By TRUNNANO | 20 January 2021 | 0 Comments
NIOSH Issues Health And Safety Advice On The Use Of Filaments And Metal Powder For 3D Printing
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released two new posters on the safety of 3D printing materials in the workplace and at home. The first details the steps that can be taken to ensure safe FDM operations with filaments, and the second involves the handling of metal powders.
The information collected in the poster is a summary of nearly five years of direct field observation and laboratory research activities conducted by NIOSH on the harmful effects of 5D printing emissions. NIOSH is currently conducting other studies on the potential effects of exposure to these emissions, some of which collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Filament 3D printing
The filament safety poster issued by the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center (NTRC) first listed the areas to be considered. Users should try to limit breathing and skin contact with volatile organic chemicals and particles that may float during the printing process. FDM printers rely on hot surfaces and moving parts, some of which tend to move quickly and may harm or burn the processor. In terms of material selection, PLA should be better than ABS as much as possible, and all printing should be carried out in the negative pressure area. A dedicated ventilation system should be used (HEPA is best).
Users should always pay attention to other people in the area. This is especially important for near-end office environments. The time the printer spends while the printer is running should be limited, and remote camera surveillance should be used whenever possible.
The poster also emphasizes the inclusion of 3D printing procedures in general workplace safety plans and meetings. If non-technical personnel are near the printer, they should also receive education and training, and the food ban in the work area should be prohibited.
3D printing with metal powder
The metal powder poster first states that breathing and skin contact with metal powder should be avoided, and users should be aware of the danger of fire or explosion caused by static electricity. Metal PBF machines use high-intensity lasers to melt and fuse powder particles, so users should also pay attention to contact with these particles. According to the filament guidelines, HEPA filters should be used for printing in the negative pressure area. In the event of a fire, a fire extinguishing system should also be provided.
When it comes to powder handling, loading and screening should always be carried out in a closed environment or closed system. The same is true for parts cleaning and post-processing because the loose powder is very fine and easy to spread. To reduce the risk of accidental powder spreading, sticky pads should be placed around the work area to limit the flow of particles.
As with filament posters, it is recommended that metal powder 3D printing be included in the workplace safety plan. Food and beverages are not allowed in the work area and should be restricted to basic technical personnel. The reactivity of metal powders (using air and detergent) should always be considered, and the work area should be cleaned daily using wet methods.
Establishing and agreeing on health and safety standards is essential for the industrialization of any technology. Earlier this year, Underwriters Laboratories and ASTM International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop an international ASTM-ISO standard for the safety management of additive manufacturing facilities. Elsewhere, RadTech has released a material handling health and safety poster for 3D printing resin. The poster covers the risks that users should be aware of when using SLA and DLP 3D printers inside and outside the office.
The information collected in the poster is a summary of nearly five years of direct field observation and laboratory research activities conducted by NIOSH on the harmful effects of 5D printing emissions. NIOSH is currently conducting other studies on the potential effects of exposure to these emissions, some of which collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Filament 3D printing
The filament safety poster issued by the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center (NTRC) first listed the areas to be considered. Users should try to limit breathing and skin contact with volatile organic chemicals and particles that may float during the printing process. FDM printers rely on hot surfaces and moving parts, some of which tend to move quickly and may harm or burn the processor. In terms of material selection, PLA should be better than ABS as much as possible, and all printing should be carried out in the negative pressure area. A dedicated ventilation system should be used (HEPA is best).
Users should always pay attention to other people in the area. This is especially important for near-end office environments. The time the printer spends while the printer is running should be limited, and remote camera surveillance should be used whenever possible.
The poster also emphasizes the inclusion of 3D printing procedures in general workplace safety plans and meetings. If non-technical personnel are near the printer, they should also receive education and training, and the food ban in the work area should be prohibited.
3D printing with metal powder
The metal powder poster first states that breathing and skin contact with metal powder should be avoided, and users should be aware of the danger of fire or explosion caused by static electricity. Metal PBF machines use high-intensity lasers to melt and fuse powder particles, so users should also pay attention to contact with these particles. According to the filament guidelines, HEPA filters should be used for printing in the negative pressure area. In the event of a fire, a fire extinguishing system should also be provided.
When it comes to powder handling, loading and screening should always be carried out in a closed environment or closed system. The same is true for parts cleaning and post-processing because the loose powder is very fine and easy to spread. To reduce the risk of accidental powder spreading, sticky pads should be placed around the work area to limit the flow of particles.
As with filament posters, it is recommended that metal powder 3D printing be included in the workplace safety plan. Food and beverages are not allowed in the work area and should be restricted to basic technical personnel. The reactivity of metal powders (using air and detergent) should always be considered, and the work area should be cleaned daily using wet methods.
Establishing and agreeing on health and safety standards is essential for the industrialization of any technology. Earlier this year, Underwriters Laboratories and ASTM International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop an international ASTM-ISO standard for the safety management of additive manufacturing facilities. Elsewhere, RadTech has released a material handling health and safety poster for 3D printing resin. The poster covers the risks that users should be aware of when using SLA and DLP 3D printers inside and outside the office.
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