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Updated: Aug 2, 2025
3D Printing - Evaluating Particle Emissions of a 3D Printing Pen
Published on: October 9, 2020
Accurate measurements of particle emissions from a three-dimensional printer using a chamber test with a
Handol Lee1, Dong-Bin Kwak2, Chi Young Choi3
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Inha University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Recently, three-dimensional (3D) printing has attracted attention as a new manufacturing technology. However, there is lack of data and regulations regarding the emissions of ultrafine particles from 3D printers. Therefore, we investigated particle emissions from a 3D printer using a chamber system. The test system was improved by installing a developed mixer for accurate measurement. Without a mixer, the particle concentration was unstable depending on the sampling point; however, reliable data with good uniformity were obtained by installing a mixer. Using the test system with a mixer, we investigated particle emissions from a 3D printer during operation. Filaments made each of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA) were used as the printing material. The effects of nozzle temperature and printing time were investigated. Compared to the effect of the printing time, the nozzle temperature had greater impact on the particle emissions. The dominant particle size for the emissions from a 3D printer is less than 10 nm, and the particle concentration decreased with increasing particle size.
