Fused Filament Fabrication 3D Printing: Quantification of Exposure to Airborne Particles

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) has been established as a widely practiced Additive Manufacturing technique, using various thermoplastic filaments. Carbon fibre (CF) additives enhance mechanical properties of the materials. The main operational hazard FFF technique explored in literature is emission Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds. Exposure data regarding novel materials larger scale operations is, however, still lacking. In this work, thorough exposure assessment measurement campaign presented for workplace applying 3D printing setups (four different commercial devices, including modified printer) (polylactic acid, polyurethane, copolyamide, polyethylene terephthalate glycol) CF-reinforced thermoplastics (thermoplastic polylactic polyamide). Portable instruments are employed, based on an methodology, to study airborne particle potential each process setup. results revealed distinct profile process, necessitating safety approach per Crucially, high detected processes with two printers working simultaneously. An updated engineering control scheme applied exposures printer. establishment flexible system vital workplaces that apply printing.