Evaluation and comparison of different materials for manufacturing of transparent optical components in additive manufacturing

We present the evaluation and comparison of four different polymers (VeroClear, ClearVue, LOCTITE 3820, and WaterShed) to produce macro transparent optical components using additive manufacturing. The refractive indices were measured at increasing temperatures. The Cauchy and Sellmeier coefficients were fitted subsequently. We used the measured and calculated parameters to determine the Abbe numbers of materials at increasing temperatures. Several different lenses of the mentioned polymers with varying orientations were printed and evaluated according to transmission, imaging quality, and temperature-dependent behavior. The results were used to build an illumination demonstrator to simulate the sunlight as it is created by a roof window.