Beware your 3D printer (They can cause fires) (Page 7 of 8)

Nothing like seeing it with your own eyes.

25 watt = blue wires
40 watt = red wires

There are two modes of failure for E3d styles: Overheated nozzle from FW/FET problems, and overheated fins from failed cooling fan. At first I thought two separate thermal fuses in series (one on heater block, and one on fins) could be used, but apparently the fuses aren't easily available above 240C. 

Measuring temps of the fins, which are much cooler than the heater block, the bottom fin (see pic) is about 140 C, and the next-to-bottom fin is about 120 C. So instead of two fuses, how about one fuse (maybe 160 C) clipped to one of the fins? This would seem to work in both failure modes: an overheating heater block will transfer the extra heat upwards through the metal, and a failed fan will just let the fin get hotter anyway.

And by clipping to the fin, you can remove the nozzle or heater block without having to remove the fuse. If removal of the fins is needed, you just un-clip the fuse from the fin.

Ok I guess they should be less. My measuring is not so good. If so, that's better because the fuse should see a faster increase in temp at failure.

Hi all,

As I`m the OP to this discussion and started it all, I thought I`d pop back in and see what has been happening.  I`m very happy to see that the concern and issue has been taken seriously by the community, if not by Solidoodle.

We`re back in our home now, although construction is still underway.  The contents of the house were almost a total loss(99%), and the house was completely gutted inside to rebuild.  The investigation did confirm that the cause of the fire was the 3D printer (which I saw with my own eyes anyway).  In working with the restoration company, they told us that this was the 3rd 3D printer fire they have been involved with, so this is certainly not a unique or one-time event.

The one thing I want to reiterate to everyone is how quickly this happened.  Yes, I did have the printer run unattended many times prior to the fire, and if this had happened during one of those times it could very well have killed everyone in the house.  When the fire occurred though, the printer was unattended for all of 10min, and my son was sitting on the other side of a closed door 20`away.  Ten minutes.. that`s the time it takes to go and make a cup of coffee, or even a bio break.  The only time it is safe is when you are literally WITH it.

Please print safely.

Shawn

Somebody put together a fuse/clip add on that concects to the bottom fin (and does not get in the way of removing the block), and sell it as an accessory.

For me, it is a resounding NO, it is not worth everything we own - or even a small part of it - not to mention the dog & cat - to leave the printers running unattended. The longest I am ever away from them is for a bathroom break across the hall. And I do have fire extinguishers in the room and handy.

We live in a 100+ yr old farmhouse in the middle of no-where. a fire here would be utterly & completely disastrous. Would probably be at least 10-15 mins before the first firetruck would arrive here - possibly longer. If I, or the other half, cant be here to babysit a print, it doesn't get printed. Period. End of discussion.

The only way I would leave a machine of this type alone is if it were in a stand alone concrete building, or maybe a fire proof enclosure, either one outfitted with automatic fire suppression capabilities. Even then, I would be uncomfortable leaving things unattended.

a person on a 3d printing FB group I belong to had the controller board of his DaVinci start on fire - naturally, it started when he went to the rest room - across the hall... **worries even more about that now**
Luckily he was able to catch it quickly enough that he was able to avoid any major damage, but it is still a scary thing to have happen.

Thank you for the update.

This thread was a real eye opener for me.   I wouldn't have thought my trusty little assistant could have such a terrible potential danger lurking inside.

I can't risk it.   I have pets.   They are my children.   Is there a metal cabinet that's not too expensive anyone knows of I could put it in to help contain it if a fire broke out?

You could also get a Flame Defender to mount over the printer.  It's a fire extinguisher with a fire sprinkler head attached.  If the temp goes over 150F the seal breaks and it dumps powder all over the fire.

another temp limit device is used in Gas furnaces near burners where combustion air is supplied for burners. they call them 'manual reset roll out switches' and they wire in series to the thermocouple or low voltage power to gas valve and come in several temps and mounting styles mostly 120f with 2 spade connectors and a tiny push to reset button on back. you could use several in series with one placed on top of each potential for over heating with max operating temp as limit. this way if any of them trip it shuts done power/relay and which ever one tripped you will see when resetting even if not visible too. some thermal fuses just use over Wattage/Amp draw like circuit breakers and not so good on temps. thus may not catch a fire b4 its too late, also smoke detectors can be fooled by other fumes normally put off by the printer.

but Ward is correct. there is no electro/mechanical device that can replace having an alert person at the printer at all times watching for problems and able to shut down and extinguish such issues. better to waste a print or printer part than life, home or property.