Translucent Resin is used to achieve transparent or semi-transparent display effects and is a common choice for lampshade housings, visual structural components, and transparent display samples.
Quote checklist: Upload your 3D model and, when available, a 2D drawing. Identify the required process, material, quantity, critical dimensions, finish, appearance standard, and target delivery date.
Engineering note: Values below are typical reference ranges. Final manufacturability, tolerances, material condition, surface finish, cost, and lead time depend on the drawing, geometry, quantity, and selected process.
Upload CAD files and mark critical features for an engineering review before production.
| Process | SLA light-curing 3D printing (transparent photosensitive resin) |
|---|---|
| Color | Translucent (soft light transmission; effect is affected by wall thickness/surface condition/disposition direction) |
| Layer thickness | 0.05–0.10 mm (commonly used); 0.025 mm high-precision mode (increased lead time/cost) |
| Dimensional tolerance | ±0.20 mm or ±0.20% (whichever is greater); it is recommended to mark the tolerance or note "accuracy first" for the key hole/datum surface |
| Minimum wall thickness | Appearance non-structural ≥0.8–1.0 mm; general structure ≥1.2–1.5 mm; stress/near screws ≥2.0 mm |
| Minimum aperture | Direct forming hole ≥1.5–2.0 mm; it is recommended to reserve allowance for assembly holes/mating holes and ream/ream holes |
| Text/texture | The height of convex characters is ≥0.4 mm; the depth of concave characters is ≥0.3 mm; the line width is ≥0.25–0.30 mm (it is recommended that the appearance surface be larger) |
| Hardness | Shore D 80–88 (varies with formulation/post-cure) |
| Tensile strength | 35–55 MPa (usually stronger but more brittle after post-cure) |
| Elongation at break | 6–20% (mainly based on appearance and visibility; for toughness requirements, it is recommended to choose tough resin/nylon) |
| Heat distortion temperature (HDT) | HDT (0.45MPa) is about 45–70℃; for high temperature requirements, it is recommended to choose high-temperature resin |
| Surface roughness | Ra ~1–3 μm (related to layer thickness/direction); polishing can improve the look and feel and affect the “transparent/matte” effect |
| Density | About 1.10 g/cm³ |
| Recommended maximum unit size | Depends on equipment and placement; oversized pieces can be disassembled and spliced or other processes can be evaluated |
| Accuracy level | Standard accuracy / high accuracy (remark "key hole/critical surface/tolerance requirements" required) |
| Optional effects | Translucent body; a more uniform matte/transparent look and feel can be achieved through different polishing strategies (it is recommended to provide reference pictures or effect requirements) |
| Assembly enhancements | support Threaded inserts; Please indicate the thread specifications (such as M2/M3/M4), quantity and location; please note if tapping/expanding/reaming is required |
| Finishing | Grinding and setting threaded inserts |
| Post-cure instructions | Post-curing can improve strength/temperature resistance and dimensional stability, but may increase brittleness; post-curing is usually recommended for cosmetic parts |
| Typical lead time | Related to size, quantity, placement and finishing; clear delivery and expedited options will be given after uploading the file |
The look and feel of translucent materials is very dependent on the surface state. It is recommended to polish and transition the display surface more carefully to obtain a more uniform light transmission/matte effect.
Used for screw assembly and repeated disassembly; suitable for parts that require fixing, assembly verification or small batch assembly (please note the thread specifications, quantity and location).
Compared with full transparency, translucency is more suitable for the display needs of "soft light/shielding internal details", and the look and feel is more durable and easier to control for consistency.
Suitable for small characters, chamfers, textures and thin structures; can be used for appearance review and structural visual verification.
Used for structural validation such as observing internal space, assembly relationships, routing/blocking positions, etc.; key holes/key surfaces can be noted with "accuracy priority".
Optional when screw connection/repeated disassembly and assembly is required Threaded inserts Improve reliability and consistency.
| Material | Key Advantages | Mainly applicable | Not suitable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear SLA Resin (SLA) | Transparency/visual effect is stronger, suitable for display needs that emphasize "seeing the inside clearly" | Transparent display samples, visible structural parts, lampshade housings | Strong impact/long-term durability (tough material or nylon needs to be evaluated) |
| White SLA Resin (SLA) | General-purpose appearance resin with fine surface and greater space for finishing such as spray coating/screen printing | Appearance prototypes, review samples, display pieces | Translucent appearance requirements (it is recommended to use transparent/translucent resin instead) |
| Black SLA Resin (SLA) | Darker colors are more "finished" and have stronger display and photo-taking effects. | Display/review samples, photographic samples, appearance confirmation | Translucent display requirements (transparent/translucent resin recommended) |
| Tough SLA - Yellow-Green (SLA) | More impact-resistant than standard resin and more suitable for snap-in/repeated assembly verification | Appearance + prototype with certain toughness, buckle verification, light load function verification | Translucent appearance requirements (transparent/translucent are more suitable) |
| White Nylon (SLS) | The functional type is more stable, fatigue-resistant, and suitable for complex structures and low- to medium-volume typesetting. | Structural validation, assembly parts, wear-resistant moving parts, small batch functional parts | Highly transparent appearance display (more suitable for transparent/translucent resin) |
Photosensitive resin-semi-transparent (SLA) is often used for light-transmitting appearance prototypes and visual structure verification. The advantages are concentrated in:
If you are more pursuing a transparent display that allows you to see the inside as clearly as possible, it is recommended to directly choose fully transparent resin; if you are more pursuing durability and toughness, it is recommended to evaluate tough resin or nylon options.
The perception of translucency is mainly affected by three types of factors:
If you want an effect closer to your goal, it is recommended to write clearly in the remarks: Target look and feel (more transparent/foggier) + display surface definition + whether slight traces are allowed, or provide a reference picture.
It is recommended that you refer to the key requirements marked in the drawings/notes; you can also refer to the parameters on this page:
If there are key assembly dimensions/positioning holes, it is recommended to provide 2D markings or mark the key dimensions in the remarks, and we will evaluate and confirm them individually.
We support mainstream 3D/2D project files:
Recommended practices (helps to provide faster and more accurate quotes):
The quote of translucent resin not only depends on the volume, but also is affected by the following factors:
In order to get a quote that is closer to your goal, it is recommended to write clearly in the remarks: Target look and feel (more transparent/foggier) + display surface definition + purpose + quantity and lead time.
Finishing of photopolymer-translucent (SLA) to:
If you have a goal for the look and feel of light transmission, it is recommended to note: Target look and feel (more transparent/foggier) + display surface definition + acceptable trace standards, and provide reference pictures is better.
Translucent parts may also have layering and support marks, which are more easily noticed under light-transmitting conditions:
If you want the display surface to be cleaner, we recommend:
It can be used for assembly verification and light-load structural validation, but you need to be cautious about "repeated disassembly and assembly of buckles/screws":
If you want to do functional validation (long-term force/impact), it is recommended to note the usage conditions and we will recommend more matching materials.
Transparent/translucent resins are more susceptible to risks on the following structures:
Tips to reduce risk:
Common lead times (excluding logistics) are usually 1–3 working days, which actually depends on the structural complexity, quantity and appearance standards:
In order to get a faster and more accurate quote, it is recommended that you provide/explain when uploading the file:
You only need three steps: Upload drawings → Confirm project evaluation and quote → Production and delivery after confirmation.
