About our Project:
The Recyclebot is a 3D printing filament extruder device capable of converting plastic to 3-D printing filament. The purpose of this project is to help reduce plastic waste by using recycled plastic to create 3D printer filament.
Our Goals:
- The entire device will have design files originated entirely from free and open source software.
Completed
- The device shall have a means of melting and extruding plastic pellets.
Completed
- The device shall have a means of cooling the extruded plastic.
Completed
- The device shall have a means of measuring the extruded plastic to ensure the diameter stays constant.
Completed
- The device shall be capable of guiding the filament and winding it onto a spool.
Completed
- The device shall have an adjustable hopper size and shape.
Completed
- The device shall have embedded features for cable management.
Completed
Value-Added Goals:
- The device can use recycled plastic to make 3d-printer filament.
Not-Completed
- The device can be controlled with a program interface rather than manual hand tuning.
In progress – motors are controlled by Arduino instead of manually
- The device will have heating control integrated with the program interface.
Not-Completed
- The device will be able to create commercial grade filament.
Not-Completed
Steps Taken:
- Modify Arduino code to implement control of DC spool motor
- Experiment with alternative hopper design prototypes
- Implement temperature reading into Arduino code to display on OLED display
- Implement filament diameter reading into Arduino code to display on OLED display
Resources:
| Description: | Link: |
| Research paper about the original Recyclebot | Research Paper |
| OSF repository from original Recyclebot | OSF Repository |