3D printers are complex devices with many complexities that may lead people to wonder if they are safe. You can also post-process your prototype with 3D printing to achieve the desired appearance and feel. As part of this process, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, IPA, Acetone, THF, and other chemicals will be used during cleaning, smoothing, welding, and surface finishing. Safety measures need to be taken to prevent such substances from posing health risks to operators. In this article, we will check the solutions for the 3D printer to use it safely.
In many cases, people use 3D printers without knowing the necessary information to ensure their own and people’s safety. Before buying, you should make sure you have considered everything. Brands, like Alveo3D, can offer you a wide range of solutions to help protect you when using your device.
Due to its insufficient power, a 3D printer cannot cause serious injuries. Even so, enclosed 3D printers offer the best protection against these risks. As a result, there is less chance of getting burned from touching a printer bed or nozzle, which can reach extremely high temperatures.
When performing any maintenance or modifications, you should unplug your 3D printer before reaching inside of it. You should also only do this when the printer is off.
It is essential to buy a printer with housing if you have children living in your home, because moving machinery can cause hazards. You can still purchase a 3D printer without an enclosure if it has particular features that enclosed printers don’t have because enclosures are sold separately.
To protect yourself from cuts and scrapes caused by moving parts, gloves should be worn whenever using a 3D printer.
Here’s RIT’s list of safety precautions when using a 3D printer:
- 3D printers with enclosures are going to be much safer than other 3D printers.
- People should stay away from the area as much as they can to reduce their exposure to hazardous fumes.
- Using a 3D printer is best done in a setting that can be analogous to a lab. This is due to the ventilation process, which involves the exchange of fresh air and air that contains particles.
- Daily activities like eating, drinking, and chewing gum should not be done while a 3D printer is running.
- Always practise good hygiene, and after using 3D printers, wash your hands thoroughly.
- Instead of sweeping around the potentially hazardous particles, clean the area using a wet method to collect them.
3D printers are recommended for no more than one standard-size office or two standard-sized classrooms. As part of the ventilation recommendations, four hours’ worth of air should be replaced every hour.
If you access the printer area, it is recommended that you wear a dust mask and know where your nearest fire extinguisher is.