Difference between revisions of "Plastic recycling"

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[[Category:Proposed_Projects]]
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[[Category:Closed_Projects]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
Build an extruder to recycle and create new filament cheaply for Fixme's [[Ultimaker]] and other people's printers. An extruder is constructed from essentially two parts: a feeding mechanism, and a heater - chopped plastic is fed from a container into the feeding mechanism, which then pushes the plastic slowly through the heater to create the filament.
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Build a plastic recycling machine to make 3D printable filament for the [[Ultimaker]] and other people's printers.
 +
 
 +
First (optional) step of the process is to melt plastic parts (such as bottle caps, failed prints, packages) into plastic pellets. This can be done by putting parts inside a heating recipient having a hole at the bottom. An irregular thread of material will come out and be sliced into small pellets.
 +
 
 +
Next step is to transform pellets or plastic parts (if they are small enough) into 3D-printable filament. This is performed by the extruder. An extruder is constructed from essentially two parts: a feeding mechanism, and a heater - chopped plastic parts or pellets are fed from a container into the feeding mechanism, which then pushes the plastic slowly through the heater to create the filament.
  
  
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== Goal ==
 
== Goal ==
 
* Recycle failed/old prints and extruded plastic
 
* Recycle failed/old prints and extruded plastic
 
 
* Recycle other plastics, such as PET bottles (caps), etc
 
* Recycle other plastics, such as PET bottles (caps), etc
 
* Experiment with new colors and materials
 
* Experiment with new colors and materials
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== Obstacles ==
 
== Obstacles ==
 
* Get a filament of repeatable thickness
 
* Get a filament of repeatable thickness
 
 
* More complex = more difficult
 
* More complex = more difficult
 
 
* Ventilation preferable for ABS
 
* Ventilation preferable for ABS
  
== Parts needed ==
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== Parts ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Part Name
 
! Part Name
 
! Description
 
! Description
! State
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! Progress
 +
! 3d model/images
 
|-
 
|-
| Tube
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| Main frame
| Part where the material will flow trough. Which material should we use ? (Aluminium/ (Stainless) steel) ?
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| Main part holding all the parts together.
Also we will have to be able to dig holes to put the temp sensors inside.
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| Done
| Needed (20mm internal diameter)
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| TODO
 
|-
 
|-
| Auger
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| Coupler
| Screw pushing the material
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| Holds the motor rotor and the screw together
| Just bought [http://www.ebay.com/itm/20mm-Long-Combination-Wood-Auger-Drill-Bit-Carpenter/310775630556 one of those] on Ebay
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| '''Needs update''' with new motor rotor diameter (8mm)
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| TODO
 
|-
 
|-
| Motor
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| Motor holder
| Makes stuff move
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| Holds the motor (duh.)
| Needed
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| '''Needs update''' with 3 holes mounting instead of 4. Thickness needs to be checked for usage with new motor
 +
| TODO
 
|-
 
|-
| Heating element
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| Screw holder
| Nichrome wire ? Ceramic heaters ? Quite cheap on ebay.
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| Aligns the screw with the tube.
This will be controlled by a thermostat (when the tx is above a defined point we shut it down).
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| May need more grease to reduce friction
 
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| TODO
Find a way to attach this (high-temp resistant tape ?) and isolate from the outside.
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| Bought 10ft of G28 nichrome wire.
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|-
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| Thermometers
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| Get the internal temperature in different places of the tube (rear, middle and nose for example).
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| Needed
+
|-
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| Extrusion nozzle
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| Transforms the heated plastic into a regular filament suitable for the printer.
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| Needed
+
|-
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| Cooling system
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| "From liquid to solid in a trice !". Air/water/oil ?
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| Needed
+
 
|-
 
|-
 +
| Tube
 +
| Brings the plastic pellets/parts into a heated nozzle. Makes plastic filament (theoretically). Also the nozzle is exchangable with other nozzle models to allow various diameters of filament to be made
 +
|
 +
| TODO
 
|}
 
|}
  
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* [http://reprapdelft.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/reprap-granule-extruder-tudelft1.pdf Filament recycling detailed research paper (noskill)]
 
* [http://reprapdelft.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/reprap-granule-extruder-tudelft1.pdf Filament recycling detailed research paper (noskill)]
 
* [http://usinette.org/projets/broyeuse-extrudeuse-domestique/ Broyeuse extrudeuse domestique (noskill)]
 
