Certifications:
ATEX 2014/34/EU
IECEx 3rd party
EN 17348
NFPA 484
3D Printing — ... models
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Safe dust management for additive manufacturing and 3D printing — from plastic powder in the laboratory to self-igniting metal powder in classified production zones. Particulair’s range covers the full spectrum with ATEX- and IECEx-certified solutions from Tiger-Vac and Delfin, third-party certified to EN 17348.
3D Printing — ... models
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Additive manufacturing places particular demands on dust management. Whether you print with polymer powders such as nylon and PEEK, metallic powders for laser sintering, or highly reactive materials such as aluminium and titanium, the safe collection and disposal of powder residues is not merely a matter of cleanliness — it is a regulatory requirement and a safety-critical task. Particulair has advised Nordic companies on industrial vacuum technology in technically demanding environments since 1991, and our range for 3D printing covers the full spectrum from simple laboratory cleaning to continuous operation in ATEX-classified production environments.
Printing processes using polymer powders such as nylon PA12, PEEK and TPU leave fine dust residues in and around the build chamber. These particles are combustible and can under certain conditions form explosive dust clouds, particularly when disturbed or inadvertently dispersed in the air. Although many laboratories and development departments are not formally ATEX-classified, applicable safety regulations require that collection equipment is documented as safe for combustible dust. The machines in this category are either fully ATEX-certified by a third party or carry ACD marking per IEC 60335-2-69 with internal Zone 20 protection — and all are equipped with HEPA H14 filtration and ESD-safe accessories.
Metallic powders for powder bed fusion and direct metal laser sintering are combustible, electrically conductive and typically classified as dust group IIIC. They require ATEX-certified machines with a water immersion system, where the vacuumed powder is neutralised directly in a water bath inside the collection tank. This method — known as wet mix inerting — prevents powder from reaching the filters and eliminates the risk of ignition inside the machine. The machines in this category are third-party certified to ATEX 2014/34/EU and EN 17348, and are available in electric versions with TEFC motors or pneumatic versions for continuous duty.
In powder bed fusion printing, large quantities of unused powder remain in the build chamber and powder bed after each job. Powder for metal 3D printing is expensive — recovery is not only sustainable, it is economically critical. The machines in this category are equipped with an integrated high-efficiency cyclone system that separates up to 98 percent of the powder before it reaches the filters, collecting it cleanly in a separate detachable stainless steel tank ready for sieving and reuse. The system is designated PRS — Powder Recovery System. Machines are available in electric versions with TEFC motors and pneumatic versions for continuous duty, and are third-party certified to ATEX and IECEx for conductive dust group IIIC.
A particular category of metal powders — including aluminium, magnesium and titanium in fine particle form — are pyrophoric or self-igniting. These materials can ignite spontaneously on contact with air, moisture or frictional heat, and in some cases react chemically with water. For these powders, water immersion is insufficient as a safety barrier. The machines in this category use oil as the inerting medium: the vacuumed powder is completely surrounded by oil inside the collection tank, eliminating any contact with oxygen and making ignition impossible. This protection method — known as oil inerting — is the internationally recognised solution for pyrophoric metal powders in additive manufacturing. The machines are certified Category 1/2D with Zone 20 internal and Zone 21 external, attested by a notified body to ATEX 2014/34/EU and IECEx.
We help specify the right system for your machine, your powder and your ATEX classification.