Riscos ao imprimir em 3D

Todos os dias Impressão 3D é mais difundido tanto a nível industrial como a nível doméstico, algo que potencializa o desenvolvimento de muitas aplicações em um grande número de campos. No nível da mídia, apenas os benefícios da tecnologia se destacam, mas existem alguns cuidados que devem ser tomados em conta quando se trata de começar no mundo da impressão 3D.

Mas todo usuário deve levar em conta certos riscos que podem ocorrer durante a impressão 3D. As duas principais fontes de risco e mais comuns são por um lado os gases libertados durante a fusão do material, e por outro as possíveis fontes de incêndio por mau uso da impressora 3D ou mau estado da eletrónica da mesma.

A seguir, detalhamos as principais fontes de risco, bem como os cuidados a serem tomados para evitar maiores problemas:

Gases e odores liberados

Todos os materiais utilizados na impressão 3D FDM/FFF são plásticos ou contêm algum deste material. Neste ponto vamos nos concentrar nos três mais comuns:PLA, ABS e HIPS.

ABS e HIPS são dois materiais muito difundidos na impressão 3D e também, é muito comum usá-los em combinação, HIPS como material de suporte (é dissolvido em D-Limoneno) e ABS como material de base. Estes dois materiais têm uma desvantagem que é que durante a sua fusão é libertada uma quantidade de estireno 20 vezes superior à que existe na atmosfera , tornando-se cancerígeno em caso de respiração prolongada desses gases emitidos.

O PLA é um material fácil de imprimir em qualquer impressora 3D e, portanto, o mais versátil de todos os materiais existentes para impressão 3D. Em relação aos resíduos gerados, libera lactídeo , elemento que não apresenta o referido problema do ABS, nem afeta a saúde das pessoas .

Além disso, as impressoras 3D industriais incorporam o filtro HEPA , que é um tipo de filtro de ar de alta eficiência que atende a altos padrões. Portanto, se você não possui uma impressora 3D fechada com filtro HEPA, a principal recomendação é manter o local de impressão bem ventilado (care must be taken with drafts since they cause the dreaded warping and cracking effect in open 3D printers).

Therefore, in domestic environments, it's advisable to print filaments that don't emit odors as long as they comply with the mechanical properties.

Possible fire sources

Image 1:Possible fire sources

At this point we must take into account first of all that 3D printers that don't have the CE mark (European Certificate) don't pass any quality control , something that can become very dangerous in the event of a failure.

Electricity

It must be taken into account that the characteristics of the electrical network to which the 3D printer is connected must be exactly those indicated on the machine:230 Vac, 50Hz. In addition, attention should be paid to where the 3D printer connects. If it's fed from a terminal strip with more consumers, it can cause fuses to blow or the protections of the installation to skip. Therefore, the characteristics of the line must be checked before connection . When cleaning the 3D printer, always disconnect the 3D printer from the electrical outlets to avoid accidental contacts.

Electronics

The use of quality electronic components , as well as cables with the appropriate section is crucial to avoid excess temperatures that can lead to the fire of the 3D printer itself and this, in turn, of everything that is around it. Another possible problem that can also cause a fire is that the temperature sensor comes out of its housing and the heating cartridge raises its temperature to the maximum, melting the elements that are around it and can cause fire.

Hot parts

Sometimes by inertia or forgetfulness you tend to put your hand inside the 3D printer while it's still hot, which can cause severe burns to the skin . We mustn't forget that the operation of a 3D printer is based on the principle of polymer melting, which implies a high temperature in the heating elements.

In addition, the fact that the 3D printer is switched off or unplugged after finishing an impression doesn't imply that the heating elements are cold, so it shouldn't be touched until enough time has passed.

Mobile parts

For the movement of the 3 axes, as well as that of the 2 extruders, electrical motors are used step by step with high torque. When you put your fingers or your hand in the areas of the shafts, spindles and belts, it can cause entrapments, bruises and wounds , as well as burns due to the heat dissipated by the motors. Therefore, we must be very careful when entering the hand inside the 3D printer , and should only be done if strictly necessary, and to be able to be with security measures to prevent further damage in the event of an accident.

Fixing spray

When applying the base fixative spray (3DLac, DimaFix or PrintaFix) it must be done outside the 3D printer since they are highly inflammable products that in contact with high temperatures or residual electric currents can cause a flame. Although it seems incredible, there have already been more than one case where a house is burned or something worse because of the wrong process.

Our particular recommendation is that at all times you have proof (especially when you have a 3D printer in a domestic environment), that this isn't a "toy", and that its operation carries associated risks. It's always better to have 3D printers with CE marking that have a closed housing and HEPA filter, and if possible in ventilated places.