This is a fully automated version of Recyclebot v.2.2 with many improved features. Some of the features are:

  • Type of plastic can be selected from the keypad interface and the controller automatically updates the extrusion temperature for the plastic.
  • Extrusion temperature can also be feed by the keypad interface for any type of plastic which can be melted and extruded.
  • LCD interface for better process monitoring.
  • No extrusion until the extrusion temperature is achieved - automatically controlled by microcontroller, with (manual option).
  • Low cost power control options using a Triac and MOSFET.



Part List

The major mechanical components were fabricated in a machine shop - and their details can be found at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:12948

The electronic components for the RecycleBot are found below.

Part/ Component Link to supplier or source Price (US$) Quantity Comments
Arduino Mega 2560 R3 https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11061 $58.95 1
Jumper Wires Premium 12" M/F Pack of 100 https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9386? $34.95 1 optional, simple hook-up wires can also be used
N-Channel MOSFET 60V 30A https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10213? $0.95 1
1N4001 Micro 1A Diodes http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2036268 $2.58 2
Ceramic capacitor 0.1uF 50 V http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/RPER71H104K2K1A03B/490-3811-ND/946447?cur=USD $1.32 4
16 x 2 LCD display https://www.sparkfun.com/products/255? $13.95 1
Keypad https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8653? $3.95 1
Wall Adapter Power Supply - 9VDC 650mA https://www.sparkfun.com/products/298? $5.95 1
Screw Terminals 2.54mm Pitch (2-Pin) https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10571? $3.75 5 optional if you will be using breadboard or solder wires directly
Trimpot 10K with Knob https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9806? $1.9 2
Voltage Regulator - 5V https://www.sparkfun.com/products/107? $1.25 1
Thermocouple Type-K Glass Braid Insulated https://www.sparkfun.com/products/251? $13.95 1
Thermocouple Amplifier AD595-AQ https://www.sparkfun.com/products/306? $17.95 1
Resistor Kit - 1/4W (500 total) https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10969? $7.95 1
Break Away Headers - Straight https://www.sparkfun.com/products/116 $1.5 1
Irwin Tools 304300 93/4" x 17" WeldTec Ship Auger http://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Tools-304300-WeldTec-Auger/dp/B002WJTV0W $26.49 1
Koyo Torrington NTA-815 Needle Roller and Cage Thrust Assembly http://www.amazon.com/Koyo-Torrington-Assembly-19000rpm-Rotational/dp/B006KT3084 $7.21 1
Thrust Washer, TRA-815, .030-.032 X 1/2" I.D. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/INA-Thrust-Washer-4XFP9 $3.27 2
3/4"x21' Black Pipe http://www.doitbest.com/Black+pipe-Southland+Pipe-model--doitbest-sku-437018.dib $29.99 1
1/2” sheet metal 1ft x 1ft http://www.metalsdepot.com/products/hrsteel2.phtml?page=plate&LimAcc=$LimAcc $29.55 1
Roller Chain http://www.thebigbearingstore.com/servlet/the-98/%2340-Roller-Chain/Detail $14.52 1
40B12 x 7/8" Finished bore sprocket 12 teeth #40 roller chain http://www.ebay.com/itm/40B12-x-7-8-Finished-bore-sprocket-12-teeth-40-roller-chain-/221109437613?#ht_500wt_1180 $9.75 1
40B24 x 5/8" Finished bore sprocket 24 teeth #40 roller chain http://www.ebay.com/itm/40B24-x-5-8-Finished-bore-sprocket-24-teeth-40-roller-chain-/220952507390? $21.75 1
High Temperature Ring Terminals http://www.oemheaters.com/p-6032-high-temperature-ring-terminals.aspx $0.9 1
Ceramic Insulating Beads http://www.oemheaters.com/p-6035-ceramic-insulating-beads.aspx $69.6 2
Nichrome wire http://jacobs-online.biz/nichrome_wire.htm $7 1 approximately 11 feet required
Alligator Clips https://www.sparkfun.com/products/111 $2 4
Furnace Cement And Fireplace Mortar http://www.amazon.com/Meeco-Furnace-Cement-Fireplace-Mortar/dp/B000VZS0ZQ/ref=sr_1_1? $4.79 1
MOC3041M optoisolator Triac http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/MOC3041M/MOC3041M-ND/281230?cur=USD $1.16 1
Triac BTA40 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/BTA40-800B/497-2405-5-ND/603430?cur=USD $10 1
Resistor 820 Ohm 1W 5% metal oxide http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/ERG-1SJ821/P820W-1BK-ND/35939?cur=USD $0.34 1
Resistor 15 Ohm 1W 5% metal oxide http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/ERG-1SJ150/P15W-1BK-ND/35755?cur=USD $0.34 1
Film capacitor 0.1uF 630VDC radial type http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PHE450MB6100JR06/399-5962-ND/2704616?cur=USD $1.4 1
BJT Transistors - NPN BC547 https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8928 $0.95 1
400-Watt ATX Power Supply http://www.amazon.com/Diablotek-Series-400-Watt-Supply-PSDA400/dp/B0009MIP8I/ref=sr_1_1? $19.99 1 for DC motor power supply
Wiper Motor, 12V http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WEXCO-Wiper-Motor-2JZD2? $148.75 1
LM350T - linear regulator http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/LM350T/LM350TFS-ND/458688?cur=USD $0.93 1
Adafruit Motor/Stepper/Servo Shield for Arduino kit http://www.adafruit.com/products/81 $19.5 1
Heat Sink http://www.digikey.com/scripts/dksearch/dksus.dll?vendor=0&keywords=HS115-ND&cur=USD $0.9 3
SB400 Solderable PC BreadBoard http://www.amazon.com/Solderable-BreadBoard-matches-tie-point-breadboards/dp/B0040Z3012/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_y $9.98 2
Stepper motor - 200 steps/rev, 12V 350mA http://www.adafruit.com/products/324 $14 1
Arduino Uno https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11021 $29.95 1
LED - Red https://www.sparkfun.com/products/533 $0.7 2
Office shredder http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-12-Sheet-Cross-Cut-Credit-Shredder/dp/B005QAQFFS/ref=sr_1_2? $49.99 1
Plywood local hardware as required
Fasteners local hardware as required
Nuts and bolts, screws local hardware as required
Copper wire local hardware as required
discarded ATX power supply can be found at any computer vendor, university etc 1 for housing
Kapton tape http://www.amazon.com/Kapton-Polyimide-Silicone-Adhesive-Amber/dp/B004V3XPLI/ref=pd_sbs_indust_3 $10.66 1
Total $717.21

