Is it time to exit desktop resin 3D printing?
I’m reading a provocative post on Reddit, titled “I’m done with resin printing”, where wooligano explains why they have decided to stop using resin 3D printers entirely. They write:
“In the prototyping workshop, none of the machines had ventilation of any kind. Most of the time, the staff would handle uncured resin with bare hands. At some point, they installed an Elegoo printer in our classroom so we could print whenever, and it was kind of just on the floor with a jar of acetone on the side.
Anyways, I got my first printer about 3 years ago. That’s when I learned online that it was a good idea to wear gloves. Then I found out about the fumes and got a filter. And then, by joining subs like this one, I learned more and more, and I just ended up realising that my setup was far from safe still.
So I had to make a decision. I’ve had lots of fun printing things and designing things to print, but my practice is leaning more and more towards using less plastic and definitely trying to avoid toxic and chemical materials. I had lung issues in the past, and that’s no fun. Eczema and dermatitis are no fun either.
This week, after meeting up with a friend who developed chronic dermatitis from chemicals, I finally decided to sell all my equipment and move on from this technique. “
As we’ve written many times, resin 3D printing is far more dangerous than FFF 3D printing. FFF 3D printing can be made safe with some ventilation, while resins are universally toxic and, if not handled properly, can lead to permanent reactions.
It is absolutely possible to safely use resin 3D printers. The problem is that very few desktop resin 3D printer operators actually follow the procedures.
This is partly caused by a lack of knowledge of the dangers and safety procedures required. The blame there is with most (but not all) of the inexpensive resin 3D printer manufacturers, who don’t truly explain the requirements for safe operation, and cheap resins that include very toxic components.
Another cause for this is that there are many steps involved in safe operation, and many people simply don’t want to do them.
Either way, a resin 3D printer operator not working safely will not have any immediate issues. The toxins are cumulative: when your body has absorbed enough of them, it will suddenly — and permanently — react to exposure. I personally know people that can no longer work with resins because of this problem.
In this case, wooligano correctly detected issues and decided to leave before something bad happened. The unfortunate truth is that many resin 3D printer operators will not ask those questions until it is too late.
If you are using resin 3D printing, ask yourself, honestly, this question: Am I truly using this machine and materials safely?
If that answer is no or you’re not sure, you’d better either get safe or get out.
Via Reddit
