EPlus3D

MakerBot 3D Printers & Filaments: Operating with PLA—and You are Safe!

Electronics
Metal AM Markets
AMR Military

Share this Article

9XyyKdC6Since a recent study came out from researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, there’s been quite the conversation regarding 3D printing and safety in terms of fumes. While it seems like a common sense concern to arise if you are near a machine working away, melting plastic and such, some seem surprised at the thought of toxins—as if 3D printers are working under a magical cloud of innovation which simply could not be tarnished with something as common—and odious—as health hazards.

As I was having dinner with one of my friends a couple of nights ago who is actually very technologically savvy, I mentioned that I’d spent my afternoon reading a recent study, and exploring the hazards of 3D printing fumes and exposure to ultra-fine particles. I was pretty shocked as she scrunched up her nose in confusion, and asked, “Oh, do they really make fumes? What?”

As she continued to crunch on her salad, I had to consider the fact that some people might not think about things like that—or worry, regardless. Apparently MakerBot is concerned that a lot of people might be thinking and worrying about this, however, and it’s cause enough for them to put out information regarding the safety of their own products. I might note here, however, that the article, ‘Emissions of Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds from Commercially Available Desktop Three-Dimensional Printers with Multiple Filaments, does state that emissions are not better or worse depending on specific printers. What they do recommend however—and this is where MakerBot is right on target—is that manufacturers “work toward designing low-emitting filament materials and/or printing technologies” as well as working “to evaluate the effectiveness of sealed enclosures on both UFP and VOC emissions or to introduce combined gas and particle filtration systems.”

In their recent press release, MakerBot makes it clear that safety of their users is tantamount, and that they have it all covered. No worries here.es-2015-04983x_0007

“A recent study has sought to answer safety-related questions regarding 3D printing filament,” MakerBot notes. “As supported by this study, we would like to underscore that our latest generation of 3D printers only use filament that is safe for your classroom or business. Known as PLA, or polylactic acid, this filament is a nontoxic resin made of sugar derived from starches found in foods, like potatoes, corn, grain, or even beets.”

This is important to point out actually, because if there were any questions—and if anyone really does read the study—it’s plain that the researchers did not find much concern with PLA, if any. The real concern—and again, if any—would be with ABS, as it emits styrene (a known carcinogen) in fairly large amounts. The researchers also stated that Caprolactam (known to be questionable) is found in fumes via nylon, PCTPE, laybrick, and laywood.

MakerBot really does seem to have all the bases covered on this one, as their recent 3D printers are all optimized to use MakerBot PLA Filament. They’ve made it clear that environmental concerns are at the top of their list, and especially with the accelerated growth of 3D printing in general. The team chose PLA as the material of choice for their recent product lineup because it is able to be composted and recycled.

unnamed (1)Through their collaboration with several national labs, MakerBot is also able make sure that their materials are up to par with all the latest requirements:

“… you will find our MakerBot PLA Filament is both compliant with regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the U.S. (OSHA) and the European Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). For many countries, we offer Safety Data Sheets…”

MakerBot does make an interesting point regarding OSHA of course, in that with 3D printing still being such a fledgling industry, they are not really ‘geared’ toward emissions for this newer technology that’s generally performed on a smaller scale. Further studies are being done in terms of setting standards, according to MakerBot, as Underwriters Laboratories is working with two universities as they study whether or not safety requirements should be tightened up for 3D printing in regards to emissions.

“As standards evolve, we will continue to make sure every classroom, business, or home is as safe as possible with a MakerBot 3D Printer,” says the MakerBot team.

The bottom line overall would seem that as for many things in life, moderation is key when it comes to the amount of time you spend standing next to the 3D printer—although with PLA it would not seem that you have any concern. When printing with other filaments, ventilation is important. And all seem to agree that more studies are required on this subject. So for now, let’s all stop worrying—and get back to the wonderful world of creating. What type of filament are you printing with? Discuss in the MakerBot 3D Printing Filament forum over at 3DPB.com.

Untitled5

Share this Article


Recent News

Over 20B Aerospace Parts to Be 3D Printed by 2030 – AMR’s Chart of the Week

3D Printing News Unpeeled: Iowa Tears Down 3D Printed House, Immensa Gets $20M



Categories

3D Design

3D Printed Art

3D Printed Food

3D Printed Guns


You May Also Like

Featured

Air Force Cloud One’s First 3D Printing and Advanced Manufacturing App Goes Live

Last week, the U.S. Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO) Advanced Manufacturing Program Office (AMPO) officially went live with the Part Assessment and Cost Tool (PACT), the first advanced manufacturing...

Featured

Iowa Demolishes Its First 3D Printed Home

In May 2023, the city of Muscatine, Iowa embarked on an ambitious plan to construct 3D printed homes. The weekend before Thanksgiving, the first such home was demolished. 3D rendering...

3D Printing News Briefs, November 25, 2023: Housing, Seed Funding, & More

We’re starting with additive construction news in this Thanksgiving weekend edition of 3D Printing News Briefs, and then moving on to seed funding and a Memorandum of Understanding. Finally, we’ll...

Featured

Mighty Buildings to 3D Print Visitors Center alongside Buckminster Fuller’s Dome Home

Mighty Buildings, the Oakland-based additive construction (AC) firm specializing in prefabricated, climate-resilient homes, has partnered with the R. Buckminster Fuller Dome Home Not-For-Profit to 3D print a visitors center and...