Yes, you can turn plastic into filament for 3D printing, as long as you use the right type of plastic and follow the proper steps. This is a great way to recycle plastic waste and save money on filament production. In this article, we will explain how you can turn plastic bottles into 3D printer filament at home, using some simple tools and materials.
Not all plastics are suitable for making 3D printer filament. You need to use plastics that have a high melting point, low shrinkage, and good mechanical properties. The most common types of plastics used for filament production are PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene). These are the plastics that are used to make water bottles, soda bottles, milk jugs, detergent containers, and other household items. You can identify them by looking at the recycling symbol on the bottom of the bottle, which should have a number 1 for PET or 2 for HDPE.
How to Prepare the Plastic Bottles?
Before you can turn the plastic bottles into filament, you need to prepare them for processing. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Collect enough plastic bottles to ensure a sufficient supply of raw material. You can use any color of plastic, but avoid mixing different colors if you want a consistent filament color.
Wash the bottles thoroughly with water and soap, and remove any labels, caps, and rings. This will prevent any dirt, glue, or other contaminants from affecting the quality of the filament.
Cut the bottles into smaller pieces using scissors or a box cutter. This will make them easier to feed into the extruder. You can either cut the bottles into thin strips, or chop them into small granules using a blender or a shredder.
Once you have prepared the plastic pieces, you are ready to turn them into filament. You will need an extrusion machine or a DIY extruder, which is a device that melts and extrudes the plastic into a thin strand. You will also need a cooling system, such as a fan or a water bath, to solidify the filament as it comes out of the extruder. Finally, you will need a spool to wind the filament onto once it has cooled and hardened. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Set up your extrusion machine or DIY extruder according to the manufacturer’s instructions or your own design. Make sure you have a power source, a temperature controller, and a speed controller. You can find many examples of DIY extruders online, such as the Polyformer, the Filastruder, or the [Lyman Filament Extruder].
Feed the plastic pieces into the extruder’s hopper, and turn on the power. The extruder will heat up the plastic and push it through a nozzle, creating a filament with a diameter of 1.75 mm or 2.85 mm, depending on your nozzle size and preference.
Adjust the temperature and speed of the extruder to achieve a consistent and smooth filament. You can use a digital caliper to measure the diameter of the filament and make sure it is within the acceptable range for your 3D printer. You can also use a filament winder or a guide to keep the filament straight and avoid tangling.
Cool the filament as it comes out of the extruder, using a fan or a water bath. This will prevent the filament from stretching, curling, or breaking. You can also use a filament dryer or a desiccant to remove any moisture from the filament, which can affect its printability and durability.
Wind the filament onto a spool, using a spool holder or a DIY spool. Make sure the spool is large enough to accommodate the amount of filament you produce, and avoid winding the filament too tightly or loosely. You can also label the spool with the type and color of the plastic, and the date of production.
What Are the Benefits and Challenges of Turning Plastic into Filament?
Turning plastic into filament has many benefits, such as:
Reducing plastic waste and environmental impact. By recycling plastic bottles into filament, you can divert them from landfills and oceans, and reduce the demand for new plastic production.
Saving money and resources. By making your own filament, you can avoid buying expensive commercial filament, and use the plastic that you already have at home or can collect for free.
Customizing your filament. By making your own filament, you can choose the type, color, and diameter of the plastic, and experiment with different blends and additives to create unique filament properties.
However, turning plastic into filament also has some challenges, such as:
Requiring time and effort. Making your own filament can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, especially if you use a DIY extruder. You need to collect, wash, cut, extrude, cool, and wind the plastic, and monitor the quality and consistency of the filament.
Having variable quality and performance. Making your own filament can result in inconsistent and low-quality filament, depending on the type and condition of the plastic, and the settings and calibration of the extruder. You may encounter issues such as clogging, jamming, breaking, or warping of the filament, which can affect the printability and durability of the filament.
Needing special equipment and skills. Making your own filament requires some special equipment and skills, such as an extruder, a cooling system, a spool, a temperature controller, a speed controller, a caliper, and a filament winder. You also need to have some basic knowledge of plastic types, extrusion parameters, and filament specifications.
Turning plastic into filament is a feasible and rewarding way to recycle plastic waste and create your own 3D printer filament. You can use plastic bottles made from PET or HDPE, and follow the steps of preparing, extruding, cooling, and winding the plastic. However, you also need to be aware of the challenges and limitations of this method, and ensure that you have the necessary equipment and skills to produce high-quality and consistent filament. By turning plastic into filament, you can not only save money and resources, but also contribute to a more sustainable and creative 3D printing community.
