3D Printing

Health Risk from 3D Printing Dust

When parts come out of a 3D printer, they have edges or burrs that need to be sanded down to create a smooth finished part. Airborne dust from the printing and finishing process, creates an air quality hazard for workers. The impact on indoor air quality depends on factors such as:

  • Proper use of capture-at-source filtration equipment
  • Efficiency of Personal Protection Equipment, such as a respirator
  • Material type, composition, and presence coatings or solvents
  • Frequency and duration of 3D printing and post-processing

Dusts measuring 0.5 micron and smaller are particularly dangerous, as they can easily the lungs of nearby workers. Health risks from 3D printers may include:

  • Mild respiratory irritation
  • Respiratory damage
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Headaches and dizziness
  • Excess fluid in the lungs
  • Irritated eyes, nose and throat
  • Lead poisoning
  • Chest pain
  • Nervous system damage

3D Printing with Downdraft

Downdraft tables are the preferred solution for collecting 3D printing dust, since the ventilated work surface captures particles at source dust without operator intervention. Plastic 3D printing dust can be easily captured and collected using a cartridge style portable downdraft table.

When 3D printing on metals like aluminum, titanium and magnesium, a wet downdraft table is required to protect against fire or explosion.

Learn More About Combustible Dust Safety

Our Downdraft tables and booths offer many innovative options that improve performance, depending on your application. Factors to consider are:

  • Dimension and shape of printed parts
  • 3D Printer mounting or positioning
  • Material Type (plastic, metal, ceramic)
  • Indoor or outdoor exhaust

If the operator will be seated during use, consider our extended overhang configuration. “EO” models extend the front table lip to 12″, creating a more comfortable and ergonomic workspace when seated.

They trust us

“Diversitech was very helpful in providing useful information to solve our particular Dust Collection problem.
Our users have all had good things to say about the product and working with Ron Morris was a pleasure.
He provided all the support we needed in getting our system up and running.
I would recommend Diversitech to anyone that needed a similar product.
It is very well made and easy to use and maintain.”

  • Reduced hazardous dusts from work areas
  • Provided cleaner breathing air for operators

« As a repeat customer, and owner of both wet and dry downdraft tables, we cannot say enough about the products, and the people at Diversitech…….both are a pleasure to work with! »

  • Combustible dust from deburring safely contained with wet downdraft tables
  • Solved excess dust from grinding and finishing steel parts
  • Reduced cycle time by allowing operators to deburr near the machining center

« The tables are now fully functioning! The students were on them yesterday, and the instructors were so impressed. One instructor even said that he’s “old school” and wasn’t sure about the downdrafts, but he was very impressed. »

  • Custom powder coated tables to match "Baton Rouge Red"
  • Delivered tables "on-time" to five separate campus locations
  • Nanofiber filter technolgy ensure students have a clean and safe learning environment

« We love the downdraft table and are using it full time. We will probably be looking for another one in 6 months to a year as well. Thanks for a nice product. »

  • Mini DD eliminates deburring dust at source
  • Supplied cushion grid matting to protect parts from damage
  • Downdraft table filters airborne dust to protect workers and machinery

Our Commitment

2 year warranty
Quality build
Certified products (ETL)
Fast delivery