Existing Recyclebot.jpg

Team[edit | edit source]

Project[edit | edit source]

This page is dedicated to the design and development of an improved raw material feed mechanism for the Recyclebot_V4.0ac. The recyclebot v4.0 is a vertical plastic extruder which includes a driving system, feeding system, heating system, collecting system and a nozzle. The previous feeding system just consisted of a feeder and a hopper, and the entrance to the feeding tube is small, so that the flake plastics cannot get through the entrance by themselves. In order to get the consistent feeding rate, manual impetus is needed when producing filament.

The intent of this project is to decrease the need for manual operator adjustment / feeding during the filament making processes. This process improvement will be performed by the members listed above in the MY4777 2016 Class.

Access to the main MOST Recylcebot is located here.

Prototype[edit | edit source]

Modified Recycle Bot

Concept

  • An auger is placed inside the material feed hopper. The auger is driven by the Recyclebot's main drive motor via a T5 belt drive system. T5 pulleys are attached to the motor shaft and a T5 belt connects that system to the auger. A single rotation of the main drive motor yields one rotation of the hopper auger, thus forcing raw polymer materials into the main hot zone.

Bill Of Materials

  • List of Components
    • 1x Material Hopper / Cone
      • 1x Flange Set Point (Screw Holder 25mm)
      • 1x Auger Rod Flange (Screw Holder 20mm)
    • 1x Auger Shaft Set Bearing
    • 1x Auger Shaft Material Deflector
    • 1x Auger
    • 1x 10mm Diameter Auger Rod
    • 1x 25mm (Auger Shaft) T5 Belt Pulleys
    • 1x 15mm (Drive Shaft) T5 Belt Pulley (.scad in NIH link is parametric, any practical diameter is achievable. Thus, any gearing ratio can be obtained.)
    • 1x T5 Belt (~2ft)
  • Cost of Components

Installation and Use

  • Utilizing the screw adapter (previously designed) this modification should be a pick and place type replacement. No excessive Recyclebot modifications are necessary. Further assembly and printed components are shown below:
  • Component Assembly
    • Most part files are designed to be "pressure fit" coupled with some form of adhesive. Depending upon the components application threaded inserts are utilized for precise positioning and allowing for little use of adhesive materials. The assembly process is relatively straight forward, review of the printed components gallery below should be adequate.
    • Modification of the ~2ft strand of T5 belt is required. Upon determining the proper tension and length along the pulley path length vice grips and super-glue can be utilized to adhere the two ends of the belt together.
T5 Belt "Welding"

Video of System in Action

  • Link Recyclebot Modification in Action

Printable Parts[edit | edit source]

Link to the NIH File Repository: NIH File Repository

FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Page data
Authors John J. Laureto, Kathrine Cipriano, Shan Zhong
License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Language English (en)
Related 0 subpages, 4 pages link here
Aliases RecycleBot Modification
Impact 52 page views (more)
Created October 31, 2016 by Kathrine Cipriano
Last modified February 6, 2023 by Felipe Schenone
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