How do you track energy and emissions from 3D printers?

1 Why track energy and emissions?

3D printing can have both positive and negative effects on the environment. On one hand, it can reduce waste, transportation, and material costs by creating customized and optimized products. On the other hand, it can consume a lot of electricity, generate harmful emissions, and use non-biodegradable plastics. Tracking the energy and emissions of your 3D printing projects can help you measure and improve your environmental performance, as well as compare different 3D printing methods and materials.

2 How to measure energy consumption?

One way to measure the energy consumption of your 3D printer is to use a power meter or a smart plug that can monitor the electricity usage of your device. You can plug your 3D printer into the meter or plug and record the power draw over time. You can also use software tools or online calculators that can estimate the energy consumption based on the 3D printer model, the print settings, and the print duration. You can then multiply the energy consumption by the electricity price in your area to get the cost of your 3D printing project.

3 How to measure emissions?

Another way to measure the environmental impact of your 3D printer is to measure the emissions that it produces. Emissions can include carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ultrafine particles (UFPs), and other pollutants that can affect the air quality and the climate. You can measure the emissions of your 3D printer by using a gas analyzer or a particle counter that can detect the concentration and composition of the emissions in your 3D printing area. You can also use software tools or online calculators that can estimate the emissions based on the 3D printer model, the print settings, and the material type.

4 How to reduce energy and emissions?

There are several ways to reduce the energy and emissions of your 3D printing projects, such as choosing a 3D printer with a high energy efficiency rating and a low emission rate, selecting 3D printing material with a low environmental impact, optimizing your 3D printing settings and design, maintaining your 3D printer and cleaning your nozzle regularly, and ventilating your 3D printing area and using filters or enclosures. You can compare the specifications and reviews of different 3D printer models to find one with optimal environmental performance. You can opt for biodegradable, recycled, or renewable materials to reduce the carbon footprint and toxicity. You can adjust the print speed, temperature, layer height, infill, and support settings to reduce print time and material usage. Additionally, you can design your 3D models to be lightweight, hollow, or modular to save energy and material. Keeping your 3D printer in good condition and cleaning the nozzle after each print can prevent clogging, jamming, and overheating. Ventilating your 3D printing area with fans, windows, or vents can improve air quality and reduce exposure to harmful emissions. Filters or enclosures that can capture or reduce emissions from your 3D printer are also recommended.

5 How to report and communicate your results?

Finally, you can report and communicate your results to your stakeholders, customers, or peers. You can use graphs, charts, tables, or dashboards to visualize and compare the energy and emissions of your 3D printing projects. You can also use metrics, standards, or labels to quantify and certify your environmental performance. For example, you can use the carbon footprint, the life cycle assessment, or the eco-design label to show how much CO2, energy, and resources your 3D printing projects save or emit.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?