Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing has introduced a paradigm shift in the manufacturing world, and it is increasing in popularity. In cases of such rapid and widespread acceptance of novel technologies, material or process safety issues may be underestimated, due to safety research being outpaced by the breakthroughs of innovation. However, a definitive approach in studying the various occupational or environmental risks of new technologies is a vital part of their sustainable application. In fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing, the practicality and simplicity of the method are juxtaposed by ultrafine particle (UFP) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emission hazards. In this work, the decision of selecting the optimal material for the mass production of a microfluidic device substrate via FFF 3D printing is supported by an emission/exposure assessment. Three candidate prototype materials are evaluated in terms of their comparative emission potential. The impact of nozzle temperature settings, as well as the microfluidic device’s structural characteristics regarding the magnitude of emissions, is evaluated. The projected exposure of the employees operating the 3D printer is determined. The concept behind this series of experiments is proposed as a methodology to generate an additional set of decision-support decision-making criteria for FFF 3D printing production cases.
Highlights
The fundamental operating principles of manufacturing objects based on computer design files, layer by layer, in an additive conceptual scheme leads to the following advantages, compared to traditional subtractive methods [10]:
The TVOC concentrations measured by the photoionization detector (PID) instrument (Measurement 4) remained within very low levels; the data are not discussed
Nozzle temperatures of 215 and 225 ◦ C are considered preferable to 205 and 235 ◦ C in terms of filament properties, with 215 ◦ C being the recommended printing temperature, as reported by the process operators, through information gathered by printability tests that had previously been conducted
Summary
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines additive manufacturing (AM) as “the process of joining materials to make parts based on computer-generated. A multitude of AM techniques have been developed [4] and are projected to be applied in a wide field of applications, including the automotive industry [5], medicine [6], and aerospace [7]. Technological advances in the world of AM have resulted in fascinating achievements, including the 3D printing of graphene aerogels [8] and the bio-printing of several types of tissues and organs [9]. The fundamental operating principles of manufacturing objects based on computer design files, layer by layer, in an additive conceptual scheme leads to the following advantages, compared to traditional subtractive methods [10]: . Individual customization of print objects and the uncomplicated redesign of parts
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