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I'm planning to buy 3D Printer that can only print with ABS (Zortrax). I have a small child (3 months old) at my flat so I'm afraid that fumes can have negative impact on her health.

  • What should I buy or make to absorb fumes produced by 3d Printer?
  • Are there any solutions tailored specially for 3d Printing ?
  • What kind of filters should be used ?
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  • Not really a home improvement question. (Insert rant here about misleading DIY.)
    – keshlam
    Jul 28, 2015 at 14:33
  • Seems to me that if you don't want to breath it, neither would the people outside the window. If the fumes are toxic, or hazardous in any way, you'll want to exhaust them in an approved manner. If you're going to blow it outside untreated, I'd at least exhaust out the roof. That should at least keep it away from other people.
    – Tester101
    Jul 28, 2015 at 19:00
  • I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is about a hobby project rather than home improvement.
    – BMitch ♦
    Jul 29, 2015 at 20:17
  • I'm having the same concern. Can you upload a photo of your solution if you have already produced it? My email: leandromcarvalho@yahoo.com.br
    – LCarvalho
    Sep 19, 2019 at 20:29

3 Answers 3

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I would suggest a box (perhaps a prefab cabinet) around the printer, and a duct leading to an exhaust fan connected to the box, leading to outside (through a wall, or if renting, through a fan-plate inserted in a window opening.)

I would NOT depend on any sort of filter.

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  • Thanks! I started preparing project based on your opinion ignoring filters - just extracting air out of my house by window ventilation. Perhaps I will add some HEPA or Carbon filter into the mix later.
    – mrh
    Jul 28, 2015 at 15:48
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Having done 3D printing with ABS myself, I'm familiar with this challenge. You need to exhaust the fumes--that's the long and short of it. Locate the printer near a window, open the window, and have a fan blowing air out the window every time you use the printer. Crack a window on the other side of your house for make-up air purposes.

Or print with PLA, which does not generate nasty fumes. PLA is a nice material and smells a little like popcorn when melted.

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  • Unfortunately PLA is not an option for me. Thank you for your answer but my concern is health of my child - this is why I want to do something more then you described.
    – mrh
    Jul 28, 2015 at 14:02
  • It's also fun when the fan blows bits of dust and other materials into the material as it sets up. ;-)
    – Craig Tullis
    Jul 28, 2015 at 20:34
  • Air movement is an inherently imperfect solution, since it will affect the cooling characteristics of the material. No way around that, really.
    – iLikeDirt
    Jul 28, 2015 at 21:01
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Look into a downdraft table that you can exhaust outside. These are typically used for sanding or painting but the premise is the same. The table is perforated and sucks air down and then out to a dust collector or other exaust mechanism. You would place the printer on the table and ensure the exaust is running while you print.

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