If I set my prints on the window sill (indoors) will the sunlight still be able to cure the resin? The problem with setting them outside is the wind knocking them over.
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$\begingroup$ I'm not writing this as an answer because I'm not sure and don't have experience with resin printing, but generally glass does not significantly block UV unless it has special coatings to do so. So it seems like it should work. $\endgroup$– R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICEFeb 28, 2020 at 17:28
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1$\begingroup$ Most windows have UV filters on them, reducing the effectivity extremely. $\endgroup$– TrishFeb 28, 2020 at 17:37
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$\begingroup$ I second the comment of @Trish; my glasses have a coating that turns them into sunglasses under UV light (needed for my sensitivity for light). But, this doesn't work in the car, house or at work. Windows block UV light. $\endgroup$– 0scar ♦Feb 28, 2020 at 23:06
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2 Answers
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The glass will block most of the uv light; but not all. It will depend on the type of light that the resin is sensitive to; in order to determine if it will continue to cure behind a glass window in direct sunlight. Some resins also sensitive to blue light. You will need to look at the material data sheet for the resin to be able to know for sure. Be advised though, that the resin does not stop curing, and will continue to cure slowly over time, just sitting on the desk.
https://www.thoughtco.com/does-glass-block-uv-light-608316 From the link:
Glass that is transparent to visible light absorbs nearly all UVB. This is the wavelength range that can cause a sunburn, so it's true you can't get a sunburn through glass. However, UVA is much closer to the visible spectrum than UVB. About 75% of UVA passes through ordinary glass. UVA leads to skin damage and genetic mutations that can lead to cancer. Glass does not protect you from skin damage from the sun. It affects indoor plants too. Have you ever taken an indoor plant outside and burned its leaves? This happens because the plant was unaccustomed to the higher levels of UVA found outside, compared with inside a sunny window.
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$\begingroup$ Yea, they do. I doubt mine does because that's cheap glass :) Polycarbonate also blocks UV. $\endgroup$ Feb 29, 2020 at 16:45
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Yes.
I frequently leave models made on a Saturn printer with Elegoo gray resin on a surface in the sun to slow cure them. If properly cleaned their finish is indistinguishable from models rapid cured in a UV chamber.
It should be noted that I only do this with small models that are Table top miniature scale. Large models with lots of shadows, overhands or complicated detailing may not cure evenly.
I usually do this if I have a lot of models to cure and am too lazy to keep cycling them through my cure station.
answered May 25, 2022 at 18:59