3D Printing Dusts - Explosive Metal Dusts.

Vacuums for the safe recovery of metal dusts and dusts from 3D Printing.

The 3D printing process builds a three-dimensional object from a computer-aided design model, usually by successively adding material layer by layer, which is why it is also called additive manufacturing. Control of fugitive dust and housekeeping and cleaning around the 3D printing equipment must also be considered.

We have a complete range of small, medium and large vacuum cleaners for aluminum and titanium dusts, additive manufacturing and 3D printing. Our Explosion-Proof Wet Immersion Separators for aluminum, titanium and other explosive metal dusts are NRTL certified for Division 1 and Group E. We offer both immersion “wet mix” systems as well as dry recovery systems; available in electrically operated or pneumatic (air operated) versions. We offer several equipment protection levels such as Dust Ignition Protected as well as Explosion Proof / Dust Ignition Proof Hazloc vacuum cleaners.

C-10 EX (IT-40L) CFE HEPA W/3D TOOL KIT

• Mini Immersion Separator “Wet (Water) Mix” for 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
• DUST IGNITION PROTECTED
• Division 2, Class II, Groups F & G
• Certified Zone 22 Hazardous Areas / Dust Group IIIC (Conductive Dusts)
• ESD Safe Vacuum Cleaners for Hazardous Locations are designed to prevent ignition hazards.
• We use metal parts or Static Dissipative Powder Coating to prevent Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Features:

• Immersion separator “Wet (Water) Mix”. Only meant to be used with water (no oil)
• Designed for the recovery and INERTIZATION of combustible dust into a liquid immersion bath
• Legally certified dust ignition protected by an OSHA approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)
• Precipitating Dust - complies with NFPA 484 standards
• Coalescing Filter Element (CFE) for moisture removal. HEPAGrade. 99.97% efficiency on 0.3 micron
• Electric
• Recovery tank made of stainless steel SAE 304
• Recovery capacity - 3.25 gal. (12.3L) of water is required in the recovery tank. The conductive “wet” recovery bag has a recovery capacity
• of 3L. 1 gal. (3.8L) of powder can be recovered directly in the tank if the conductive recovery bag is not used
• Degassing vent allows gas to be evacuated automatically from the unit
• Equipped with a liquid level indicator
• Includes a complete static dissipative tool kit

Specifications:

FAQ. Click the + sign to see the answer.

What is Additive Manufacturing?

​Additive Manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D printing. (RP), Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM) and Additive Fabrication (AF)

Why is vacuuming dusts from Additive Manufacturing and 3D printing so important?

The 3D printers used in additive manufacturing usually require cleaning after the process is completed as the dusts can be explosive. Some explosive dusts also interact badly with other explosive dusts. Control of fugitive dust emissions and housekeeping outside of (and around) the 3D printing equipment must also be considered.

Why is it important to do a Risk Analysis / Risk assessment?

Whether the powders or materials used are metal or nonmetal, it is imperative that anyone considering using additive manufacturing perform a risk analysis on the process to determine the hazards involved and how those hazards will be managed.

What kind of Vacuum cleaners are recommended for use in Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing?

Controlled Air Design offers a complete line of vacuum cleaners for additive manufacturing and 3D Printing. We offer both immersion “wet mix” systems as well as dry recovery systems.

What materials are used in additive manufacturing?

The materials used in additive manufacturing can range from starch to photopolymer resins (polymer changes properties when exposed to light) to thermoplastics to metals, such as aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, Inconel alloys, and others.

What type of Wet Immersion Separator Vac should I get for explosive metal dusts like titanium and aluminum?

Make sure the vacuum model is CSA certified (or other accredited testing lab) and recognized by NRTL for: Class I, Division 1, Division 2, Group D, T3C and Class II, Division 1, Division 2, Groups E, F and G. Call us at (800) 635 0298 any time if you have any questions on this.

What is NRTL?

