Custom Tips for Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototypes are used for a number of different applications; functional testing, marketing show models, trade show models, etc.  With such wide number of end uses, the type of finish used on the stereolithography (SLA) model becomes very critical.  One of the often overlooked finish option categories is the WaterClear/QuickClear finishes. 

These finishes allow the parts to be clear – to a point of being able to see and read text while looking through the material.  The finishes offer great functionality to engineers wanting to see what the components look like inside of an enclosure.  For instance, an engineer could create WaterClear SLA models for a cell phone housing and assemble the boards internally.  At that point, the engineer could see how the boards assemble together and how the internal components of the unit functions.  In addition, other engineers have used WaterClear SLA’s to view liquid flowing through a channel. 

The difference between the WaterClear finish and the QuickClear finish are minor.  When performing a WaterClear finish, all the support structures are removed, a 420 grit paper is used to remove all build layers and then a clear coat finish is applied.  With QuickClear, all the support structures are removed, a 320 grit paper is used to rough sand the part and then a clear coat finish is applied.  You can see examples of both stereolithography finishes at: http://www.quickparts.com/english_quickparts_2.aspx?Page=/LowvolumePrototypes/ProcessDetails.aspx

In closing, the WaterClear and QuickClear finishes are tools in the engineering tool kit that can provide great solutions to some of the more difficult challenges faced during the product development phase.