Post by timwilde on Jan 18, 2017 14:01:04 GMT -5
I didnt know where else to put this, so the Lounge seems appropriate
If you guys are like me and tend to only keep a general eye on tech, you may not know that in the past 2-3 years 3D printers have gotten a LOT of new materials they can print with. Two in particular of use to us is PETG and Polycarbonate.
In addition to that, many manufacturers know that 3d printers can be useful in the food industry, so are making stainless steel parts that come into contact with the filament. They cite specifically FDA requirements for producing food safe final prints.
So, those of you with a true DIY mind, what this means is you now *can* print a custom mold.
You will need an all metal hot end, with stainless steel heat break and nozzle (heater block is usually aluminum but doesnt come in contact with filament)
If possible, you may need to print out a new extruder to use nylon, petg, or polycarbonate as it comes in contact with the filament. Extruder gear also needs to be stainless steel, which again, is also made specifically for food contact use.
You will also need to learn cad/3d modeling to design the mold, as well as 3d printing. 3d printing isnt exactly user friendly. But it's a lot better now than it was 10 years ago. By all accounts, it's better now than it was 2 or 3 years ago.
Because there was a lot of miscommunication, misinformation, and downright FUD with using 3d printing as a possibility for custom mold making I went ahead and submitted an inquiry to the FDA via the FCIC (Food and Cosmetic Information Center). The response in its entirety is as follows:
If the molds are paper molds, the paper would have to comply with the Food Contact Substance regulations as stated in the previous answer - this would apply to the printer as well. That is where the regulations on appropriate food contact substances are applicable. The responsibility of the food contact materials is placed upon the manufacturer.
The 3d printer and their products (if either come in contact with food) would have to be made up of components that are in compliance with our regulations.
This link will help in determining whether or not your food contact components are in compliance: www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/PackagingFCS/RegulatoryStatusFoodContactMaterial/ucm120771.htm
You can also compare your components with the list of indirect food additives here www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/PackagingFCS/IndirectAdditives/default.htm
To interpret that, this means that FDM (Fused Deposition Manufacturing) does not inherently have flaws making it bad for food use. I've read in a lot of areas that the fear is that there would be microscopic cavities, too small for water, scrubbers, or detergents to reach, where bacteria can thrive. While this is true of many surfaces; one of the biggest reasons it was deemed unsafe before was PLA was not heat resistant and therefore could not be sterilized.
PETG and Polycarbonate are both FDA approved, food safe plastics. Both are heat resistant and can stand up to high heat (boiling water) without deforming. Therefore, things printed in these materials would be able to be sterilized.
Not entirely sure who all would be interested in this information but figured I would pass it along. I am in the process of receiving my first printer, and will have that in the next few days. I have plans to build a different printer for the mold making that will be entirely out of food safe materials for all items that come into contact with the filament/print.
I would welcome any thoughts, comments, concerns, general discussion on the topic.
If you guys are like me and tend to only keep a general eye on tech, you may not know that in the past 2-3 years 3D printers have gotten a LOT of new materials they can print with. Two in particular of use to us is PETG and Polycarbonate.
In addition to that, many manufacturers know that 3d printers can be useful in the food industry, so are making stainless steel parts that come into contact with the filament. They cite specifically FDA requirements for producing food safe final prints.
So, those of you with a true DIY mind, what this means is you now *can* print a custom mold.
You will need an all metal hot end, with stainless steel heat break and nozzle (heater block is usually aluminum but doesnt come in contact with filament)
If possible, you may need to print out a new extruder to use nylon, petg, or polycarbonate as it comes in contact with the filament. Extruder gear also needs to be stainless steel, which again, is also made specifically for food contact use.
You will also need to learn cad/3d modeling to design the mold, as well as 3d printing. 3d printing isnt exactly user friendly. But it's a lot better now than it was 10 years ago. By all accounts, it's better now than it was 2 or 3 years ago.
Because there was a lot of miscommunication, misinformation, and downright FUD with using 3d printing as a possibility for custom mold making I went ahead and submitted an inquiry to the FDA via the FCIC (Food and Cosmetic Information Center). The response in its entirety is as follows:
If the molds are paper molds, the paper would have to comply with the Food Contact Substance regulations as stated in the previous answer - this would apply to the printer as well. That is where the regulations on appropriate food contact substances are applicable. The responsibility of the food contact materials is placed upon the manufacturer.
The 3d printer and their products (if either come in contact with food) would have to be made up of components that are in compliance with our regulations.
This link will help in determining whether or not your food contact components are in compliance: www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/PackagingFCS/RegulatoryStatusFoodContactMaterial/ucm120771.htm
You can also compare your components with the list of indirect food additives here www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/PackagingFCS/IndirectAdditives/default.htm
To interpret that, this means that FDM (Fused Deposition Manufacturing) does not inherently have flaws making it bad for food use. I've read in a lot of areas that the fear is that there would be microscopic cavities, too small for water, scrubbers, or detergents to reach, where bacteria can thrive. While this is true of many surfaces; one of the biggest reasons it was deemed unsafe before was PLA was not heat resistant and therefore could not be sterilized.
PETG and Polycarbonate are both FDA approved, food safe plastics. Both are heat resistant and can stand up to high heat (boiling water) without deforming. Therefore, things printed in these materials would be able to be sterilized.
Not entirely sure who all would be interested in this information but figured I would pass it along. I am in the process of receiving my first printer, and will have that in the next few days. I have plans to build a different printer for the mold making that will be entirely out of food safe materials for all items that come into contact with the filament/print.
I would welcome any thoughts, comments, concerns, general discussion on the topic.