Fabrication

Power calculations

The first step is to choose the required power for melting and extruding plastic. For Recyclebot v2.2 and Recyclebot v2.3, a maximum power level (Pmax) of 440 W was chosen on the basis of extrusion speed, size of extruder and requirements. This is to be noted that although the Pmax was chosen as 440 W, this power level is barely used; as this level is well enough to reach a temperature of 500 C almost instantaneously, therefore a very highly reliable power control system has to be used so that system remains in the bounded limits. At this maximum power level almost all types of plastic vaporize instantaneously. The system is designed to operate well below a maximum temperature of 350 C which can be feed or chosen from the keypad interface.

Variables and constants

Pmax: Maximum power
n: number of turns on the heating pipe section
d: outer diameter of the heating pipe section
Ω': resistance of nichrome wire per unit length
r: resistance of nichrome wire
L: length of nichrome wire
V: potential difference used for powering heating element (nichrome) = 110 V
I: current flowing through the heating element (nichrome)

P = V . I

=> I = P / V (This is used to select the Triac on the basis of maximum current of Triac IT(RMS))

P = I2 . r

=> r = P / I2

r = Ω' . L

=> L = r / Ω'


The length of nichrome is calculated according to the above mentioned procedure. There are two types of nichrome, bare and insulated. If insulated nichrome is used, it is to be assured that nichrome touch the metal heating section pipe throughout the length, otherwise even slight air gap between the nichrome and metal interface will trigger high temperature and nichrome will start fuming up which may be toxic in nature. Therefore it is better to use bare nichrome wire with insulated ceramic beads as shown in the picture gallery. This allow us to use higher power for extrusion and high temperature operation is also possible. The gauge of nichrome is selected on the basis of required length, current and the power requirements for the heating. For this purpose, 18-26 AWG nichrome can be used. For a low voltage and high current based control, thick nichrome is recommended and for high voltage (AC) and low current based control, thin nichrome is recommended since it has a higher value of Ω'.

