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== Plastic Printing == | == Plastic Printing == | ||
For the most part, this printing is not too dangerous and takes just a little bit of common sense to stay safe. But I did not want to look at the process or short term dangers. Typically people use PLA which is polylactic acid or ABS which is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Making the print is not the dangerous part, it is what is around the print then that becomes the problem. These printers get so hot that it melts the plastic in an instant. There were studies conducted to learn the effects of these filaments. It was found that around the area of a well used printer, there are things called UFP's and VOC's. These are ultrafine particles and volatile organic compounds. There are also vapors that get released into the air. | |||
'''Dangers''' | |||
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Most of the time, if someone has a 3D printer, they take very good care of it, clean it, so this takes away the risk of fire. But what people do not notice, is what they are breathing in when around a printer. | |||
Revision as of 23:08, 15 December 2018
Metal Printing
The Process
Instead of having a roll of filament like a plastic 3D printer, metal printing uses metal powder particles and extreme heat to fuse them together. There are two different ways to have a printer set up.
- Selective Laser Melting - Or also known as SLM, is designed to only use one kind of metal alloy for the entirety of a print. This allows the user to print at a lower temperature, depending on the melting point of the metal being used.
- Direct Metal Laser Sintering - or DMLS, is a process that is using different metal powders. Since there will be a different melting point, there will be a higher temperature for the printer. The fusing will allow the metal particles to mix together and for a stronger bond.
Dangers
These metal printers are have a different setup than most printers because they have something called a "build chamber." This is an enclosed area that is meant to have a controlled printing environment. But one of the major problems that can occur, is the risk of fire or explosions. There are 3 things that need to be present for a fire and 5 for an explosion. Similar things would be the fuel source, which would be the metal particles; and an ignition source, which would be the extreme heat from the laser. The only difference is that for an explosion it needs to be in a confined area like the build chamber, and have a dust cloud which easily can for with the small particles.
The easiest way to avoid these dangers, is with the last point; oxidation. If you cannot completely eliminate it, then it is crucial that it can be minimized. The user needs to understand what metals that they are using, and must select a gas to fill the build chamber that will not have a chemical reaction with the print. This is decided by the metal selection, the pressure in the chamber, the temperature, and reactivity to different substances. One of the main gasses used is Argon.
When dealing with any kind of gasses, whether there is a build chamber or not, it can be very dangerous for humans to be around. This is especially dangerous when the printer is in a small enclosed room. By switching from oxygen, to something like argon, this can be risky for their respiratory system. Normally humans are at 21% oxygen in the air. Dropping to anything below 19.5% is considered to be oxygen deficient. If someone was to be in this state for too long, it can cause high amounts of stress to be put on the heart. There will be lower blood circulation, shortness of breath, and extreme high blood pressure. Being like this for too long has a chance of damaging the heart or even brain permanently.
Plastic Printing
For the most part, this printing is not too dangerous and takes just a little bit of common sense to stay safe. But I did not want to look at the process or short term dangers. Typically people use PLA which is polylactic acid or ABS which is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Making the print is not the dangerous part, it is what is around the print then that becomes the problem. These printers get so hot that it melts the plastic in an instant. There were studies conducted to learn the effects of these filaments. It was found that around the area of a well used printer, there are things called UFP's and VOC's. These are ultrafine particles and volatile organic compounds. There are also vapors that get released into the air.
Dangers
Most of the time, if someone has a 3D printer, they take very good care of it, clean it, so this takes away the risk of fire. But what people do not notice, is what they are breathing in when around a printer.