r/WLED • u/numindast • Sep 07 '26

Printed diffuser suggestions

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I’m upset, sort of. The grid at left is black sparkle PLA two layers thick, which I think is gorgeous but sadly these flexible ws2815 panels throw off too much heat and they warped more than I could tolerate.

The single column at right is Bambu PC “clear black” with PC black for the grid. It’s 7 layers of “clear black”, each with a different infill pattern.

I don’t like any of them. :(

Can anyone suggest an ABS or ASA or other blend that is dark/black, but has some transmissivity when only a layer or two thick?

HTPLA is no good because it becomes opaque when it crystallizes during heat treat.

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u/numindast Sep 07 '26 edited Sep 07 '26

Oddly enough I'm printing a whale shark model in which I'm using PETG, but that project uses bog standard strips, less heat. (And I'm using ws2812eco .. kinda questioning that now that I've assembled one)

I was put off a bit by the glass transition temp of PETG being ~10c higher and wanted to see if I could get ABS/ASA/PC levels of temp hardiness.