1 Topic by ChriG

  • ChriG
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Topic: Filament extruder survey for school project

Hi Everyone!

As part of a school project where I am investigating how viable a recycling filament extruder is for hobbyists like us, I have set up a small survey so I can get an understanding of how the average person uses their printer and filament.

You don't have to own a filament extruder to take this survey and it should take less than 3 minutes.

I really appreciate your help and look forward to being able to give back to the community in the same way you have helped me!

Here's the link to the survey:

https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/NvnJbl

Thanks!

2 Reply by Tin Falcon

  • Tin Falcon
  • Tin Falcon
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  • Registered: 2014-08-01
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Re: Filament extruder survey for school project

1) i do not do surveys.
2) I do not own a home filament extruder.
a) i do not  have the space for it.
b) I do not feel it it would be economical for me
c)The ones that are affordable are quite slow.
3one must have access to adequate quantity of plastic.
in order to recycle one must sort plastic by type and color
make sure it is clean
grind to size
size it
regrind the oversize pieces.
viable plastic grinders are quite expensive.
home kitchen machines are tedious at best.
then clean degrease the pieces
then dry then one can think about turning back into filament
also it is usually recommended one add some virgin material.


As appealing as recycling sounds in theory in reality it takes considerable time and energy.

so no i will not take your survey . i do hope this info helps .
take some time ands google plastic grinders and home filament extruders and search you tube,

there have been lots of folks to do experiments build there own grinders etc.
That said i know of no one doing it on a regular basis and do not know if anyone has made it economically feasible.

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

3 Reply by ChriG

  • ChriG
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Re: Filament extruder survey for school project

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it!
No worries about not taking the survey I totally understand, you have still given me some great information and some things to think about.
There are definitely some issues around grinding, cleaning and some of the other points you brought up that are the limiting factor in why these extruders aren't common yet, but these are the types of things that I would like to bring up in my report so your advice is perfect for me.
Thanks again

4 Reply by Tin Falcon

  • Tin Falcon
  • Tin Falcon
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Re: Filament extruder survey for school project

This system is cool but a bit pricey IIRC about $5 grand per unit it has a grinder a dryer and several choices for an extruder system


https://3devo.com/make-your-own-filamen … ;hsa_ver=3

Filabot is another company that has been around a while Again a bit pricey for hobby use these are marketed to the DuPont's , industrial and educational market,

https://www.filabot.com/collections/filabot-core

The Chinese wellzoom is a bit more affordable for extruding but as far as i know they offer no options for grinding or drying. 
http://wellzoomextruder.com/

And of course the filasruder and filawinder kits at $299 and $169 respectfully for kits much more affordable.
https://www.filastruder.com/collections … ccessories

Again one still needs some sort of grinder and some sort of dryer. Some folks use food dehydrators for drying and blenders ,paper shredders  or food processors for grinding. The other option is building an industrial type grinder.

Stephan from cnc kitchen has don a couple video's on this subject.
https://youtu.be/ipulB4_Xdm8
https://youtu.be/HsKYVhCVPV0


So yes this can be done the question is it sustainable and economically practical.
So the challenge here is to overcome the obstacles . That will make it feasible.

The problem with alternative energy and recycling it takes time and energy. 
glad to help
Tin Falcon

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura