Feb 29, 2016 | By Tess
As 3D printers become more mainstream and increasingly available to the public, with various models even costing under $500, certain concerns have arisen surrounding additive manufacturing technologies and its potential health effects. In 2013, The Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology published a report which found that certain 3D printers, without filtration systems of their own, produced ultra fine particle concentrations (UFPs) that could be potentially harmful to one’s health. To help makers who may be 3D printing in less ventilated spaces such as classrooms, offices, or homes startup 3DPrintClean has developed 3D printer enclosures which filter out any potentially harmful particles that may be released during the 3D printing process.
3DPrintClean, founded by James Nordstrom of New Jersey, has recently launched a Kickstarter campaign for its 3D Printer Lightweight Enclosure and Filtration System. The 3D printer enclosures are designed to effectively filter the contaminated air using a patent-pending recirculating filtration technology, reducing the concentration of UFPs until the air is clean and the enclosure is safe to open.
The tent-like structures in which you are meant to place your 3D printer in are available in two sizes, 600mm x 600mm x 600mm (the Lightweight600) and 800mm x 800mm x 800mm (the Lightweight800) and can accommodate most desktop 3D printers, from most Ultimaker, Reprap, Makerbot, Printrbot models, just to name a few.
The 3D printer Lightweight Enclosure and Filtration System offers a fully enclosed printing space that filters out potentially harmful particles while at the same time letting you fully view your print in progress through its three plastic window panes—if your print is light-sensitive you can also block out light with the included window covers. The 3D printer enclosure also comes equipped with dual cable seals, excess heat dissipation, and an insulated interior, which helps to not only keep your environment properly ventilated but maintains an optimal build temperature helping to reduce warping and cracking of your final print.
3DPrintClean, which previously developed a line of commercial enclosure and filtration systems for 3D printers (pictured below) developed their Lightweight line of enclosures in an effort to create an affordable but functional way to ventilate 3D printing environments. Through their Kickstarter campaign, pledgers can purchase a 600mm Lightweight Enclosure (with one filter included) for $399, and an 800mm one for $449, in comparison to $999 for a Desktop600 Enclosure, and $1,199 for a Desktop800 Enclosure. For a higher pledge, backers can receive up to six filters, which the company suggests should be replaced every three months. The estimated delivery time for the enclosures is July 2016, if their goal of $6,000 is reached within the next month.
Destop600 Enclosure
The 3D printer enclosures are still in development, as the company plans to add optional accessories such as a heater, thermal cutoff, spool holder, LED lighting, and automated fire suppression system. The color and window size of the final product may also reportedly vary from the prototypes pictured.
To learn more about 3DPrintClean’s 3D Printer Lightweight Enclosure and Filtration System, check out the video below:
Posted in 3D Printer Accessories
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