Mini transparent printing test cube with embedded sphere

thingiverse

This small solid cube features a spherical void inside it, making it perfect for testing optimal print settings on FDM printers before attempting more complex projects like Cymon's Skull Dice. I've also included a model with small drain holes for printing on SLA/DLP machines, which should produce superior transparency compared to FDM printers. The featured print is made from transparent ABS, but any transparent filament can be used by following these steps: - Print with 100% infill. - Over-extrude slightly to push air bubbles away from layers. - Print slowly and at a high temperature with minimal cooling. - Thin layers may also improve results. Natural PLA can produce decent transparency, though its limitations will result in a milky appearance for thicker objects. Polycarbonate, PETG, and Colorfabb HT are ideal choices for achieving true transparency, while transparent ABS can still yield good results. Printing on a glass bed allows you to quickly assess the print's quality by examining the smooth bottom surface. If the sphere is visible through it, chances are the final product will look great after polishing.