For this recyclebot, the 26 AWG of nichrome was used along with ceramic beads to get a maximum temperature of the order of 350 C. Length of nichrome was approximately 10 feet's having 2.67 ohms/ feet of resistance.

Heater section

Heater being one of the most important section need to be designed and fabricated precisely for better results as change in temperature of few degrees can result in different mechanical properties of the extruded plastic. Another important criteria while designing the heating section is to create uniform heating environment so that the temperature remains nearly constant throughout the barrel such that the extruded plastic is uniform in mechanical properties. To achieve this, high temperature ceramic beads were used to insulate the bare nichrome wire so as to achieve electrical isolation from the iron barrel, and an advantage of using this scheme is high quality thermal insulation from the ambient environment and heat transfers efficiently to the iron barrel as the bottom side of the ceramic beads rest on the metal tightly and the top surface is insulated to the air.

Steps to make the heater section

  1. clean the barrel and then make the top surface rough with a file.
  2. again clean the surface and remove any residing metal debris and dust.
  3. cut the required length of nichrome wire and straighten that up and hook the ends to a clamp.
  4. carefully insert the ceramic beads onto the nichrome wire one by one till the whole wire is completely covered up with ceramic beads.
  5. take the furnace cement and cover-up the iron barrel throughout the surface, it need to be made sure that whole surface is completely covered up with furnace cement as any exposed bare metal can posses the risk of short circuit with the bare nichrome and hence elevating the chances of electric shock.
  6. now gently take the nichrome wire and place it over the barrel and slowly cover up the barrel as if making a coil out of nichrome wire.
  7. fix the two free ends of the nichrome tightly to a clamp and apply furnace cement to cover up the whole surface of ceramic beads and it should look like the picture given in gallery. Again it is stressed that the furnace cement must be applied all over to cover the whole surface of ceramic beads so as to adhere strongly to the underlying metal and it should also make an electrical insulation layer such that bare nichrome shouldn't touch the metal anywhere.
  8. allow it to rest for at least 24 hours.
  9. after giving sufficient rest, connect the two free ends with alligator clips to power up the heater.

Safety note use gloves while using furnace cement as its alkaline in nature and can injure you and damage the skin if exposed for a prolonged time, if by chance skin comes in contact with furnace cement, then wash it under running water immediately.

Temperature monitoring and process control

Controlling the temperature and other related process of plastic recycling and extrusion in an efficient manner and simultaneously decreasing the cost is the key challenge for recyclebot development especially for home applications. In order to promote the recyclebot for open sustainability, the whole control system is designed to work on Arduino, which is a very popular open source microcontroller based application development platform. Being easy to use and program with excellent user community support, Arduino is a low cost rapid prototyping platform ideal to implement control system for Recyclebot. Arduino Mega was used to design and implement the system, having enough number of input/ output pins suitable for interfacing LCD, keypad, and other input output pins for recyclebot all together.

The whole process is divided into two parts

  1. Input mode
  2. Control mode

Input mode The process starts with user input of either plastic selection or extrusion temperature. With the option of 10 different types of plastic, user can select the desired type of plastic to recycle and the program automatically loads the optimum temperature range for operation/ extrusion for that particular type of plastic. Alternatively, user can also feed the temperature of extrusion for any type of plastic which can be operated below 350 C. After the extrusion temperature is set, program ask the user to confirm the temperature and once the temperature is set, the program steps into the control mode.

Control mode In the control mode, the microcontroller is taking the temperature as input and adjusting the output power of heater accordingly such that temperature remains within the set bound range which is 15 C above and below the set extrusion temperature. The system is designed in such a way that if by any means the system temperature exceeds the set extrusion temperature, the power of the heater is cut off completely until the system temperature gets within the set bound range. Also, when the temperature is within the set range, the extrusion process starts, i.e. the motor starts feeding the shredded plastic from the hopper to the heater, also the spooler stepper motor starts which wind up the filament and coil over a spool. If the temperature drops 15 C below the extrusion temperature, the program stops the feeder motor as well as the spooler motor to ensure that the quality of filament remains the same, and as soon as the system temperature reach the set range of operation, both the feeder and spooler motor resumes working.

