Plastic Waste 3D Printer Filament Machine

Project 2018-08-07 12:04:44 +1200

3D printing is one of the worlds fastest growing design technologies. We currently use it for rapid prototyping and producing physical models of digitally designed products. It is still growing in its popularity, and although this is great, it is generating a lot of plastic waste.

We have been prototyping a small machine to produce filament for 3D printing... FROM WASTE PLASTIC and now We are ready to make an industrial(ish) production model. We plan to use this machine to supply schools, makerspaces and creative people around New Zealand with a recyclable, low environmental impact, material for 3D printing!

The funding will go towards the manufacture of two key componenets, made in a specialty screw and barrel machine shop over seas. The rest of the machine will be built by us here at Objet D'Fox. Founder Michael Fox has a background in design, machining and Fabrication, which he will put to use in producing all of the other necessary parts of the machine.

This project is just the start of a much bigger journey. With this material, when a 3D printed object fails, which is extremely frustrating! Or when a prototype is no longer needed – it can be sent back to us to be chipped up and re-extruded. This material can then be re used many times. This has two effects, it diverts single use plastic away from landfill, and reduces the waste produced in the 3D printing process.

Objet D’Fox Has recently moved into Haeata Community Campus, working directly within the makerspace. This is where we are planning to begin producing and using the recycled filament material. Working in this space will allow students to become involved in the process. From here we plan to get other schools and maker spaces involved in using the material.

We plan to use multiple types of plastic, including:

PET, Polyethylene Terepthtalate this is what clear coloured bottles and shampoo bottles are generally made from. It is represented by the number 1.

HDPE, High Density Polyethylene, this is what milk bottles and bottle tops are generally made from. It is represented by the number 2.

PP, polypropylene, this is what ice cream containers are generally made from along with several other types of container. It is represented by the number 5.

PS, Polystyrene, this is what most packaging foams and coffee cup lids are made from, it represents one of the largest amounts of plastic waste heading to landfill. Its properties for 3D printing may be favourable due to its low shrinkage and rigidity. This material can also be smoothed very easily allowing for prints to be used as final products. It is represented by the number 6.

Beyond this - We intend to put any extra money towards two related projects. The first project is to develop another small affordable filament extruding machine, one which can be placed on top of a desk or bench and used much like any other household appliance. It will allow those who own one to reuse their printing filament almost infinitely (depending on the type of plastic).

Our second project is to build a large bi-screw extrusion machine with a roller head and dies. This machine will be able to produce continuous lengths of recycled plastic material, with different profiles. This material will be used to produce bespoke furniture and other functional goods, it will also be sold as raw stock to others who wish to produce their own products from it.

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