Effect of slicing parameters on the light transmittance of 3D-printed polyethylene terephthalate glycol products

Abstract

To manufacture 3D-printed polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) products with excellent light transmittance performance, this study evaluated the principle of light transmission and the influencing factors of fused deposition methods (FDM) 3D-printed PETG products. This study explored the influence of different slicing parameters (layer height, extrusion rate, and printing speed) on the light transmittance of PETG products via a UV-visible spectrophotometer. The results showed that, in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm, the PETG specimens with 0.2 mm layer height had the best light transmittance performance; in the range of 100% to 120%; the PETG specimens with 110% extrusion rate had the best light transmittance performance; in the range of 20 to 40 mm/s printing speed, the PETG specimens with 40 mm/s printing speed had the best light transmittance performance. Comparison of image visibility showed that PETG products with layer height of 0.2 mm, extrusion rate of 110%, and printing speed of 40 mm/s had the best image visibility.