* [http://usinette.org/projets/broyeuse-extrudeuse-domestique/ Broyeuse extrudeuse domestique (noskill)]
== Schedule ==
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* [http://hackaday.com/2014/02/06/plastic-recycling-at-home-promises-a-revolution-in-local-plastic-production/ Plastic recycling machines built at low cost]
Why do we even have this section?
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 +
== Progression ==
 +
* 2013/11/22 - Starting experiments :).
 +
* 2013/11/27 - Measure the temperature we can have with the current setup. Are there other ways to use the nichrome wire (on the extrusion head/on the tube/both) ? Also start experiments for the part that will transform HDPE into pellets (shattering vs melting i.e.). What's the best way to have both parts (recycling and filament making) in the same machine ? Also: plans, plans, plans - use a paper shredder to break used and new plastic into small bits.
 +
* 2014/01/17 - Added a metal top on the end with a 3mm brass extrusion nozzle soldered to it. Next step is adding motorization and automation (i.e. temperature regulation)
 +
* 2014/01/30 - A more polished version of the metal parts will be made by [[User:noskill]]'s school polymecanics. The heated part and the nozzle will be removable.
 +
* 2014/03/10 - Received the stepper motor and the arduino motor shield. Now the mechanics will make a first prototype of the machine in a few days. Also tested the temperature sensor under "real" conditions (~200°c) and worked perfectly.
 +
* 2014/04/01 - The prototype is done ! And it's not even an April fools joke !
 +
* 2014/06/11 - The motor used is not powerful enough in the current setup. Next step is to try adding a screw trough the rotor to get more torque and eventually to buy a new motor (DC, stepper ?).
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
* [[Ultimaker]]
  
 
== Participants ==
 
== Participants ==
 
* [[User:noskill|noskill]]
 
* [[User:noskill|noskill]]
 
* [[User:sasha|sasha]]
 
* [[User:sasha|sasha]]
 +
* Claudia Gessler-  (contact@gessler-perspectives.ch) is starting a similar project with folks in Fribourg (met by [[User:oenvoyage|oenvoyage]] during a 3D Thursday)

Latest revision as of 15:00, 14 November 2019

Description

Build a plastic recycling machine to make 3D printable filament for the Ultimaker and other people's printers.

First (optional) step of the process is to melt plastic parts (such as bottle caps, failed prints, packages) into plastic pellets. This can be done by putting parts inside a heating recipient having a hole at the bottom. An irregular thread of material will come out and be sliced into small pellets.

Next step is to transform pellets or plastic parts (if they are small enough) into 3D-printable filament. This is performed by the extruder. An extruder is constructed from essentially two parts: a feeding mechanism, and a heater - chopped plastic parts or pellets are fed from a container into the feeding mechanism, which then pushes the plastic slowly through the heater to create the filament.


Goal

  • Recycle failed/old prints and extruded plastic
  • Recycle other plastics, such as PET bottles (caps), etc
  • Experiment with new colors and materials

Obstacles

  • Get a filament of repeatable thickness
  • More complex = more difficult
  • Ventilation preferable for ABS

Parts

Part Name Description Progress 3d model/images
Main frame Main part holding all the parts together. Done TODO
Coupler Holds the motor rotor and the screw together Needs update with new motor rotor diameter (8mm) TODO
Motor holder Holds the motor (duh.) Needs update with 3 holes mounting instead of 4. Thickness needs to be checked for usage with new motor TODO
Screw holder Aligns the screw with the tube. May need more grease to reduce friction TODO
Tube Brings the plastic pellets/parts into a heated nozzle. Makes plastic filament (theoretically). Also the nozzle is exchangable with other nozzle models to allow various diameters of filament to be made TODO

Resources

Extruders

I'm guessing we should build something in between - not too simple but not too expensive either.

Misc

Progression

  • 2013/11/22 - Starting experiments :).
  • 2013/11/27 - Measure the temperature we can have with the current setup. Are there other ways to use the nichrome wire (on the extrusion head/on the tube/both) ? Also start experiments for the part that will transform HDPE into pellets (shattering vs melting i.e.). What's the best way to have both parts (recycling and filament making) in the same machine ? Also: plans, plans, plans - use a paper shredder to break used and new plastic into small bits.
  • 2014/01/17 - Added a metal top on the end with a 3mm brass extrusion nozzle soldered to it. Next step is adding motorization and automation (i.e. temperature regulation)
  • 2014/01/30 - A more polished version of the metal parts will be made by User:noskill's school polymecanics. The heated part and the nozzle will be removable.
  • 2014/03/10 - Received the stepper motor and the arduino motor shield. Now the mechanics will make a first prototype of the machine in a few days. Also tested the temperature sensor under "real" conditions (~200°c) and worked perfectly.
  • 2014/04/01 - The prototype is done ! And it's not even an April fools joke !
  • 2014/06/11 - The motor used is not powerful enough in the current setup. Next step is to try adding a screw trough the rotor to get more torque and eventually to buy a new motor (DC, stepper ?).

See also

Participants

  • noskill
  • sasha
  • Claudia Gessler- (contact@gessler-perspectives.ch) is starting a similar project with folks in Fribourg (met by oenvoyage during a 3D Thursday)