What is Additive Manufacturing?
Additive Manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D printing. (RP), Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM) and Additive Fabrication (AF)
Vacuums for 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
Wet-immersion and dry vacuums for control of fugitive dust and housekeeping and cleaning around the 3D printing equipment.
Explosion Proof Vacuums for Aluminum Dust and 3D Printing
Dry and Wet Vacuuming of Conductive Metal Powders
Tiger-Vac® EXP1-20 DT (PRS-HEC) RE HEPA for dry recovery of up to 5 Lbs. of aluminum dust.
Tiger-Vac® EXP1-20 DT (PRS-HEC) RE HEPA for 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Suitable for all AM applications (both plastic & metal). Facilitates the extraction & recovery of powder from the AM machine powder bed and build chamber.
The integrated cyclonic pre-separator can separate and collect up to 98% of the powder before it enters the vacuum
The powder is recovered in the detachable recovery tank made of stainless steel SAE 304 Recovered powder can be easily disposed or re-used depending on the application Meets NFPA 484 for Additive Manufacturing.
Click HERE for specifications.
For use in areas that are:
Division 1, Class I, Group D and Class II, Groups E, F and G, T3C
Division 2, Class I, Group D and Class II, Groups F and G, T3C
Portable Explosion-Proof Vacuum for 3D Printing Dust 110v
Tiger-Vac® EXP1-10 (IT-40L) CFE HEPA
Tiger-Vac® EXP1-10 (IT-40L) EX DT (CFE) HEPA W/3D TOOL KIT is fully compliant with NFPA 484 for the safe recovery and neutralization of combustible dust into a liquid immersion bath.
The tank recovery capacity is 3.25 gal. (12.3L) The conductive "wet" recovery bag has a recovery capacity of 3L (0.8 gal).
Featuring a coalescing filter element (CSE) and a 99.97% efficiency on .3 Microns HEPA filter, the exhausted air is clean and breathable. Includes a static-dissipative hose & tool kit. We also offer a wide variety of dissipative and conductive vacuuming hoses and tools.
Click HERE for specifications.
For use in areas that are:
Class I, Division 1, Division 2, Group D, T3C and Class II, Division 1, Division 2, Groups E, F and G.
Click HERE to see a case study.
ATEX Liquid Immersion Vac with 3D Tool Kit
Tiger-Vac® ATEX-10A (IT-40L) CFE HEPA
The Tiger-Vac® ATEX-10A (IT-40L) CFE HEPA is a “Wet Mix” vacuum for recovery of combustible dust into a liquid immersion bath. The total recovery volume is .8 gallons. Completely pneumatic, requires no electricity. It can run continuously without generating any heat or static electricity.
Aluminum dust and water combine to make hydrogen gas. The ATEX-10A (IT-40L) CFE HEPA has a degassing vent to avoid build up of gasses.
Low noise level at only 68 dB(A).
Click HERE to see a Case Study.
Click HERE for specifications.
For use in areas that are:
Division 1, Class I, Groups A, B, C and D Division 1, Class II, Groups E, F, G.
ATEX Liquid Immersion Vac 40L
Tiger-Vac® ATEX-10A (IT-40L) DT CFE HEPA W/3D TOOL KIT
The Tiger-Vac® ATEX-10A (IT-40L) DT CFE HEPA W/3D TOOL KIT Mini Enhanced Immersion Separator - Wet Mix (Water or Oil).
Click HERE for specifications.
For use in areas that are:
Division 1, Class I, Groups A, B, C and D Division 1, Class II, Groups E, F, G.
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 conductive recovery bag is not used bars). It is factory set at 80 psi. (5.5 bars) for ideal performance and noise level.
FAQ Section
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