Industrial extraction system manufacturer Donaldson BOFA has launched an enclosure that promises to protect users against the harmful fumes emitted during desktop 3D printing.
As first reported by 3dprintr.com, the company’s new Shield system is designed to both reduce the emissions and temperature fluctuations of open-frame FDM 3D printers. In doing so, the device is said to improve performance while shielding operators from airborne chemicals, even in applications like smart labs and print farms where multiple machines are in operation.
“This new robust enclosure will not only help to maintain temperature and airflow stability in open-framed printers, it will also contribute to a more comfortable workplace environment by reducing the odor and noise associated with additive manufacturing,” explained Bruno Cinto, a Product Specialist at Donaldson BOFA.
“Shield is ideal for an agile working environment, weighing only 20 kilos, so it can easily be moved around to where it is needed,” he added. “It can be bundled with the Donaldson BOFA 3D Print Pro 3 and V 600 extraction.”
Though not as harmful as resin 3D printing fumes, it’s generally accepted that the nanoparticles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted when FDM printing certain materials are bad for your health. Printing ABS filaments, for example, will emit pretty toxic fumage, requiring users to ensure good ventilation. PLA, on the other hand, is a much greener material.
One of the problems with leaving windows and doors open for ventilation is that it impacts print temperature and performance. Donaldson BOFA’s new product helps users sidestep this issue with a multifunctional shield that blocks fumes while preventing product quality decline.
Other features of note include noise dampening, dual access points, and a transparent acrylic shell – so users can still keep an eye on print progress. Deliberately oversized for easy removal, the system features configurable feed-through, as well as an adjustable door orientation.
Its easy to assemble flatpack design lends it a level of accessibility that could see it used across the maker space. When used alongside the company’s 3DPrintPro 3 and V 600 systems, the device may also find its way into the professional engineering segment, whether it be dental labs, university makerspaces, design shops, or small-scale print farms.
