3D Printing Safety
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Formlabs Safety Data Sheets
Make informed decisions on what and how you’re printing. Formlabs Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide comprehensive safety information on materials, including recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).
FAQ and Common Terms
Get answers to frequently asked questions and a breakdown of some of the common resin terms.
Formlabs Alpha Resins
UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified for Low VOC Emissions
The Alpha Resins are the first resin printing materials to achieve UL GREENGUARD Gold*, an independent standard certifying low VOC emissions for homes, offices, schools, and other indoor environments. This certification is for the printing process - not just for a final part.
*when printed on Form Studio 1 using VOC Extractor
SLA Resin Analysis and Hazard Report
We analyzed dozens of Formlabs and third-party resins to evaluate if manufacturers accurately communicate the associated hazards of their respective formulations. Learn more about the results and suggestions for how to print more safely in our report.
Looking for a resin that isn't listed? Tell us which one you'd like tested. We’ll publish results for the most requested materials.
Risk Mitigation Guide
Not all resin 3D printers are created equal. Low-cost printers can expose users to hazardous chemicals like ACMO, messy manual workflows, and missing safety data. Learn how Formlabs designs safety into every step, from auto-dispensing cartridges and ACMO-free resins to sealed post-processing and dedicated support.
Low VOC, low odor
Alpha Resins emit few VOCs, creating a safer, more pleasant print environment—for your home or office.
The picture experiment measures VOC emissions in a sealed chamber over two hours. A competing printer and resin produced high VOC levels. Form Studio 1 with Alpha Resins produced far lower levels, the result of carefully vetted ingredients and upgraded air handling. In a third test, we added VOC Extractor, and levels were barely above baseline.
Powder Safety
Information is power. From air quality to PPE, we’ve done tests and run studies so you have the information you need to set up your workspace and print safely.
Air Quality & Dust Hazard Analysis
Air quality is one of the top concerns for powder printing. To get the real data, two studies were performed at Formlabs SLS facilities: an air quality assessment in accordance with OSHA regulations and a combustible and dust hazard analysis in accordance with NFPA regulations.
Average airborne powder concentrations are below 2% of the OSHA permissible exposure limit for the total particulate matter and respirable particulate matter.
Formlabs SLS powders are considered to be difficult to ignite and explode.
The overall risk from an employee safety perspective is considered to be negligible.
Whether you’re printing with Formlabs SLA or SLS, safety starts when you set up your workspace.
To make it easy, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about hardware setup, materials, and workflow, so you can make informed decisions about how and where you print.
Hardware Designed With Safety in Mind
Formlabs hardware, from 3D printers to post-processing, is designed for performance and safety. What does this look like?
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Explore Formlabs 3D Printers
Explore our 3D printers to find the right solution or contact a Formlabs 3D printing expert for a consultation.
