You are currently viewing Recycling of filament

Recycling of filament

Plastics and their byproducts are littering our cities, oceans, and waterways, and contributing to health problems in humans and animals. 70 % of the deep sea fish have eaten plastic and 55 % of fish species were even found with microplastics in their body. But as the number of uses rises, so does the demand for plastics. The world already produces over 300 million tons of plastic every year. The number could be six times that by 2050.

As the traditional manufacturing technologies follow the “Cradle to Grave” paradigm, meaning that many of our products are made for one time usage, 3d printing holds the promise for a greener, more sustainable manufacturing technology. One important aspect to accomplish this vision is the recycling of filament. Although the technology exists already, it is only rarely used by companies and makers who are using 3d printing in their manufacturing processes.

Let us have a closer look how the process works and what equipment is needed:

Reuse of 3D Printed Waste

If you want to turn your 3d printed waste into new spools you need a 3d printer filament recycler. You need to consider that not all machines are able to both shred and extrude. Therefore, depending on your needs, you may have to buy two machines.

If you got a recycler that can do both, like the ProtoCycler, it will smash failed prints into smaller pieces, melt them and will lead the liquid plastic through an opening. The hot plastic is then cooled down and coiled onto a reel.

You shouldn’t mix various types of filaments as this could result into undesirable printing results. It is also important that your plastic is clean and separated as plastics with the same chemical composition achieve more qualitative results.

                              

The ProtoCycler is more demanding to use than a typical 3d printer but can save you money and helps to save our environment. With a little practice though, it should be no problem and you can produce your own filament.

Recycled 3d printer filament

If you find recycling your own filament too challenging, you can start with buying recycled filament, like from Filamentive, Tridea and Refil. You can choose between materials like PLA, ABS, ASA, BioPC and some others.

                                                

                                                                         Recycled PLA by Filamentive

There might be misconceptions on your side that the recycled filament is not as good and suitable for mechanical purposes like the traditional filament. But this is not the case, as experts are saying in this video. I have ordered and tested recycled filament by my own: The results were very good, even for a complex object, and the technical data more than convincing. Here you can see the result.

This Post Has 36 Comments

  1. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.

  2. Josh Lamport

    Thanks for some other informative website. The place else may just I get that kind of information written in such an ideal way? I’ve a challenge that I am just now working on, and I’ve been at the look out for such info.

  3. Sdrive

    I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
    Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would
    like to find out where u got this from. kudos

    My web page – Sdrive

    1. Circular3d

      Hi SDrive, Thank you very much. Yes, I have designed it by my own. With the help of Elementor and WordPress. Highly recommended, good luck with your project.:)

    1. Circular3d

      Dear Laurie, Yes, I do. Please feel free to follow me at Twitter @circular3dprint, thank you.

  4. Better products

    Your style is very unique in comparison to other folks I’ve read stuff from.

    Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this web site.

    Here is my web-site; Better products

  5. Have you ever thought about publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs?
    I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I
    know my visitors would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel
    free to send me an e-mail.

    My web site; Marketing network [Organic-Exchange.com]

    1. Circular3d

      Hi Luisa, Yes, I thought about it but did not do it yet. Sure, happy to contribute to your blog with my content.

  6. pre sale tokens

    Hey! I realize this is kind of off-topic but I had to ask.
    Does managing a well-established blog such as yours take a massive
    amount work? I’m brand new to blogging however I do write in my journal every day.
    I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my experience and views online.
    Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for new aspiring blog owners.
    Appreciate it!

    My page pre sale tokens

    1. Circular3d

      Hey there, Not so much work. You just have to be consistent with your writing. Good luck.

  7. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article.

    I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your
    useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.

    My web site :: Website (explorer.Dapscoin.Com)

  8. best vpn for uk

    You could certainly see your skills in the article you write.
    The world hopes for more passionate writers like you
    who are not afraid to mention how they believe.
    At all times follow your heart.

  9. Coinbase news

    It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the future
    and it is time to be happy. I have learn this submit and if I may I desire to recommend you some fascinating things or advice.
    Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read even more issues about it!

    Also visit my website; Coinbase news

  10. Right away I am going away to do my breakfast, later than having my breakfast coming again to read additional news.

  11. Reduslim

    Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this blog.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance”
    between user friendliness and appearance. I must say you have done a awesome job with this.
    Also, the blog loads very quick for me on Firefox. Excellent Blog!

  12. I really like reading an article that can make men and women think.

    Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!

  13. Mars77

    Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe this
    website needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more, thanks
    for the information!

  14. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this excellent blog!
    I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook
    group. Talk soon!

  15. cbd cannabinol

    If some one desires expert view on the topic of blogging
    and site-building then i propose him/her to visit this weblog, Keep up the good work.

  16. fun88

    Hi there to all, the contents existing at this web page are
    actually awesome for people knowledge, well, keep up
    the good work fellows.

  17. thousand

    You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something that
    I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me.
    I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  18. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague
    who was conducting a little research on this. And he actually ordered me lunch due
    to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this….

    Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending
    time to talk about this matter here on your website.

Leave a Reply