OSHA created the Nationally Recognized Testing Lab (NRTL) program to ensure that certain types of equipment be tested and certified for their safe use in the workplace. A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) is a private-sector organization that OSHA has recognized as meeting the legal requirements in 29 CFR 1910.7 to perform testing and certification of products using consensus based test standards. An organization must have the necessary capability both as a product safety testing laboratory and as a product certification body to receive OSHA recognition as an NRTL. To find out more about the OSHA NRTL program, please follow this link to the OSHA website: https://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/nrtllist.html

What are "conductive vacuum tools and hose"? and what is the difference between a grounded hose and a hose that conducts static?

​In the old days people would run a copper wire inside the hose, or buried within the hose helix, and belive they were dissipating static electricity. It never really worked that well. The word “static” tells us what really happens: the “static” stays where it is and the copper wire really only serves as an additional path to ground. Our Static Conductive Vac Tools and Hoses are impregnated with a high concentration of conductive resins, such as carbon black and various conductive urethane resins. Our Statmax Conductive vac hoses specification sheets contain resistance readings that show the concentarion of conductive resins used: https://www.controlledairdesign.com/images/uploads/files/StatMax_YL_1.pdf

For applications where a grounding wire is called for we have the food grade StatMax with copper grounding wire: https://www.controlledairdesign.com/products/hoses-tools/statmax-grounded

​Click HERE to see a case study.

C-10 EX (IT-40L) DT (CFE) HEPA W/3D TOOL KIT

Mini Enhanced Immersion Separator - Wet Mix (Water or Oil)

• Designed for the recovery and INERTIZATION of combustible dust into a liquid immersion bath
• Enhanced Mini Immersion Separator - Wet Mix - Can be used with either water or oil. When using water, you can recover material into the conductive “wet” recovery bag or directly into the recovery tank.
• When using oil, you must recover into the conductive “wet” recovery bag only
• Legally certified dust ignition protected by an OSHA approved
• Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)
• Precipitating Dust - complies with NFPA 484 standards
• Coalescing Filter Element (CFE) for moisture removal. HEPA Grade. 99.97% efficiency on 0.3 micron
• Electric
• Recovery tank made of stainless steel SAE 304
• Recovery capacity - 3.25 gal. (12.3L) of liquid is required in the recovery tank. The conductive “wet” Recovery Bag has a recovery capacity of 4.5L. 1.5 gal. (5.5L) of powder can be recovered directly in the tank if the conductive recovery bag is not used
• Degassing vent allows gas to be evacuated automatically from the unit
• Equipped with a liquid level indicator
• Includes a complete static dissipative tool kit

Specifications:

Wet Immersion Vacuum for Metal Dusts and Group E Compliance

EXP1-10 W/3D TOOL KIT

• Immersion separator “Wet (Water) Mix”. Only meant to be used with water (no oil)
• Designed for the recovery and INERTIZATION of combustible dust into a liquid immersion bath
• Legally certified explosion proof/dust ignition proof by an OSHA approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)
• Precipitating Dust - complies with NFPA 484 standards
• Coalescing Filter Element (CFE) for moisture removal. HEPA Grade. 99.97% efficiency on 0.3 micron
• Electric
• Recovery tank made of stainless steel SAE 304
• Recovery capacity - 3.25 gal. (12.3L) of water is required in the recovery tank. The conductive “wet” recovery bag has a recovery capacity of 3L. 1 gal. (3.8L) of powder can be recovered directly in the tank if the conductive recovery bag is not used
• Degassing vent allows gas to be evacuated automatically from the unit
• Equipped with a liquid level indicator
• Includes a complete static dissipative tool kit

Specifications:

EXP1 Models are Certified for: Class I, Division 1, Division 2, Group D, T3C and Class II, Division 1, Division 2, Groups E, F and G

Features:

