5.2.3: Safety
- Page ID
- 123845
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\(\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}\)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)The brevity of this section belies its importance. Modern 3D printers are actually quite safe machines; the most popular consumer models are designed to protect users from the most dangerous heated parts, and they have safeguards designed to prevent the devices from experiencing thermal runaways which could start a fire. Safety should always be the first consideration when working with any equipment with either moving or heated parts, and 3D printers have both. Let's discuss some potential dangers and mitigations.
Burns
The nozzle of a 3D printer can reach temperatures exceeding 250 degrees Celsius (482 degrees Fahrenheit), much higher than the boiling point of water. The bed of a 3D printer can reach up to 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit), which is about the temperature of hot tea or coffee. Depending on the length of direct skin contact, either surface can cause severe burns. When a 3D printer is in operation, the best practice is not to touch it at all. If a heated element must be interacted with (such as the case when cleaning a dirty or clogged nozzle), always wear insulated, oven-safe gloves.
Mechanical Injuries
A 3D printer operates by moving along all three dimensional axes. It does this by using a series of motors, belts, cams and rods, all moving in synchronization. Depending on the design of the printer, some of these elements may be exposed without a protective case. This provides for ease of access to these parts for maintenance, but it also creates a risk for mechanical injuries. Again, a 3D printer in operation must not be touched; most printers allow for a print to be paused if touching a printer in progress is absolutely necessary. Fingers can be pinched or crushed; loose jewelry or hair can become tangled, and parts that are wedged or stuck where they shouldn't be can shoot out without warning.
Generally, safety glasses aren't necessary during normal operation of a 3D printer. However, you may want to have some on hand for users who are removing supports from their models or using caustic chemicals like superglue.
Cuts
Cuts are most likely to occur to the hands or fingers at two times during the 3D printing process: when using excess force removing prints from a print bed, and when using cutting tools to remove supports from a completed model. Always use measured force when removing items from a print bed and advise others working in your print shop to do so as well. When using hobby knives to remove supports or otherwise clean up 3D printed models, always use a new, sharp blade - dull blades require more force to cut, and using more force than necessary with a blade results in loss of control that can lead to injury.
Respiratory Issues
Most 3D printing filaments are relatively safe in terms of the fumes and odors they produce; an exception may be ABS, which is known to produce mildly irritating fumes when melted. Regardless, some users may have sensitive respiratory systems which cause them to experience issues with any form of exposure. Your 3D printing work space may benefit from having a painting respirator as part of its equipment kit, which can be purchased at any hardware store. A respirator can also be handy when sanding 3D models; no one wants to inhale fine plastic particles into their lungs!
There are also commercial devices available which can scrub the air of a space of hazardous fumes or particulate matter, or pull fumes directly from your 3D printer. Often, these devices are advertised to be used with laser cutting machines as well. If your budget allows and your space is small and poorly ventilated, considering acquiring such a device.
Hazardous Substances
This guide has previously advised that print beds should be cleaned periodically with isopropyl alcohol (IPA), generally 70-90%. IPA is an irritant, a toxin, and is highly flammable in both liquid and vapor form. It's important to store it in an appropriate fire-resistant cabinet and to replace the cap when not in use to prevent the buildup of hazardous vapor.
Often, 3D prints must be glued together for a variety of reasons. CA glue, or superglue, is one of the best economical adhesive choices for most filament types. CA glue is cured when exposed to moisture, so if it gets on skin, it hardens almost instantly. Take care to apply CA glue only sparingly to surfaces that will adhere to prevent overspill, and it's not a bad idea to wear latex or nitrile gloves when gluing a large number or surface area of parts.
Other forms of 3D printing, including stereolithography ("resin" printing) have their own safety considerations, particularly regarding hazardous substance exposure. This guide is, however, focused on FDM printing. if you're interested in working with stereolithography, the authors strongly encourage you to perform research on safety protocols to protect you and others who will work in your print shop.