Program code

The code for Recyclebot was written in C on Arduino IDE, using keypad, LCD and stepper motor libraries. In order to replicate the recyclebot code on Arduino Mega, first, all the libraries must be copied into the correct destination of Arduino folder such that Arduino compiler can compiler them along with the program code. On Arduino development platform LCD library is already included, however keypad and stepper motor library need to be registered before compiling the code.

Steps to replicate, compile and upload the program code on Arduino Mega

  1. Download the libraries, unzip and copy every folder exactly into the folder: arduino-1.0\libraries\

(if you are using new version of Arduino, then copy all the libraries to that folder, in any case the folder of Arduino development platform will be having folder 'libraries' and each and every library used must be copied to this folder.

  1. Run the Arduino development platform, go to the 'sketch' tab, then go to the section 'import library...' one should find the Keypad and AFMotor in the list. If they appear, it means we are all set and ready to use the code.
  2. download the code for recyclebot and spooler. Copy the recyclebot code into Arduino IDE or just open the file with Arduino, and then select Arduino Mega from the list of board and upload. The recyclebot code is now ready to be executed. For spooler, copy the code from the file or open the file for spooler code with Arduino, select the Arduino Uno as board and upload, the spooler is all set to work.

Program code link [1]

If you cant find the files or broken link, please send me an email at avora#mtu.edu (replace # with @, anti-spam)

Recyclebot Circuit

Download the circuit diagram and fabricate on two separate PCB in order to get better reliability. One can use breadboard, but breadboard sometimes have reliability issues due to hanging wires, and especially when we are using high power control elements with low power dc control and monitoring components, its better and recommended to make the circuit on general purpose PCB for rapid prototyping. It is recommended to make the temperature sensor and measurement circuit on one PCB and DC motor and heater controller on another PCB. The circuit for temperature sensor is small and works on low voltage of +5 V and needs a good isolation for the AC components and must be fabricated on a separate PCB as shown in the picture gallery. And the circuit for DC motor control and heater controller uses both +5V, +12V and 110V AC, so it must be well isolated from the low voltage DC components like Arduino etc so that the transients, spikes won't affect the working of temperature and process control, hence it must be also fabricated on a separate PCB. Use good quality copper wire for heater power controller such that it can withstand both high power and temperature.


How the circuit works

The recyclebot v.2.3 is fully automated process control system with easy to operate input/ output interface.

The input components constitute

  1. Keypad
  2. Temperature sensor

The output components constitute

  1. LCD
  2. motor controller MOSFET
  3. Triac control
  4. spooler

The first thing that Arduino does, when its powered up is to display a welcome message. After that it steps into a while loop and stays there as long as user doesn't feed a valid choice of either '1' or '2' from the keypad. The choice of '1' from the keypad will make the program to check the condition statement for '1' being equal to select the plastic and similarly the choice of '2' from the keypad will make the program to check the condition statement for '2' being equal to feed the temperature. In any of the above case, the program steps ahead by breaking off the loop and goes to the next loop according to the choice made before. If user entered '1' then it will again go to a while loop and will stay there until the user doesn't make a choice between 0~9 for a plastic selection. After selecting the plastic, programs displays the type of plastic and the set temperature and ask the user to confirm by pressing '#' key which is checked by conditional if else statement. If the condition is found to be true the while loop is broken and it steps into the process control loop and it stays there till the end. Similarly for the choice '2', programs steps into a while loop and stays there till a valid input is feed and in this case it is a temperature less than 350 C. If the user press '*' the previous temperature input is cleared from the variable and a new temperature input is taken as long as it is lower than 350 C. After that the programs steps into the condition check mode and waits for the user till he confirms the temperature by pressing a '#' key. As soon as '#' key is pressed, the loop breaks and the program steps into the process control loop and it stays there till the end until someone press the main reset button on Arduino board. In the process control loop, the program stays in a loop continuously monitoring the temperature which is feed by the AD 595 (thermocouple amplifier) to the ADC input of Arduino. Arduino converts that analog value into the digital equivalent and that is further converted into Celsius scale by suitable multiplication of a factor. After reading the temperature Arduino steps into conditional statement comparison mode and compares various operating conditions explained in the subsequent section and on the basis of that controls the power of the heater. Partial PWM mode is used to control the heater power, however the DC motor is just controlled on/ off by the Arduino and the speed of the motor is controlled by the linear regulator and its value varies by resistance of the potentiometer which is manually controlled. By changing the value of potentiometer, output voltage gets changed and the corresponding power to the DC motor also gets changed. The spooler is a simple variable speed stepper motor driver which is controlled by another Arduino board and is synchronized with Arduino Mega which is hosting the recyclebot process control. Whenever the DC feed motor is on/off the stepper motor also performs the same, with the difference that its being controlled by different Arduino. This step in process control gets repeated infinitely and is programmed to keep the temperature of the barrel within the set range of temperature which is 15 C above and below the set values. Sometimes it may happen that the system temperature will exceed the set temperature, but in that case the program will adjust itself in such a way that the barrel temperature will get down within the range in a short duration depending upon the operating conditions.

