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Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?  

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LaForg3
(@laforg3)
Active Member
Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

Hi,

are there any downsides when printing Prusament PETG using an enclosure? By saying downsides I mean all aspects not just the printed part itself, f.e. printer hardware, electronics and so on.

Besides the fact that it's not necessary regarding the filamemt itself I noticed much less "smell" and I am asking this primarily for health reasons regarding microparticles emitted while printing.

It is clear to me that an enclosure obviously helps reducing the spread of microparticles but will not completely prevent it. My thoughts are better less than nothing.

Thanks in advance for your answers. 

Posted : 27/05/2021 5:36 am
ssill2
(@ssill2)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

I think there are numerous upsides to an enclosure.   The big filaments you need to worry about are ABS and ASA.   

Being in enclosure though can:

Reduce noise
Cut down on the dust that settles on your printer
Avoid environmental temperature fluctuations
Be hooked up to ventilation for filaments like ABS/ASA

I think at some point you might have to worry about too high a temp inside your enclosure damaging the electronics, but unless you print in a pretty hot area I think this is unlikely.   My printers are down in the basement where it never gets above 23C and in the winter the night time temps get down to 19 sometimes.  But I've been printing in enclosures on both my printers for quite sometime.  In my case it also keeps the cats from getting into things.

Posted : 27/05/2021 1:09 pm
LaForg3
(@laforg3)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

@ssill2

Thank your very much for your answer. So PETG prints fine using an enclosure?

Before anyone asks I tested some Parts and had no issues until yet using an enclosure for PETG but maybe there are some additional informations that are not yet clear to me someone could share with me.

Thank you.

Posted : 27/05/2021 1:19 pm
ssill2
(@ssill2)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

@laforg3

totally.  ABS, TPU, PLA, PETG, all print fine in an enclosure for me.

Posted : 27/05/2021 1:34 pm
Swiss_Cheese
(@swiss_cheese)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

Schrodinger's printer, collapse those wave functions baby.

The Filament Whisperer

Posted : 27/05/2021 2:54 pm
ssill2 liked
ssill2
(@ssill2)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

@swiss_cheese

are the printers alive or dead 🙂

Posted : 27/05/2021 2:58 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

Like was said above, ASA and ABS release fumes and particles that may be harmful to you health.  It is somewhat theoretical.  The only filament that may be hindered form printing in an enclosure is PLA but ti would have to get pretty warm.  I have eight of 17 printers in enclosures.  I leave the door open if printing PLA, but that is possibly unnecessary.    PETG prints fine in my enclosure.

I struggle to reach 40C, but the enclosures do limit draft, dust, and odors.  

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 27/05/2021 3:19 pm
Swiss_Cheese
(@swiss_cheese)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?
Posted by: @ssill2

@swiss_cheese

are the printers alive or dead 🙂

Yes.

The Filament Whisperer

Posted : 27/05/2021 6:19 pm
ssill2 liked
ssill2
(@ssill2)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

@swiss_cheese

That's the right answer!  I would have also accepted 42

Posted : 27/05/2021 6:22 pm
Swiss_Cheese
(@swiss_cheese)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

however in this instance your MMU is both succeeding and failing simultaneously, until you observe it, by my calculations if you spray paint that box black and never look in it you could never have a failed MMU print again, or they could all fail 🤔  

The Filament Whisperer

Posted : 27/05/2021 6:23 pm
ssill2 liked
Swiss_Cheese
(@swiss_cheese)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

My favorite number

The Filament Whisperer

Posted : 27/05/2021 6:23 pm
ssill2 liked
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

@ssill2

42?  Naw - 7 - that that’s the ticket.  

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 27/05/2021 6:26 pm
ssill2
(@ssill2)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

@swiss_cheese

well said!  for me the the MMU is the very embodiment of Schrodinger's cat experiment haha

Posted : 27/05/2021 6:27 pm
Swiss_Cheese
(@swiss_cheese)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

@Charles

 

7 may be lucky, but 42 is the answer to life the universe and everything, i think its got 7 beat.

The Filament Whisperer

Posted : 27/05/2021 6:28 pm
ssill2 liked
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

@swiss_cheese

Back to the question, is anyone tracking and documented research that indicated a health condition associated with printing PETG?  I just did a lot search.  There is not much.  

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 27/05/2021 6:40 pm
ssill2
(@ssill2)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

https://www.3dupfitters.com/products/fan-and-charcoal-air-filter

I just bought one of these recently and there's a link on this page about studies.

Posted : 27/05/2021 6:42 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

@ssill2

The issue with many of these studies is they highlight a “potential risk” and not a documented risk.  I have a HEPA and carbon fiber filter.  I did it for smell and reduce odors.  I am not sold on the risk yet.  

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 27/05/2021 7:16 pm
ssill2
(@ssill2)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

@cwbullet

To  each their own of course.   Women also painted watch faces with radium before folks knew it was bad for them....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium_Girls

Posted : 27/05/2021 7:23 pm
Swiss_Cheese
(@swiss_cheese)
Noble Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

@Madame Marie Curie,

 

Thanks,

The Filament Whisperer

Posted : 27/05/2021 7:30 pm
ssill2 liked
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Prusament PETG using enclosure for health reasons?

@ssill2

Good points.  Before I spend $800 on a great filter system, I would like a little evidence that it is harmful.  Then again, I am not living in the room with the printers.  

PETG is not radium.  

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 27/05/2021 7:31 pm
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