Blog Tag: air filters for 3D printers

The use of 3D Printers has grown 1000 % over the past few years. Many schools, businesses, entrepreneurs, hobbyists and individuals now own a 3D Printer. The majority of the printers used in the schools and homes are the smaller FFF or FDM filament style printers that print with various types of plastic or composites. These printers can print over 30 different materials and their tool head nozzles can reach temperatures at or above 300 degrees celsius ( 580 F ). When melting these materials during the printing operation, small amounts of sub-micron particulate are produced which depending upon the materials used for printing may create some health issues when inhaled by the user. Air filtration for 3D printing is now becoming a major concern.

Pure Air Systems, an Indiana based company, has been making HEPA based air filtration systems since 1985. Their fan powered units range in volume from 50 CFM to 2000 CFM and their systems all use commercial grade HEPA’s, variable speed drive motors, industrial fans and all metal housings.In the past year a number of the PAS Portable units ( 250 CFM ) and the 600HS ( 600 CFM ) units have been used to filter the air from one or more filament style printers to remove the less than 20 micron sized particles from the air. HEPA filters used in the PAS units are certified at 99.99% at 0.3 microns. Much of the particulate generated by the printers is in the 1 to 10 micron range which can be inhaled and trapped in the lungs. Over time this could create some significant lung problems and severe side affects. More studies are being done all the time to determine the cause and affect.

In many cases the Pure Air Systems units are attached to special enclosures that are used to cover the printers and confine the particulate to one area. One of the better 3D Printer Enclosures is made by LiteWorld LLC., http://www.liteworldllc.com . The PAS units are very powerful allowing one of them to be used to filter the air for multiple printers. 

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at: https://www.pureairsystems.com     or call us on our toll free number at: 800-869-8025.

For five years I have been working with 3D Printers of all types and have printed with over 20 different filaments from PLA to PETG and even Bronze. Some of these filaments when heated to over 205 degrees C to melt them for extrusion give off no noticeable odor Some, like ABS, Polycarbonate and Nylon do emit an odor. Often  a very strong odor.

It is also known that some measure of small sub-micron sized particles are released during the printing process as the extruder moves the heated filament from the nozzle to the build platform. Gases and particulate that are, perhaps,  benign in small quantities but potentially harmful in large quantities or over long terms of exposure.

Pure Air Systems along with its partner, LiteWorld LLC , have developed a plexiglas enclosure with two large access doors that will fit over most large bed 3D printers allowing for two benefits. First, the enclosure has a fan and carbon media filter to capture any odors that might be produced by the materials during the printing process. Second, the unit will significantly minimize the amount of fine airborne particles that are emitted during the printing process.

Air filtration for your 3D printer is perhaps something you don’t think about but it should be on your radar at this point in the evolution of 3D printers. Especially the FDM or FFF printers that use filament in the 1.75 mm or 2.85 mm size range.

The other reason for the use of the enclosure is the safety it provides in keeping little hands out of the moving mechanisms and from the very hot nozzle and build platform. Many schools are now requiring the use of an enclosure to fit over the printer to keep them free from any liability when used in the classroom.

For more information on the complete line of air filtration systems from Pure Air Systems please go to our website at: https://www.pureairsystems.com or call us at 800-869-8025. Or you can go to http://www.liteworldllc.com  for more information on the enclosure.