Yes, you can make your own filament for 3D printing at home using a filament extruder and plastic pellets. This can save you money, reduce waste, and give you more control over the quality and properties of your filament. However, making your own filament also requires some skills, equipment, and time. In this article, we will explain how to make your own filament, what are the benefits and challenges, and what are the best practices and tips.
What Is Filament and How Is It Made?
Filament is the material that 3D printers use to create objects layer by layer. Filament is typically made from thermoplastic materials that can be melted and solidified repeatedly. The most common types of filament are ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and PLA (polylactic acid), but there are many other varieties with different characteristics and applications.
Filament is usually sold in spools of different diameters, colors, and lengths. The standard diameters are 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm, and the standard lengths are 1 kg or 0.5 kg. The price of filament varies depending on the type, quality, and brand, but it can range from $15 to $40 per kg.
Filament is produced by melting plastic pellets and extruding them through a nozzle into a thin strand. The strand is then cooled and wound around a spool. The process requires precise control of the temperature, speed, and diameter of the extrusion to ensure consistent and high-quality filament.
How to Make Your Own Filament at Home?
To make your own filament at home, you need to have a filament extruder, plastic pellets, and a spool. A filament extruder is a machine that melts and shapes plastic pellets into filament. You can buy a filament extruder online or build your own using DIY instructions and kits. Some examples of filament extruders are the Filastruder, the Lyman Extruder, and the 3DEVO.
Plastic pellets are the raw material for making filament. You can buy plastic pellets online or from local suppliers. You can also recycle plastic waste, such as failed prints, bottles, or bags, into pellets using a shredder or a grinder. However, you need to make sure that the plastic is clean, dry, and of the same type and color. You also need to add some additives, such as color masterbatches or stabilizers, to improve the quality and appearance of your filament.
A spool is a device that holds and winds the filament. You can use an empty spool from a commercial filament or make your own spool from cardboard, wood, or metal. You also need a mechanism to pull and guide the filament onto the spool, such as gears, rollers, or belts.
The basic steps for making your own filament are:
- Set up your filament extruder, spool, and pulling mechanism according to the manufacturer’s or the builder’s instructions.
- Choose the type and color of plastic pellets you want to use and load them into the hopper of the extruder. Do not overfill the hopper or mix different types or colors of pellets.
- Set the temperature, speed, and diameter of the extruder according to the type of plastic and the desired filament size. You may need to experiment with different settings to find the optimal ones for your extruder and plastic. You can use a digital caliper to measure the diameter of the filament and adjust the settings accordingly.
- Turn on the extruder and wait for it to heat up and melt the plastic. The plastic will start to flow out of the nozzle as a thin strand. Gently guide the strand onto the spool and let the pulling mechanism wind it. Avoid touching the strand as it may affect its shape and quality.
- Monitor the extrusion process and check the quality and consistency of the filament. Look for any signs of bubbles, clogs, breaks, or irregularities in the filament. If you notice any problems, stop the extruder and fix them before resuming the extrusion.
- When you have made enough filament for your project or filled the spool, turn off the extruder and cut the filament. Label the spool with the type, color, and diameter of the filament. Store the spool in a dry and cool place away from sunlight and dust.
What Are the Benefits and Challenges of Making Your Own Filament?
Making your own filament has several benefits, such as:
- Saving money: You can make your own filament for a fraction of the cost of buying commercial filament. Plastic pellets are much cheaper than filament, and you can also reuse your plastic waste. Depending on the type and quality of the plastic, you can make your own filament for as low as $1 per kg.
- Reducing waste: You can recycle your failed prints, plastic bottles, bags, or other items into new filament. This reduces the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or oceans and helps the environment.
- Customizing your filament: You can create your own filament with the color, size, and properties that you want. You can mix different types of plastic, add color masterbatches, or use additives to modify the characteristics of your filament. You can also experiment with different materials, such as wood, metal, or carbon fiber, to create unique and functional filaments.
- Improving your skills: You can learn more about the science and engineering of 3D printing by making your own filament. You can understand how different types of plastic behave and how to control the extrusion process. You can also improve your problem-solving and troubleshooting skills by dealing with the challenges of making your own filament.
However, making your own filament also has some challenges, such as:
- Requiring equipment and space: You need to have a filament extruder, a spool, a pulling mechanism, and a shredder or a grinder. These devices can be expensive, bulky, and noisy. You also need to have a dedicated space to set up and operate your filament making system.
- Taking time and effort: Making your own filament is not a quick and easy process. It takes time to prepare the plastic, set up the extruder, adjust the settings, monitor the extrusion, and test the quality of the filament. It also takes effort to maintain and clean the equipment and to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
- Having quality and consistency issues: Making your own filament may result in lower quality and consistency than commercial filament. You may encounter problems such as bubbles, clogs, breaks, or irregularities in the filament. These problems can affect the performance and appearance of your 3D prints. You may also have difficulty replicating the same filament if you change the type or source of the plastic or the settings of the extruder.
What Are the Best Practices and Tips for Making Your Own Filament?
To make your own filament successfully, you should follow some best practices and tips, such as:
- Do your research: Before you start making your own filament, you should do some research on the type of plastic, the extruder, and the settings that you want to use. You should also read the instructions and manuals of the equipment and the safety precautions. You can also watch some videos or read some articles from other people who have made their own filament and learn from their experiences and mistakes.
- Start simple: If you are new to making your own filament, you should start with a simple and common type of plastic, such as PLA or ABS. These plastics are easy to work with and have a wide range of applications. You should also start with a single color and a standard diameter, such as 1.75 mm or 2.85 mm. You can then experiment with different types, colors, and sizes of filament once you master the basics.
- Test your filament: You should test your filament before using it for 3D printing. You should measure the diameter of the filament and make sure it is consistent and within the tolerance of your 3D printer. You should also check the quality and appearance of the filament and look for any defects or impurities. You can also print a test object with your filament and see how it performs and looks.
- Keep records: You should keep records of the type, source, and batch of the plastic pellets that you use, the settings of the extruder, and the quality and characteristics of the filament that you make. This will help you to replicate the same filament in the future or to troubleshoot any problems that may occur. You can use a notebook, a spreadsheet, or a database to store your records.
- Have fun: Making your own filament can be a fun and rewarding hobby. You can unleash your creativity and customize your filament to suit your needs and preferences. You can also share your filament with other 3D printing enthusiasts and contribute to the community.
Conclusion
Making your own filament is a great way to save money, reduce waste, and customize your 3D printing experience. However, it also requires some skills, equipment, and time. By following the steps, benefits, challenges, and tips in this article, you can make your own filament successfully and enjoy the results. Happy filament making!