BOFA and Atome3D partner to offer 3D printing air filtration technology in Europe

BOFA Worldwide, a developer of fume and particle extraction technological know-how, has declared the signing of a distribution partnership with France-dependent 3D printer provider Atome3D.

Likely ahead, Atome3D will provide BOFA’s full portfolio of 3D PrintPRO air filtration products, together with the 3D PrintPRO 2, 3, and 4. The gadgets are designed to integrate with 3rd-get together 3D printers to effectively capture any destructive fumes and particles emitted throughout the printing procedure.

Haydn Knight, BOFA’s Product sales & Advertising Director, states, “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Atome3D.com, which displays the accomplishment of the company’s business 3D print methods and the increasing reputation of BOFA extraction engineering in this marketplace.”

How the 3D PrintPRO 3 integrates with 3D printers. Image via BOFA International
How the 3D PrintPRO 3 integrates with 3D printers. Graphic through BOFA International

The concealed hazards of 3D printing

When working a 3D printer, especially in human-occupied spaces like properties and offices, it is crucial to continue to keep wellness and safety in mind. Given that 3D printing normally will involve melting and sintering, one particular quite genuine hazard is the emission of airborne contaminants, which can arrive in all styles, dimensions, and smells.

Ultra-wonderful particles (UFPs) are frequently in the nanoparticle dimension vary (more compact than 100 microns) but pose important wellness hazards, while unstable organic and natural compounds (VOCs) are characterised by their distinctly unpleasant odors.

The harmful effects of both equally of these emissions are very well documented, with organizations like the Countrywide Institute for Occupational Basic safety and Overall health (NIOSH) even publishing well being and protection posters especially targeted at 3D printing. Even short-term exposure can lead to a total slew of overall health troubles, such as head aches, eye irritation, skin challenges, respiratory challenges, and problems to the central anxious technique. This can make air filtration crucial in indoor doing the job environments.

The analyze of emissions is an region of active study, and there are a number of components that contribute to how dangerous a 3D printing process actually is, these kinds of as product preference and the method parameters made use of in the make. Scientists from Seoul National College have beforehand investigated the result of nozzle temperature on the emission premiums of harmful particles through FFF 3D printing, identifying that emissions enhanced with temperature in all 4 analyzed polymers.

Somewhere else, scientists from the U.S. Environmental Security Company (EPA) have also examined VOC emissions during FFF 3D printing, this time seeking at composites these as carbon fiber-strengthened Abdominal muscles.

Some of the potential hazards of FFF 3D printing. Image via Sigma-Aldrich.
Some of the probable hazards of FFF 3D printing. Impression by way of Sigma-Aldrich.

BOFA’s 3D PrintPRO selection

BOFA Intercontinental has modest roots, setting up as a tiny family members business enterprise back again in 1987. Due to the fact then, the company has grown to be a key service provider of fume extraction and filtration programs, with workplaces in the British isles, Germany, and the United states of america. The corporation also exports to around 120 international locations close to the globe, serving all method of industries this kind of as electronics, mechanical engineering, dental, prescription drugs, and 3D printing.

The company’s 3D PrintPRO range is developed precisely for additive manufacturing methods, and operates with just about all normally made use of 3D printing systems. This features FFF, SLA, content jetting, and powder bed fusion.

The compact units all provide lively fume extraction performance with optional pace controls, as perfectly as mini pleat layout HEPA filters. The HEPA filters are examined and accredited to a minimum efficiency of 99.997{3a9e182fe41da4ec11ee3596d5aeb8604cbf6806e2ad0e1498384eba6cf2307e} for particles as modest as .3 microns, and 95{3a9e182fe41da4ec11ee3596d5aeb8604cbf6806e2ad0e1498384eba6cf2307e} down to .1 microns.

Knight concludes, “Our partnership with Atome3D.com will aid safeguard end users by eliminating any most likely destructive airborne contaminants while at the exact time optimizing efficiency by protecting against any construct-up of substance on higher-price parts. We seem forward to a very constructive future performing with each other.”

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Featured impression displays the 3D PrintPRO 3. Graphic by using BOFA Global.