As additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing technologies continue their rapid penetration across multiple industry sectors, businesses and organisations are being urged to improve their knowledge about the potential health and safety risks posed by the processes…and what can be done to mitigate these.
AM is known to emit potentially harmful fume, gases and particulate, including nanoparticles, so BOFA International, specialists in portable fume and dust extraction, is delivering a free virtual seminar on 19th March to help companies better understand the hazards.
‘Additive manufacturing / 3D printing safety: What you need to know now’ will be hosted by the company’s industry experts with keynote sessions from R&D, Product Management and Applications Engineering. Together they will explore the risks presented by emissions linked to processes such 3D metal printing and stereolithography.
Luke Ziolkowski, Global Business Development Manager, commented: “AM is growing across multiple industry sectors, including automotive, defence, aerospace, medical devices and electronics, thanks to its ability to shorten production cycles, lower tooling costs and reduce waste material.
Recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen just how valuable AM and 3D printing has been to deliver essential supplies in quick time. However, there is growing evidence that these processes require extraction systems that can filter and capture particulate and fume – including nanoparticles – and return clean air into the environment.”
The hour-long session will help delegates understand the need for fume extraction, look at effective air filtration systems, including the use of carbon filters, to prevent ultrafine particles reaching breathing zones.