AMR Software
AMR Data Centers

Smoke Signal – New Device to Help Prevent 3D Printer Fires Launches on Kickstarter

Share this Article

There is no doubt that home 3D printing is changing the way people do things. Because of all the benefits to the technology, it is often easy to forget that there still are issues to overcome. This is often to our detriment. One of the hazards of IMG_1259_zps950e6e59home 3D printing is the risk of fire. If you’ve ever wanted to create something complex that could take a bit of time to print, chances are you’ve been tempted to leave your printer going while you stepped away from it, or even gone to bed.

A user on a popular online forum said that he did just that recently, and he and his family paid the price. In a thread entitled,” Beware your 3D printer (They can cause fires)” a user named Skyminer wrote, “Just printing away as always, then smoke detectors go off, run downstairs and the printer is a ball of flame. Everyone got out ok, but lost one pet. House is a write off.”

A user on another 3-D printing forum had a similarly harrowing experience:

“Using my makerfarm prusa i3 I had an overnight print going that was about as tall as my machine could handle. I had attempted the same print 3 other times with no issues, just had to adjust some settings to make the print better. For some reason this time, the wires that go to the extruder stepper motor (along with all the other wires tied together) curled under the hot end and melted. This caused a short on the stepper driver and the ramps board went up in flames, which spread to the wooden frame of the makerfarm. Luckily, the flames extinguished themselves before burning my family in our sleep.”

Similar threads describing how 3-D printing and carelessness have led to fires are becoming more frequent. In light of this issue, Andrew Maurer, an inventor who describes himself as a full-time aeronautical engineer and part-time tinkerer, created Smoke Signal. Smoke Signal is a smoke detector that is situated near your 3-D printer. You plug your printer into the device and situate the Smoke Signal unit near your printer’s electronics or extruder. If Smoke Signal detects smoke, it immediately cuts off the power to your printer in the hope that a full-blown flare up may be prevented by taking out the power source.

smoke-signal

Smoke Signal won’t replace your home smoke detectors. The device was designed to give those who 3D print at home an extra level of protection. The device is currently available exclusively on Kickstarter .  It will cost you between $60 and $80 depending on how quickly you back the project.  Also available is a 10-pack for $645 which are great for school, or labs which run numerous 3D printers at a time.

Let us know if you have backed this project.  Is a device like this something that’s needed in this rapidly growing market?  Discuss in the 3D printer Smoke Signal forum thread on 3DPB.com. Check out the Kickstarter pitch video for Smoke Signal below:



Share this Article


Recent News

Nano Dimension Evaluates Desktop Metal Post-Takeover, Completes Acquisition of Markforged

Luxury Residential Resort Community in Texas to Feature 5 ICON 3D Printed Homes



Categories

3D Design

3D Printed Art

3D Printed Food

3D Printed Guns


You May Also Like

New Business: Temporary, Migratory, & Modular 3D Printed Architecture

If we look at potentially emerging 3D printing businesses, then architecture has not been fully explored. Yes, there is a lot of house 3D printing going on worldwide. From deployable...

3D Printing News Briefs, April 19, 2025: Material Extrusion Standard, Metal Powder, & More

In today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, we’re covering a proposed standard for material extrusion, before moving on to business and metal powder. We’ll end with a commercial store’s robotic 3D...

Japan Unveils World’s First 3D Printed Train Station

Japan is now home to what we believe is the world’s first train station built with 3D printing technology. Located in Arida City, just south of Osaka, the new Hatsushima...

restor3d Raises $38M to Expand 3D Printed Orthopedic Implants

Backed by $38 million in new funding, restor3d is pushing ahead with the launch of four personalized implant lines, set to roll out in 2025 and 2026. This latest venture...