3D Printer Noise Level – Will it Disturb You?

The 3D printer is with many mechanical parts operated by electricity, and it makes much noise when it is operated. It can be bear to the ears, and due to some problems, it can be increased unexpectedly. So you should know what is the suitable noise level for the 3D printer and recognize the problems by hearing the noize. So let’s see how much noise level should have to the 3D printer?

3D printer noise level is around 40-50 dB. That is less than the safe maximum sound level of 85 dB that can hear in the human ear. Stepper motors, fans, sliders, bearings produce noise when those are moving. Abnormal noise increase is a result of the problem in 3D printers.

If we need to reduce the 3D printing noise level, we should reduce all electrical and mechanical sound levels. So let’s see how much effect 3D printers will affect on your hearing level. So keep reading on.

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Maximum Sound Level for the ear

When we consider the sound level of any device, we should know how much sound can we bear to our ear without damaging that. But that much of sound is always a disturb. Without disturbing us, we can hear a limited sound.

Sound level is measured few meters away from the source point, and when the distance is less, the noise level is also high. Noise level is measured by the dB (decibels), and you can measure it with any android or iOS app with few touches.

Normally a man can hear a safe maximum sound level is 85 decibels. If the noise level is increased more than this, it will cause hearing loss. Due to this, you should know what the produced sound level for the user equipment is. If the level is high, you have to use ear protectors.

According to this, you can realize how much noise level is produced by each task. 3D printers also produce noise due to mechanical and electrical components. So let’s see how to produce them?

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How 3D Printer Produce Noise?

The 3D printer is consists of electric motors, bearings, arms, sliders, electric motors, fans, etc. All these produce operational noise. Most 3D printers are used domestically. There are dozens of manufactures that produce 3D printers with different technologies. Those are with different types of equipment and with different noise levels.

When the motor is spinning there are both electrical and mechanical sound is generated. These sounds are generated due to the electric field and mechanical effects. When a fan is rotated, there are both mechanical noise and wind speed. Bearing moving produces noise due to friction. Sliding units also provide noise due to friction. Final noise is the combination of all noises.

The main purpose of small-size 3D printers are domestic usage. When the machine is used in the domestic, there should not be much loud. So it has been designed under 50-65 dB maximum noise levels. So that’s lower than the maximum level and really comfortable to the ears.

There are dozens of 3D printers in the market. Those are designed for different filaments and different purposes. So before you buy it, you should know how much that is really noisy.

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Which Parts Produce Noise in 3D Printing?

• Stepper Motors
• Fans
• Bearings
• Linear Rods
• Gears
• Belts
• Pulleys

These parts produce the noise of the 3D printer when it moves. Stepper motor produces a noise when operating. Fans produce a 40-30 dB noise level that is quiet for the ears. Small bearings produce noise due to friction. Others all produce the noise due to the friction mostly.

Moving parts will produce more noise in the FDM printers, and cooling fans produce more noise in the resin printers.

How to Reduce the 3D Printer Sound Level?

If the 3D printer noise is really disturbing you, how can you reduce it? There are many ways and methods to used it for you. So test each one and do that.

Build a Cover

this is a common way. Most 3D printers provide a cover. It can make secure for the filament fumes and noise protection. Sometimes it acts like a temperature holder. It will hold the temperature in a certain amount. So A cover acts in many ways.

Keep Away

This is a pretty common way. If there is more noise, you had better keep it away. Normally do not keep the 3D printer in the room. It will produce more noise, more fumes. So keep the 3D printer away as it hears less noise.

Use Dampers

In order to reduce the vibration, we can use dampers. It will reduce the vibration. There are steel plates combined with the rubber layer. When you conned two types of equipment using this, vibration will be reduced due to the dampers. Rubber media will absorb all the vibration in it will not transfer to the structure directly, So it will be safe for the stepper motor vibrations.

Use Ventilation System

heating is the main problem in 3D printing. Due to heating, there are so many problems. So if you are able to create a sealed ventilation system, you can reduce the noise by half. Most noise has risen from the fan. If you can increase the size of the fan by providing the same amount of air with less RPM, it will spin slowly. So better think about the ventilation system for the 3D printer. It will reduce noise and harmful fumes.