Recyclebot V5.0 Prototype.
Recyclebot V5.0 Prototype.
Recyclebot V5.0 Prototype User Interface.
Recyclebot v5.0 Filament Extruder Prototype.
Recyclebot v5.0 Filament Extruder Prototype.
Recyclebot v5.0 Filament Extruder Nozzle Prototype.
Recyclebot v5.0 Filament Cooling Section Prototype.
Recyclebot v5.0 Filament Puller Prototype.
Recyclebot v5.0 Filament Puller Prototype.
Recycle v5.0 Filament Winder Prototype.
Recyclebot v5.0 Filament Winder Prototype.


DESIGN NOT FULLY FUNCTIONAL

Recyclebot V5.0 3d printer filament extruder is under development by Michigan Tech's Open Source Hardware Enterprise. Currently, the extruder operates and can extrude filament on manual mode, and thus we strive to have a fully automatic version released early 2017. Within the automatic version, all electronics will be extremely simplified to a plug and play type incorporating an Arduino Mega with dedicated shield, and all other electronics will plug directly into an electronics box - thus simplifying construction and reducing costs. The user interface will be a clickable rotary encoder, with a 20x4 LCD display. After the remainder of the desired functionality is developed, the design and construction will be simplified. This final version of the extruder will be titled Recyclebot V5.1. This piece of equipment was developed to be fully functional with recycled plastic granulated by the new version of the plastic granulator, developed by the MTU OSHE, due for release spring 2017.

Previous Research

The main motivation for our changes and design of our extruder circles around the fact that material characteristics of the recycled plastic are very different from raw plastic pellets. We wanted to have increased control over filament extrusion rates, puller and winder rates and capacity, leading to a self adjusting machine based on the filament characteristics (which differs from previous recyclebot technologies). The layout of the machine is loosely based on industrial extruder designs, possessing all of the same functionalities, along with previous Recyclebot versions. We have designed the system such that we can control every aspect of the system to varying degrees, to test and develop the ideal system to be released as Recyclebot V5.1. In addition to this, we are taking steps to ensure ease of use when it comes to system construction. The general material and control of the system is similar to that of a 3d printer - please see BOM below.

There are many other home style open source 3d printer filament extruders available online. Some of which include:

  • Lyman/Mulier - [1]

The open source elements of this design include the libraries used for arduino control: Arduino libraries

  • LiquidCrystal
  • AccelStepper
  • PID_v1


The Mulier filament diameter sensor [link]

Project goals

The main goal of this project is to be able to make a robust, self correcting filament extruder to be used to work with any filament or recycled plastic-type feedstock into the system.

In addition to this, here are the following goals placed into the design functionality:

  • Goals into current design
    • Create a renewed version of the Recyclebot that encapsulated the entire system, including extuder, cooling section, diameter sensing and control, automatic winding, and system manufacturing rates.
    • Control over functionality of individual system components and user interface design.
    • Significant price and skill requirements for construction as compared to previously Recyclebot versions.
    • A baseline representation of functionality of the ideal system. It is very easy to make the changes that we would like, now that all of the building blocks are complete.
  • Goals into Recyclebot V5.1
    • Fully automatic filament extrusion, including rate, diameter, and plastic type control.
    • Water bath cooling section (if necessary, to obtain high manufacturing rates and precise diameter control).
    • Ease of use for construction. Well documented directions that anyone could follow to build and operate our system.
    • A profitable business model for both selling extrusion systems and printer filament.


Design

The design can be broken into 5 distinct functions.

  • Extruder
  • Cooling Section


  • Filament Puller


  • Filament Guide
  • Filament Winder


All printed stl files and arduino code can be found on GitHub here.

Extruder

The current design features 3 stepper motors and a servo. The extruder itself features a NEMA 23 stepper motor, with a 1:15 gearbox. This motor is then coupled to a drill bit via a 3d printed coupler. Surrounding the drill bit is a printed hopper, designed to hold extruder feed stock.

As you move down the drill bit, you will see that it enters a pipe with nichrome wire wrapped around it. Also attached to the pipe is a thermistor that is used to measure the extruder temperature. This barrel assembly can be wrapped in insulation, as seen in Figure [] below. At the end of the pipe, there is a nozzle with a [] size drilled hole in the middle. This extruder assembly is attached to a base to keep all items steady.

Cooling Section

Currently, the cooling section is comprised of 5x50mm CPU fans arranged in such a way to maximize airflow around filament, see Figure [] below. This fan assembly is attached to the board via a magnetic mounting system. This system has a base that is adhered to the board, with magnets both in the mounting plates and the fan assembly. This system has been designed to feature a modular effect with switching cooling unit assemblies, particular the water bath assembly that will be released in Recyclebot v5.1.

Filament Puller Section

BOM

Recyclebot V5.0 Prototype BOM.

Discussion

This version of the Recyclebot is currently under heavy testing and continuous development. If you expect a version with all bugs hammered out, wait for Recyclebot v5.1, due for release Spring 2017. All printed files and code is located on GitHub here.

Conclusions

The Open Source Hardware Enterprise will continue development of Recyclebot v5. Expect a polished version released Spring 2017. The current version is a rough prototype and a proof of concept.

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