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SoliForum - 3D Printing Community → Projects → Recycling program for ABS/PLA
80/20 sounds alright. Just make sure you run the numbers so your covering your expenses threw the process. As for the process, burn plastic and other non-recyclable materials are pretty much a wash. Probabily more cost efficient to throw the contaminated part away then pay someone to cut around the fat - Another feasibility test alongside the ratio and quality output.
I purchased a Filastruder kit, so I should be able to start testing / recycling soon. My granulation process for now will be a blender and dry ice until I can find an industrial granulator for cheap at an auction. I have about 7 pounds of failed prints that I can use to test recycling with, courtesy of elmoret. 
Any one have any feedback or suggestions?
I purchased a Filastruder kit, so I should be able to start testing / recycling soon. My granulation process for now will be a blender and dry ice until I can find an industrial granulator for cheap at an auction. I have about 7 pounds of failed prints that I can use to test recycling with, courtesy of elmoret.
Any one have any feedback or suggestions?
Will you post some pictures of the blender/dry ice process?
Yes I will. I plan to also do a video of the whole process working too, when ever I get it all set up.
The Filastruder built! I am doing the purge now.
Still working on logistics. Any more feedback/ suggestions?
PM me if you have any scraps of filament you want me to recycle. I can also granulate the scraps of filament and send them back to you. Filament only at this point. Filament diameters from 1mm to 4mm are acceptable. I will take any kind of filament, ABS, PLA, Nylon, etc. It would also be helpful if you labeled which materials were which, and also include to resin type. for example ABS-MG94. This is not required, but it is HIGHLY recommended.
I am still working on a granulation setup, but optimistically I should be up and running in 3 weeks.
I would like to get in on this. my email is [email protected] if you want to email me. I think it'd be a great thing within the 3d printing community.
Hey guys I'm working a project to start a recycling program for ABS and PLA plastics. Basically what I want to set up is a way for you guys to send your scrap plastic like failed prints and what not to me and I will recycle it back into filament for a very small price to cover electricity costs. What do you think? Let me know if your interested.
Update: I was able to get the granulator running with the help of an electrician buddy, and I was able to successfully granulate a solid infill hopper for a filastruder. The granulate is fine enough to use with the filastruder too. Pictures and video are soon to come.
Although I really enjoy 3d printing, and home filament extrusion, my academic course load has increased, so things will slow down with project until I am less busy. That does not mean I will stop working on this though!
EDIT- Here are some photos:
The granulate vs some MG94 mixed in with recycled filament.
The granulate on its own.
Overall picture of the granulator
The motor for the granulaltor
One of the two blades that anhilate everything
Danger labels, since this thing will take off your arm.
Here is a video of the granulator: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgr4daIjXSI
That's awesome! Looking forward to photos and videos.
A promising future. Well done!
Quick video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIEfX8zaQlA
I rewind and sell those electric motors as a living. Nice Baldor
Update: I was able to get the granulator running with the help of an electrician buddy, and I was able to successfully granulate a solid infill hopper for a filastruder. The granulate is fine enough to use with the filastruder too. Pictures and video are soon to come.
Although I really enjoy 3d printing, and home filament extrusion, my academic course load has increased, so things will slow down with project until I am less busy. That does not mean I will stop working on this though!
EDIT- Here are some photos:
The granulate vs some MG94 mixed in with recycled filament.
The granulate on its own.
Overall picture of the granulator
The motor for the granulaltor
One of the two blades that anhilate everything
Danger labels, since this thing will take off your arm.
Here is a video of the granulator: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgr4daIjXSI
Very resourceful!
...those failed prints look familiar 
I now finally have everything setup. If you want to send me failed prints send me a PM. I will accept the following materials: In any color: ABS, PLA, HIPS, PVA, Nylon, Polycarbonate, Polycarboante/ABS blend, Flexibles, PET/Tglase, Composite filaments like Laywood, and pretty much anything else. Also, if you want to test some ABS regrind on your Filastruder/ Filament extrusion device, send me a PM.
I would also like to thank AZERATE and elmoret for sending me their failed prints. The red/ black ones in the first video are AZERATE's, and the white ones in this video are elmoret's.
If you listen closley enough, you can hear the Filastruder making filament. Making filament out of failed prints, and those failed prints were made using filament made on a Filastruder.....
I am currently working on making a professional video that shows the whole process. Hopefully that will be done by the end of October.
Send me feedback if you have any!
getting there now. saw this next to your video showing what we are trying for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJB3yX_xSBY
combo of chipper/shredder/coffee grinder. a small hand crank model like pencil sharpener could also be done for home use using a rotating tube with small rasp blades around it and a feed plunger similar to sausage grinder. put the rest of the family to work recycling (turning the crank) while you run filastruder and print LOL
another similar device in function although it works with water is a garbage disposal making things able to go down drain. also wood working tools like planers grind bits off semi hard materials. I think we can devise a simple tool to do this well and at low cost both to make and operate. and make it small enough to be an accessory on a Filastruder just like a spool winder so the entire plastic recycler can go in any small shop where 3D printing is done just like wood working or metal working shops in many home out buildings/garages/basements
You should make a new hopper that has two slide plates. The first slide plate would be for loading material into the machine while eliminating access to the blades. Once the material is loaded you would slide the first plate closed, I would make this one clear, and then pull the second plate open to drop the material into the cutting area. This would be a safer design and keep your area cleaner.
You could probably print the hopper with 100% fill for strength, but I'd make it all metal just to be on the safe side.
Just a thought.
You should make a new hopper that has two slide plates. The first slide plate would be for loading material into the machine while eliminating access to the blades. Once the material is loaded you would slide the first plate closed, I would make this one clear, and then pull the second plate open to drop the material into the cutting area. This would be a safer design and keep your area cleaner.
You could probably print the hopper with 100% fill for strength, but I'd make it all metal just to be on the safe side.
Just a thought.
Hmm interesting... I will defiantly think about this. Thanks for the suggestion.
For anyone that is interested, this machine is a Polymachine HMG88, and I am running it off of a static phase converter. I can not find any information on the actual machine, but there is detailed documentation on the Balador motor.
Baldor motor.
After running regrind ABS through the granulator a second time, the granulated becomes even more fine, and uniform. This makes mixing it in with virgin material even easier.
Currently for this project I am working on the following things:
Better hopper/lid.
Testing filament that has 10% regrind all the way to 100% in 10% increments.
Making a full, well edited video on the whole process of recycling.
Setting up a work environment that is as clean as possible, so I do not introduce contaminates into the pellets or filament.
Making filament to send out to Beta testers.
Pretty interesting topic........How about converting an old food processor, into a grinder? of using a large abrasive disc on a grinder and catch the flyings? or, would the particles be too fine?
Possible use Acetone to soften up large pieces so that the can be forced through an orifice to dry out and chopped up?
I did a blog post about recycling ABS panels from old 2Dprinters. You can find it here http://ggalisky.weebly.com/
@richhoo1 I dont think a food processor would create consistent enough sized pieces.
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