When printing metal parts, the issue of safety risks of metal powders has to be addressed.
From a practical manufacturing point of view, each stage of metal 3D printing generates a different source of contamination (or substance) which in turn can cause specific hazards.
Metal powders for metal 3D printing, with particle size distributions typically in the tens of micrometers, can be inhaled into the lungs or alveoli. Low densities titanium, aluminum and their alloys, are all reactive metals. The risk is particularly high and must be subject to specific limits on dust concentrations. Other metal powders, such as steel or other nickel-containing alloys, are classified by the Hazardous Substances Directive as carcinogenic, mutagenic and reproductively toxic materials. Prolonged exposure to and inhalation of powder particles poses certain health risks to the operator.
Hazards also exist during the printing of components. In addition to the exhaust gases from the melting process, which are partly carried into the filtration system, some of these gases may be discharged into the external space of the printing system, thus contaminating the indoor environment. Along with the exhaust gases, a portion of inert gases such as nitrogen and especially argon are also a source of risk. Maintenance processes of the equipment, such as the cleaning of filter systems, in which dust and ash are even finer than metal particles, are likely to cause fires or even explosions due to problems with the stability of the components if not handled properly.
Metal powders must be handled with extreme care and, where possible, in a protective atmosphere. Totally enclosed processes are now being emphasized by equipment manufacturers. Metal printer brand owners are realizing fully enclosed operations for all processes from powder filling, cleaning and even midway refilling. This spatial division or encapsulation minimizes dust exposure and hazards. In this case, 3D printing glove box becomes a preferred equipment.
3D printing technology, as a pioneering and very strong emerging technology, has a subversive significance and role in the process transformation of the traditional manufacturing industry.
Metal 3D printing inert gas protection system is a set of high-performance, high-quality automatic absorption of water, oxygen molecules super purification protection glove box. It provides a 1ppm O2 and H2O inert atmosphere that can meet specific cleaning requirement applications.
Metal 3D printing enables the placement of the selective laser dissolution device body inside a sealed chamber. The hermetically sealed chamber forms a closed loop with a multi-stage dust handpiece and an air circulation unit. Argon gas circulates in this closed loop, and the water content in the system reaches less than 1ppm index, and the oxygen content reaches less than 1ppm index, realizing the environment of ultra-high purity working atmosphere. The products can be directly applied, reducing the reprocessing link, is a set of scientific research and development to meet the design of the economic cycle of purification system.
More than just a “D” in 4D Printing over 3D Printing
At the beginning of the development of 4D printing, it was widely believed that 4D printing just adds a time dimension on the basis of 3D printing. That is, the printed object can adjust itself over time in terms of morphology and structure, and ultimately automatically meet the pre-designed requirements.
Scientists believe that the concept of 4D printing should include at least two aspects:
One is that it adds a new time dimension on the basis of 3D printing, while the spatial dimension has also been further expanded to enhance the ability of the printed components to change over time and space.
The second is that under the stimulation of specific external environmental conditions, 4D printing is not only capable of manufacturing components with controllable changes in shape, but also capable of manufacturing components with controllable changes in performance and function.
The so-called 4D printing is accurately described as a material that can automatically deform. In specific conditions (such as temperature, humidity, magnetic field changes, etc.), it does not need to be connected to any complex electromechanical equipment, according to the product design can be automatically folded into the corresponding shape.
Through the 3D printer equipment, printing deformation material technology is called 4D printing. 4D printing is the use of programmable technology, or 3D printing to create a predetermined stimulus. In the external environment changes, 4D printing objects can be with the change of time and environment changes in its shape and performance. The realization of 4D printing is on the basis of 3D printing and the continuation of 3D printing. 4D printing is also considered to be the 3D printing of smart materials.
As human society strides towards the intelligent era, 4D printing technology is timely. It has shown good prospects for application and development in many fields.
