers and reservoirs for research and laboratory use.

Electrostatic Demonstrations: In physics education, it can be used to create transparent models for demonstrating principles like electrostatics.

Cosmetic Packaging Prototypes: The material is used to prototype transparent packaging designs for cosmetics and personal care products.

VeroClear’s optical clarity and transparency make it a valuable choice for applications where the visibility of internal structures, fluid flow, or other transparent features is important. It is often chosen when creating realistic, functional prototypes with see-through properties.

Material Properties

Tensile Strength

58 MPa (8400 PSI)

58 MPa (8400 PSI)

6%

Modulus of Elasticity

2200 MPa (320000 PSI)

Flexural Strength

58 MPa (8450 PSI)

Material Datasheet

Material Finish

VeroClear has a translucent finish. The part printed as-is prints clear enough that light and the shape of objects can be made when looking through the part, but is not ideal for glass-like clarity. This is a high resolution print, however, so you won’t see build lines when looking at the part directly on the surface that was printed laying flat on the print bed.

Sanding + Clear Coat for Increased Transparency

If you need slightly more transparency than what the standard print achieves, sanding the part and adding a clear coat will help. Here are the steps:

  1. Sand part using 180 grit sandpaper until build lines aren’t visible.
  2. Move to 400 grit sandpaper and sand again until surface become smoother.
  3. Move to 600 grit sandpaper and do a wet-sand until you start to see through clearly.
  4. Apply a Polyurethane Clear Coat layer and let dry for 20 minutes to 1 hour.
  5. Apply another Polyurethane Clear Coat and allow it to dry.
  6. Repeat steps 5 & 6 until desired transparency.

Waterclear Finish

If you need a waterclear part that resembles glass-like clarity, we recommend Accura Clearvue, a speciality 3D printing material we offer on request. Accura Clearvue is fabricated using SLA technology, which is then finished professionally to get a very clear finish.

Design Recommendations

Max Part Size [x, y, z]

490 x 390 x 200 mm
19.3 x 15.4 x 7.9 in

Min Clearance + Gaps for Fit

0.2 mm offset on each wall is the recommended gap for enclosures.

Min Wall Thickness

1 mm min

Internal Cavities

Internal cavities are highly discouraged with VeroClear due to the water-based support material that will swell and change the geometry overtime if left inside. Note that support material that has no direct line of sight inside a cavity cannot be cleaned out.

Threads & Inserts

For VeroClear, we recommend you use either press or heat inserts. For more information, check out our article on The Best Fasteners for 3D Printed Parts.

Text Guidelines

Text should be embossed by at least 1.0 mm to stay visible after printing. Text should also be at least 1.5 mm thick in all areas.

Tolerance

Tolerance for VeroClear is +/- 0.004”, or +/- 0.001” per inch, whichever is greater.

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