Facilitating Safe FFF 3D Printing: A Prototype Material Case Study

Panagiotis Karayannis, Stratos Saliakas, Ioannis Kokkinopoulos, Spyridon Damilos, Elias P. Koumoulos, Eleni Gkartzou, Julio Gomez and Constantinos Charitidis
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Panagiotis Karayannis: IRES—Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions, Rue Koningin Astridlaan 59B, 1780 Wemmel, Belgium
Stratos Saliakas: IRES—Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions, Rue Koningin Astridlaan 59B, 1780 Wemmel, Belgium
Ioannis Kokkinopoulos: IRES—Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions, Rue Koningin Astridlaan 59B, 1780 Wemmel, Belgium
Spyridon Damilos: IRES—Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions, Rue Koningin Astridlaan 59B, 1780 Wemmel, Belgium
Elias P. Koumoulos: IRES—Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions, Rue Koningin Astridlaan 59B, 1780 Wemmel, Belgium
Eleni Gkartzou: School of Chemical Engineering, R-Nano Lab, Laboratory of Advanced, Composite, Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, National Technical University of Athens, 15773 Athens, Greece
Julio Gomez: Avanzare Innovacion Tecnologica S.L., Av. Lentiscares 4-6, 26370 Navarrete, Spain
Constantinos Charitidis: School of Chemical Engineering, R-Nano Lab, Laboratory of Advanced, Composite, Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, National Technical University of Athens, 15773 Athens, Greece

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-26

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has introduced a paradigm shift in the manufacturing world, and it is increasing in popularity. In cases of such rapid and widespread acceptance of novel technologies, material or process safety issues may be underestimated, due to safety research being outpaced by the breakthroughs of innovation. However, a definitive approach in studying the various occupational or environmental risks of new technologies is a vital part of their sustainable application. In fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing, the practicality and simplicity of the method are juxtaposed by ultrafine particle (UFP) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emission hazards. In this work, the decision of selecting the optimal material for the mass production of a microfluidic device substrate via FFF 3D printing is supported by an emission/exposure assessment. Three candidate prototype materials are evaluated in terms of their comparative emission potential. The impact of nozzle temperature settings, as well as the microfluidic device’s structural characteristics regarding the magnitude of emissions, is evaluated. The projected exposure of the employees operating the 3D printer is determined. The concept behind this series of experiments is proposed as a methodology to generate an additional set of decision-support decision-making criteria for FFF 3D printing production cases.

Keywords: exposure assessment; 3D printing; ultrafine particles; microfluidics; fused filament fabrication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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