is it possible to print a clear double glazed window for something like an RV?
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is it possible to print a clear double glazed window for something like an RV?
Hey Rob.
Yes, it’s possible. There aren’t many printers that’ll print truly transparent and they tend to be pretty small. By far the largest portion of printers are so called FDM, aka FFF which could produce a window in transparent material. However, you wouldn’t be able to see through such a window. It would admit light but really not much more than that. It’d have a frosted appearance. It could be made to have very good thermal insulation properties though.
Cheers!
AndyL
Pot8oSH3D
MB3D
4
What exactly is a “RV” and why can’t you use normal plexiglass or similar? Cheers, Marius Breuer
It’s a Recreational Vehicle, Marius.
Favoured by elderly American couples who’s children live a long way from home and who enjoy popping round to see them unannounced. Oh! And Meth cooks! 
Cheers!
AndyL
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MB3D
6
Thanks for the explanation, the breaking bad reference made me understand 
In this case plexiglass or similar would be the cheapest method to get Windows done. You can get the plastic Lasercutted to fit perfectly. Also I’m sure, that car tuning stores will have foil, that’s ment to be glued on Windows, to give them a reflective or dimmed appearance. If the window has to be curved, you can heat the plastic with a small torch (those in chemistry classes, but the handheld version). After some time the sheet can be deformed and will hold the new shape after cooling. 3d printing would also be fine, but way more expensive with too high tolerances and the window wouldn’t be as translucent and stable. PS I know, who I’m talking to 
Cheers, Marius Breuer
The problem is manufactures tend to stop supplying replacement windows after about 5 yr, it then reverts to aftermarket manufacture, getting one of these made in the UK and airmailed to NZ is fine if it arrives unbroken but can still take weeks, the window can be anything upto 1000mm x 700mm.
Yes we can get a plexiglass window made in NZ, it involves sending broken window away, a pattern has to be made from said broken window, plexiglass moulded over it etc etc takes about 3 weeks and costs $2000nzd.
so back to my original question, but from what i am told so far the technology is not yet there to print a truly clear window. i may be wrong and if so i hope some one can be constructive and point me in the direction of someone that possibly can make a window or knows what machine we should be looking at.
we are also investigating being able to print other smaller plastic parts for caravans.
Hey Rob.
I was thinking of rather smaller windows and the double-glazing kinda put me off. For sure, you can make up windows using laser-cut acrylic. Plexiglass, not so much. Perhaps you can find a big enough laser cutter with an extraction system that’s capable of handling Polycarbonate ( Plexiglas / Lexan ). It needn’t be especially expensive - You can pick up a Chinese laser cutter that’s capable of cutting at least 6mm acrylic at, say 300 x 400mm, for around $US500, so it’s really just a matter of finding a big brother of one of those.
It’s really simple to design the outline. The kinda thing you could train a college student to do in an afternoon.
Far as the smaller parts are concerned, take a couple of pics and send 'em over. I should be able to design a replica and print it out without too much trouble.
https://www.3dhubs.com/london/hubs/pot8osh3d <------ Just click here 
Cheers,
AndyL
Pot8oSH3D
