By now, we all probably agree that having an air filter in your 3D printing space is essential. Not only do 3D printers produce emissions (ultrafine particles and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)) that can pose health hazards, but some materials also produce an odor while printing. That makes it necessary to have a safe, clean, and odor-free space while on your 3D printing adventures.
One of the ways to achieve this is by using an air filtration system.
So hopefully, you already have a BOFA filtration system (or any other suitable air filter for 3D printing) in place to keep your 3D printing space safe and clear of VOCs and other particles. Or you’re considering purchasing one to use with your new printer. Whatever the case, you might wonder how to make your filtration system last longer so that you do not need to replace it ever so often.
Other factors aside from your filter can cause a shortened filter life, such as the set-up, printing process, materials used, and the day-to-day maintenance of the technology. We dive into some of these causes below.
According to Josh Evans, Applications Engineer at BOFA, there are two principal causes of a shortened filter life:
The BOFA engineer goes on to highlight some other factors that may cut short the life of your air filter:
The volume of particles or gases generated in the processes would affect the life span of your filter. Lasering or soldering, for example, might generate a lot of small particles, which, without a pre-filter, might block a filter like the HEPA. A solution would be to purchase a higher-efficiency pre-filter to help extend the HEPA filter life.
The Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI) has shown materials like nylon, ASA, and ABS produce higher emissions than others. This can, inevitably, reduce filter life. Using other kinds of material can result in extended filter life due to lower emissions and maybe even give you some savings on material costs.
It helps to have a system control system from the manufacturers of your air filter so that they can notice any blockages quickly from the system logs. “In this case, BOFA’s Intelligent Operating System (iQ) independently monitors each filter within an extraction system, making it easier for manufacturers to identify any filters blocking faster than anticipated,” says Evans. Once you share your system log with BOFA engineers, they’ll assess it to determine the root cause of your filter getting blocked prematurely.
So, you’ve read about the causes of a short filter lifespan and maybe gotten some ideas for what to look out for or change to get the most out of your air filter.
In summary, these are five ways to extend the life of your air filter:
At Shop3D, we’re big on customer support and are happy to answer any questions you may have before purchasing any of our filtration systems. Also, if you’re looking to service your air filter or extractor, don’t hesitate to create a service ticket. You’ll be glad you did.
