Do I need a Snapmaker air purifier for 3D printing? A question you’ve asked yourself if you’re a professional or lover of technology. Even though you might not consider printing hazardous, the FDM printing process involves plastic heating filaments, which create fumes you don’t want to breathe in. The following information on the particles and fumes the printing process can produce will help you understand why a 3D printer needs an air filter.

Fumes and Particles Released by 3D Printing

Heat naturally causes certain fumes to be released into the air when plastic filaments are heated. The term “VOCs,” or volatile organic compounds, refers to a group of gases that make up these emissions. Many typical FDM filament materials start producing VOCs well below the temperatures required to make them malleable enough for printing, despite the misconception held by some that printing at lower temperatures can lessen the hazards connected with fumes.

During FDM printing, the emission of ultrafine particles (UFPs), which are tiny airborne particles, is even more of a worry. UFPs can enter the bloodstream through the lungs and then spread throughout the body. It has been demonstrated that exposure to UFP strongly correlates with heart disease and lung cancer.

Does filament and printer choice matter?

Of course, not all filaments for 3D printers are created equal. Filaments emit variable amounts of emissions of their varying material qualities. For instance, the levels of VOCs and UFPs produced by ABS and PLA are substantially different. In actuality, PLA and ABS release UFPs at varying rates of around one order of magnitude. Even PLA filament, meanwhile, carries some dangers because it is still regarded as having a high UFP emission rate. Another popular filament material, nylon, is viewed as being roughly as dangerous as ABS.

Interestingly, research has revealed variety within each type of filament. According to a 2015 study, VOC and UFP emissions varied noticeably between spools of the same material from various providers. This variation persisted even after the filament spools were tested on the same 3D printer at the same temperature. Additionally, it was discovered in that study that after printing is finished, it takes 10 to 30 minutes for UFP levels in a room to recover to normal.

The amount of fumes and UFPs you’ll be exposed to is somewhat influenced by your chosen printer. Vents are frequently incorporated into industrial 3D printers. Regrettably, most affordable home 3D printers need vents.

How to safely 3D print

3D printing is a fantastic hobby and a vital part of many manufacturing companies. The solution to the issues raised by 3D printer emissions is as simple as making a few tweaks that will make you safer rather than stopping all your printing activities. Printing in a room with good airflow is one easy modification you can make. This will prevent the particles and gases emitted during the printing process from gathering. You can also use PLA in place of ABS or nylon whenever you can because it does emit fewer emissions, albeit it isn’t a perfect substitute on its own.

Do air purifiers work for 3D printer fumes and particulates?

Three-dimensional shapes are produced by 3D printers using several techniques; however, the majority of commercially available 3D printers for consumers or smaller businesses use a method called molten polymer deposition (MPD), which is additionally known as fused deposition modeling; this procedure (FDM). MPD printers melt plastic at temperatures as high as 320°C through a nozzle, deposit it in thin layers, and then build up those layers to create the desired object. Plastics start to disintegrate when heated to high temperatures, releasing fumes and fine contaminants into the atmosphere. It should be possible for an air filter to lessen these air contaminants. Visit us to purchase the Snapmaker 2.0 air filtertoday Read more