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Cleaning a solvent spill

Cleaning a solvent spill

A solvent spill can contaminate sensitive machine components or damage the surrounding area. They can also present a slipping or fire hazard, depending on the solvent you use. If you have a solvent spill, promptly clean and inspect the machine as well as the immediate area to minimize the damage.

Tip:

Contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller if the spill damages a Formlabs product.

Required supplies

Keep emergency tools in a known, accessible location. When working with isopropyl alcohol or other flammable chemicals, consider purchasing a flammable solvent cleanup kit.

Supplies:

  • Apron
  • Non-reactive nitrile gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Shoe covers

Cleaning an IPA spill

Spilled IPA presents an immediate fire and health hazard. IPA spills must be cleaned immediately. Use only disposable supplies to clean up an IPA spill to avoid risk of fire.

Danger:

When handling isopropyl alcohol, always consult the safety data sheet (SDS) from the isopropyl alcohol supplier as the primary source of information. Handle isopropyl alcohol with gloves in a well-ventilated area. Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flame. Isopropyl alcohol evaporates rapidly, so keep the wash bucket and bottles closed whenever possible.

Tip:

For extensive IPA spills, consider using a flammable solvent cleanup kit.

To clean an IPA spill:

  1. Put on a pair of disposable nitrile gloves.
  2. If a wash cycle is in progress, cancel the wash on the touchscreen.
  3. Unplug the device from its power source.
  4. Absorb excess IPA with paper towels.
  5. Clean up any remaining residue using paper towels wet with water.
  6. Dispose of any tools used to clean up the spill (paper towels soaked with IPA, gloves coated in IPA) with hazardous waste according to local regulations.

 

Cleaning a TPM spill

Spilled TPM does not present an immediate fire or health hazard, but it does leave an oily residue that can be slippery. TPM evaporates very slowly, so the spill won’t dry by itself.

To clean a TPM spill:

  1. Put on a pair of disposable nitrile gloves.
  2. If a wash cycle is in progress, cancel the wash on the touchscreen.
  3. Unplug the device from its power source.
  4. Absorb excess TPM with paper towels.
  5. Clean up any remaining residue with paper towels wet with water.
  6. Dispose of tools used to clean up a TPM spill (paper towels soaked with TPM, gloves coated in TPM) with hazardous waste according to local regulations.

 

Cleaning the Form Wash/Form Wash L

If any solvent spills on the display or knob, promptly clean and inspect the Form Wash/Form Wash L to minimize any cosmetic or functional damage to the device. If you experience a solvent spill that damages the machine, document the problem with photos and clean the unit as well as possible. Contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller as soon as possible.