Particle emission levels in the user operating environment of powder, ink and filament-based 3D printers

Purpose This study aims to examine on-site particle concentration levels due emissions from a wide spectrum of additive manufacturing techniques, including polymer-based material extrusion, metal and powder bed fusion, directed energy deposition ink-based jetting. Design/methodology/approach Particle concentrations in the operating environments users were measured using combination sizers TSI 3910 Nano SMPS (10–420 nm) 3330 optical sizer (0.3–10 µm). Also, fumes MEX printer during printing directly captured laser imaging method. Findings The number mass submicron particles emitted desktop open-type for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polyvinyl alcohol approached significantly exceeded nanoparticle reference limits, respectively. Through imaging, observed originate nozzle newly deposited layers printer. On other hand, caution should be taken pre-processing polymer powder. Specifically, one ten micrometers sieving, loading cleaning powder, with transient ranging between 150 9,000 µg/m 3 that threshold level suggested indoor air quality. Originality/value Preliminary investigation into possible exposures different 3D processes was done, which is useful sustainable development industry. In addition, automatic enable “closed cycle” or “powder free handling” adopted prevent unnecessary exposure.