How to assemble (electrical components)

After the circuit is complete with fabrication, it need to be housed especially the DC motor controller and AC power control for better safety. A low cost solution that was used in our prototype was discarded computer ATX SMPS power supply. First dismantle the power supply, and remove the power supply PCB from inside. Now drill 4 holes on the heater control PCB if it is not already having for mounting purpose, and also drill 4 on the bottom side of the ATX power supply metal casing by aligning properly with the mounting holes on the PCB. Then mount the PCB on cabinet, connect the exhaust fan of the SMPS power supply with the connector given on the PCB for fan or just hook wires with correct polarity with given +12V power connector, exhaust fan helps to cool the MOSFET and linear voltage regulator and keep the temperature under the operable temperature range. Then drill a hole on the top surface of cabinet to insert and mount potentiometer for speed controller of DC motor. After this step, mount the Triac as shown in picture gallery. Take the input and output wires out from the circular opening in ATX power supply and connect to their respective elements like heater, motor, AC power socket etc. Thermocouple should be placed between the heater barrel flange and extrusion die by covering it completely with kapton tape such that it is completely insulated from the background vapors and electrical noise as shown in figure. After the circuit is done with assembly, it's time to test if everything works as designed and intended. The spooler mechanism is to be placed over the stepper motor to make a spool out of extruded plastic.


How to assemble (Mechanical components)

Mechanical assembly instructions and drawing of parts can be found on the below given link. This is to be noted that in the evolution of various version of Recyclebots, the underlying mechanical parts are the same, whereas electrical parts are continuously upgraded for better performance.

Waste plastic extruder

How to test

Recyclebot is easy to test and use. Once it is assembled completely, connect the power plug to AC power socket and you should get a welcome message on the LCD, the power LED on both the temperature sensor board and Arduino Mega board should lit up indicating power in the circuit. After the welcome message you will be asked to select the plastic for extrusion or feed the extrusion temperature. After selecting the extrusion temperature, you will find the LCD displaying the system temperature and set temperature. The recyclebot should follow the below mentioned logic.

  • If the system temperature is below the set temperature - 15 C, extrusion will not start and heater will be on with full power.
  • If the system temperature is above set temperature - 15 C but below the set temperature, then extrusion will continue and heater will be on with input power reduced to controlled the temperature in the bound range. Spooler also starts with the motor.
  • If the system temperature is above set temperature but below the set temperature + 15 C, then extrusion will continue and heater will be on with input power further reduced and controlled to keep the temperature in the bound range. Spooler continues to coil the filament as long as motor is rotating.
  • If the system temperature is above set temperature + 15 C, then extrusion will continue and heater will be cutoff completely to keep the temperature in the bound range. Spooler continues to coil the filament as long as motor is rotating.

If recyclebot works different than the above mentioned algorithm, then it need to be troubleshoot. In general, it is very unlikely that code will not work according to the above mentioned algorithm as it has been tested sufficiently enough, main source of errors can be faulty temperature sensor, wrong temperature reading, loose connections especially to heater power controller and DC motor controller.


