Date of Award
January 2016
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
Department
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
Fu Zhao
Committee Member 1
Carol Handwerker
Committee Member 2
Liang Pan
Abstract
3D Printing has been heralded as a revolutionary technology that can change manufacturing and design in the foreseeable future. One of the most popular forms of 3D printing is fused deposition modeling (FDM) where plastic filament is heated to a temperature where it is softened enough to be extruded to build a part, layer by layer. This technique is found in most commercial desktop 3D printers today. Despite the great potential that 3D printing possesses, research studies have shown that ultrafine particles are being generated during the printing process on the order of 1.0 - 1.5 x 105 #/cm3. These ultrafine particles pose a health risk to owners and operators of 3D printers because their small size, less than 100 nm, allows them to penetrate deep within the lungs’ airways. Adding to the potential risk, it is not yet fully understood what the chemical composition of these particles is or how exactly they are being formed during printing.
Recommended Citation
Aguilera, Giovanny, "Characterization of particle emission from desktop 3D printers: A look at the effect of part design and build pathing" (2016). Open Access Theses. 1217.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/open_access_theses/1217