I had a word with JuggerBot3D about their amazing PVC 3D printer.
PVC is a dangerous material in manufacturing as it contains some toxic chemicals. In our workshop, for example, it is banned from use on the laser cutters because that would emit chlorine gas. That could damage equipment or, worse, the operators.
JuggerBot3D announced the unique PVC 3D printer back in November, but we had a look at the device last week.
PVC is highly desirable as a material because it can be used in applications that would otherwise corrode the parts. One mentioned to us was large prints for sewer gas piping. These can easily be 3D printed on the P3-44 ASTRA, making it possible to produce unusual designs that would be very hard to make with traditional methods.
But how, exactly, did JuggerBot3D make a PVC 3D printer? When the material is heated, there are corrosive gases produced, and that could cause all sorts of bad things to happen.
It turns out the company devised a four-step program to transform their 3D printer into a PVC-compatible device.
The first layer is “Prevention”. This meant they had to include governors of various sorts in the machine. They monitor temperatures, for example, and never let them exceed proscribed values. There are time limits on processing. There are sensors on the doors so they cannot be opened during printing.
The second layer is “Containment”. Here they have fully enclosed the build chamber — all leaks are covered. The chamber is also insulated, and a bellows is used to increase chamber temperatures.
The third layer is “Extraction”. They have a special vent on the rear of the machine that is used to extract fumes produced during printing. The fumes are then sent to twin BOFA fume extractors where the noxious chemicals are removed.
The final layer is “Protection”, where they provide some unique capabilities.
The device has been well received by their customers. For example, a large part that would normally have taken more than two weeks to carefully weld manually was transformed into a 40-hour 3D print job. That’s a significant saving in not only time, but also on the cost of the part.
This is quite an accomplishment by JuggerBot3D, and demonstrates that today’s 3D printers can indeed be adapted to enable production of highly unusual materials, even dangerous ones.
Via JuggerBot3D