• Designed for the recovery and INERTIZATION of combustible dust into a liquid immersion bath
• Enhanced Mini Immersion Separator - Wet Mix - Can be used with either water or oil. When using water, you can recover material into the conductive “wet” recovery bag or directly into the recovery tank. When using oil, you must recover into the conductive “wet” recovery bag only
• Legally certified explosion proof/dust ignition proof
• Precipitating Dust complies with NFPA 484 standards
• Coalescing Filter Element (CFE) for moisture removal. HEPA Grade. 99.97% efficiency on 0.3 micron
• Electric
• Recovery tank made of stainless steel SAE 304
• Recovery capacity - 3.25 gal. (12.3L) of liquid is required in the recovery tank. The conductive"wet” Recovery Bag has a recovery capacity of 4.5L. 1.5 gal. (5.5L)of powder can be recovered directly in the tank if the conductive recovery bagis not used
• Degassing vent allows gas to be evacuated automatically from the unit
• Equipped with a liquid level indicator
• Includes a complete static dissipative tool kit

​Click here to see a case study

ATEX-10A (IT-40L) CFE HEPA

Pneumatic (air-operated) Mini Immersion Separator “Wet (Water) Mix” for 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing

Division 1, Class I, Groups A, B, C and D Division 1, Class II, Groups E, F, G Hazardous Locations as defined in the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)

ESD Safe Vacuum Cleaners for Hazardous Locations are designed to prevent ignition hazards. We use metal parts or Static Dissipative Powder Coating to prevent Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Features:

• Immersion separator “Wet (Water) Mix”. Only meant to be used with water (no oil)
• Designed for the recovery and INERTIZATION of combustible dust into a liquid immersion bath
• Legally certified explosion proof/dust ignition proof
• Precipitating Dust - complies with NFPA 484 standards
• Coalescing Filter Element (CFE) for moisture removal. HEPA Grade. 99.97% efficiency on 0.3 micron
• Pneumatic (air-operated). Can run continuously without overheating or wear
• Recovery tank made of stainless steel SAE 304
• Recovery capacity - 3.25 gal. (12.3L) of water is required in the recovery tank. The conductive “wet” recovery bag has a recovery capacity of 3L. 1 gal. (3.8L) of powder can be recovered directly in the tank if the conductive recovery bag is not used
• Degassing vent allows gas to be evacuated automatically from the unit
• Equipped with a liquid level indicator
• Includes a complete static dissipative tool kit
• Low noise level - only 68 dB(A)
• Pressure regulator included. Pressure regulator is adjustable between 0 psi. (0 bar) to 150 psi. (10 bars). It is factory set at 80 psi. (5.5 bars) for ideal performance and noise level

Specifications:

ATEX-10A (IT-40L) DT CFE HEPA W3D TOOL KIT

Mini Enhanced Immersion Separator - Wet Mix (Water or Oil)

Division 1, Class I, Groups A, B, C and D
Division 1, Class II, Groups E, F, G
Hazardous Locations as defined in the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)

• Designed for the recovery and

  INERTIZATION of combustible dust into a liquid immersion bath water, you can recover material into the conductive “wet” recovery bag or directly into the recovery tank. When using oil, you must recover into the conductive “wet” recovery bag only “wet” Recovery Bag has a recovery capacity of 4.5L. 1.5 gal. (5.5L) of powder can be recovered directly in the tank if the conductiverecovery bag is not used bars). It is factory set at 80 psi. (5.5 bars) for ideal performance and noise level

• Enhanced Mini ImmersionSeparator - Wet Mix - Can be used with either water or oil. When using
• Legally certified explosion proof/dust ignition proof
• Precipitating Dust - complies with NFPA 484 standards
• Coalescing Filter Element (CFE) for moisture removal. HEPA Grade. 99.97% efficiency on 0.3 micron
• Pneumatic (air-operated). Can run continuously without overheating or wear
• Recovery tank made of stainless steel SAE 304
• Recovery capacity - 3.25 gal. (12.3L) of liquid is required in the recovery tank. The conductive
• Degassing vent allows gas to be evacuated automatically from the unit
• Equipped with a liquid level indicator
• Includes a complete static dissipative tool kit
• Low noise level - only 68 dB(A)
• Pressure regulator included. Pressure regulator is adjustable between 0 psi. (0 bar) to 150 psi. (10

Specifications:

Larger units are also available:

Please see this video on our bonding technique:

Related Files

•  Stat-Shield Grounded Hose
•  Stat-Shield Conductive Vacuum Hose
•  2019 Combustible Dust Incident Report