How to use

Steps to use the recyclebot

  1. As soon as the power flows into the circuit, a welcome message is displayed and the controller ask the user to input choice to either select the type of plastic for extrusion or to feed the temperature. If you want to select the plastic, enter 1 or if you want to feed the temperature, then press 2 from the keypad.
  2. If you want to select a plastic, then you have 10 choice of various plastic, just press 0~9 according to the choice of plastic and the recyclebot will automatically load the extrusion temperature. After the choice is made, Arduino will ask to confirm the temperature, at that point press '#' from the keypad and the process will start.
  3. If you want to enter the temperature for extrusion, then enter from the keypad, it need to be ensure that it is below 350 C, otherwise it will not accept and an overflow message will appear and user will be asked again to input the temperature. If at any point one want to clear the input temperature, just press the '*' button and you can again enter the temperature. If the input temperature is below 100 C, also add a '0' before the number. Arduino will only accept the temperature in three digits, i.e. if you want to enter 50 C, then you would have to enter 050. Again, After the temperature is feed, Arduino will ask to confirm the temperature, at that point press '#' from the keypad and the process will start.
  4. Now you have to wait till the filament comes out from the die, as it comes out, take a nose plier and gently pull that in a slow fashion and place it over the spooler. The speed of the spooler can be adjusted by the potentiometer given for that. The thickness of the filament can be adjusted by temperature and the speed of the spooler.
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Demonstration of Recyclebot v2.3 testing without spooler

Troubleshooting

Thermocouple cleaning and care

Accurate measurement of temperature is the most important input control parameter for the whole process. It has been found that due to vaporization of polymers and capillary action during extrusion, the polymer sticks to the thermocouple (on kapton tape) and affects the accurate measurement of temperature. This problem can be easily solved by dismantling and opening the front extrusion die and then taking off the thermocouple. Now thermocouple can be easily cleaned by a razor blade after taking off the small kapton tape placed over the thermocouple. After cleaning that, again place small strip of kapton tape over the thermocouple covering and insulating the whole thermocouple and then place it between the barrel flange and extrusion die as before. This action of thermocouple cleaning and care should be done on a regular basis to ensure same filament quality.

Dismantling the heating section and Auger

Sometimes it is required to dismantle the heater and also the auger needs to be taken out for cleaning. This is not easy especially when there is some polymer left over and has got solidified and chocked the auger in the heating barrel. In this situation it is recommended to use band heaters which are cheaply available and can be very efficiently used to melt and vaporize the left over polymer. Band heaters have a very high temperature density and they can easily vaporize the polymer. Any band heater having diameter more than an inch and heating power above 500 W should be good enough to solve the purpose. Just place and move slowly the band heater along the barrel axis such that it heats up the barrel and feed pipe. Within short time, it will vaporize the polymer. After all the left over polymer is vaporized, allow the barrel to cool down to room temperature and then the system can be dismantled and auger can be taken out easily.

What to do when Auger gets stuck after extrusion?

It is quite likely that after the end of extrusion process (when the Recyclebot is shut down), some polymer chips will be inside the auger and heating section of pipe, which would have been solidified by the time it gets to room temperature. In such a situation when the recyclebot is operated again, it may be possible that Auger doesn't rotate and push the shredded plastic within the hopper towards the heating section, so what to do? In such a situation this can be done according to below mentioned cases:

  • Case 1: If the next extrusion cycle uses same polymer

In this case, the preceding polymer will melt automatically at the set temperature and auger will start rotating on itself as soon as the temperature inside the heating section reaches melting temperature of residing polymer.

  • Case 2: If the next extrusion cycle uses different polymer of higher melting temperature

In this case, the preceding polymer will melt as the temperature inside the heating section reaches melting temperature of residing polymer and the auger will also start rotating on itself, however, the preceding polymer needs to be removed before the current polymer is extruded and coiled over a spool. This can be done by adding a few shredded bits of currently used polymer, this will push the preceding polymer out of the extruder, but it will also have current polymer in it, so a few shredded bits will go in waste to remove previous polymer. After sufficient extrusion of mixed polymers, which can be judged based on looking at filament, it can be cut down and new filament can be used for spooling when filament is relatively free from preceding polymer impurity.

  • Case 3: If the next extrusion cycle uses different polymer of lower melting temperature

In this case, the procedure of case 2 can be repeated, however if preceding polymer doesn't comes out well, the extrusion temperature can be set to a maximum temperature and currently used polymer shredded chips can be added in order to force the preceding polymer to come out or the heating section can be opened and cleaned with a round file. After this, assemble the heating section and operate the recyclebot at highest temperature without any polymer feed, this will melt up and vaporize the preceding polymer.

Some useful references and external links


See also

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