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Safety management in metal AM
Safety management in metal Additive Manufacturing: Observations from industry In the following article, UL LLC’s Balakrishnan V Nair discusses key safety issues in metal Additive Manufacturing, identifying some of the principal sources of risk associated with production operations and sharing safety concerns as encountered in UL’s work with metal AM clients globally. In addition, Nair highlights some of the benefits that many AM facilities have enjoyed as a result of the successful implementation of sound safety practices.
According to The Wohler’s Report 2018, sales of metal AM systems increased by nearly 80% between 2016 and 2017, making metal AM a key driver in the overall adoption of AM technologies and systems intended for industrial applications [1]. However, although AM has the potential to transform modern industrial production, it also raises new considerations for manufacturers and users that include potential safety issues. The introduction of Additive Manufacturing into mainstream manufacturing brings with it new safety issues concerning workplace safety, health and the environment. In general, these safety concerns in metal AM facilities can be attributed to one or more of the following sources: Materials Metal powders used in AM processes are typically microscopic in size (< 100 µm) and often pose toxicity, reactivity, combustibility and instability hazards. Dust clouds, formed for example by the accidental swirling of powders, have the potential to
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catch fire and explode under certain conditions. Other hazards include health-related risks resulting from inhalation, ingestion or contact with the skin. Equipment Some of the equipment used in metal AM involves potentially hazardous energy sources such as lasers and
electron beams. As AM technology evolves, the design of production equipment is becoming more and more complex. Typical equipment hazards include electrical energy hazards, irradiation hazards, entrapment, thermal hazards and others. Some of these hazards can be life threatening if not properly mitigated.
Fig. 1 Although AM has the potential to transform modern industrial production, it also raises new considerations for manufacturers and users that include potential safety issues
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