UAL Creative Computing Institute
I. Challenge
UAL was using Ultimaker S8 Pro 3D printers in their labs but faced two major issues:
- Health & Safety Compliance: The original Ultimaker filters no longer met UK university Health & Safety regulations for air quality.
- Supply Issues: Sourcing official Ultimaker filters had become difficult, with inconsistent availability through UK suppliers.
They needed a reliable, officially HEPA-rated filter to maintain safe lab conditions and ensure uninterrupted 3D printing activities.
II. Solution
UAL adopted the UM55 filter from Alveo3D for their Ultimaker S8 Pro Bundles. The filter was chosen for:
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Official HEPA rating, fully compliant with UK H&S regulations.
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Reliability and consistent availability.
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Ease of installation and compatibility with existing Ultimaker printers.
Implementation
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Installed across UAL’s 3D printing labs.
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Students quickly resumed printing, completing more than a dozen prints without any issues.
III. Results
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Improved Air Quality: Staff and students noticed the lab air felt significantly less “sticky.”
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Compliance Achieved: The labs now meet current UK H&S regulations.
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Operational Continuity: Students continued printing without disruption.
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Positive Feedback: UAL considers the UM55 filter a “lifesaver” and is exploring recommendations to other campuses.
” From a practical perspective, we can already feel an improvement in air quality in the lab – the air feels noticeably less “sticky” compared to before. I will continue to monitor performance during regular use. Sourcing official Ultimaker filters has been difficult since half a year ago, as they are not consistently available through many online suppliers in the UK market and do not fully meet our current H&S expectations. In this context, Alveo3D is a very promising alternative for us. If performance remains stable over time, I would be happy to recommend your solution to other campuses as well “.
– Yuwei Chen, specialist in Digital Fabrication at University of the Arts London
IV. Alveo3D’s opinion
3D printing is becoming increasingly common in universities, colleges, and training programs. However, there is currently no standardized approach to educational health and safety in many EU countries.
Manufacturers often overlook safety solutions, considering emissions from 3D printers to be insignificant. They may install HEPA filters that are not standardized or tested, providing only a superficial sense of security for users.
The integration of Alveo3D solutions has addressed the challenges posed by hazardous emissions and printer noise, while ensuring compliance with safety standards.