posted on 2020-07-10, 13:36authored byMazher MohammedMazher Mohammed, Daniel Wilson, Eli Gomez-Kervin, Callum Vidler, Lucas Rosson, Johannes Long
This study demonstrates the EcoPrinting principal, which makes use of renewable energy to realise a low carbon footprint means of recycling waste plastics into feedstock for Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printing. We present our work to date to encapsulate this principal in a singular device, which comprises a nanogrid solar/battery storage unit, a custom made filament extrusion device and modified FFF 3D printer system. We demonstrate that our system is capable of reforming ABS plastics found in electronic waste and converting these into functional items through a melt extrusion and additive manufacturing process. We successfully demonstrate the efficacy of the system to operate using solar derived energy and using the resulting filament to 3D print functional pipe connector components. We conclude Ecoprinting holds considerable potential as a sustainable means of converting waste plastics into functional components. Finally, the portable and self-sufficient nature of the system, Ecoprinting could feasibly could be applied as a cost effective aid solution for vulnerable communities in low socio-economic environments.
Funding
Deakin University School of Engineering and Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, alongside Plan International.
English Foundation and members of the general public, who provided much needed financial support to the project following crowd funding efforts on the Start Some Good 3DWASH campaign.
History
School
Design
Published in
Solid Freeform Fabrication 2018: Proceedings of the 29th Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium - An Additive Manufacturing Conference, SFF 2018
Pages
80 - 92
Source
2018 29th Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium – An Additive Manufacturing Conference