{"id":125522,"key":"Low-Cost_Open-Source_Melt_Flow_Index_System_for_Distributed_Recycling_and_Additive_Manufacturing","title":"Low-Cost Open-Source Melt Flow Index System for Distributed Recycling and Additive Manufacturing","latest":{"id":1186457,"timestamp":"2025-09-18T15:56:09Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"{{FAST notice}}\n\n[[File:Materials-17-05966-ag.png|thumb]]\n\n{{Publication data\n| type = Paper\n| cite-as = Liu, D.; Basdeo, A.; Gonzalez, C.S.; Romani, A.; Boudaoud, H.; Nouvel, C.; Cruz Sanchez, F.A.; Pearce, J.M. Low-Cost Open-Source Melt Flow Index System for Distributed Recycling and Additive Manufacturing. ''Materials'' 2024, 17, 5966. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235966 [https://www.academia.edu/126090472/Low_Cost_Open_Source_Melt_Flow_Index_System_for_Distributed_Recycling_and_Additive_Manufacturing Academia.edu], [https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202409.2305/v1 Preprint]\n}}\n\n{{Project data\n| authors = Dawei Liu, Aditi Basdeo, Catalina Suescun Gonzalez, Alessia Romani, Hakim Boudaoud, Cécile Nouvel, Fabio A. Cruz Sanchez, and User:J.M.Pearce\n| status = Designed, Modelled, Prototyped, Verified\n| verified-by = FAST, EPRI\n| uses = MFI\n| links = https://osf.io/68hbj/\n| location = London, ON, Canada\n}}\n\n{{Device data\n| assembly-instructions = https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/23/5966\n| design-files = https://osf.io/68hbj/\n}}\n\nThe increasing adoption of distributed recycling via additive manufacturing (DRAM) has facilitated the revalorization of materials derived from waste streams for additive manufacturing. Recycled materials frequently contain impurities and mixed polymers, which can degrade their properties over multiple cycles. This degradation, particularly in rheological properties, limits their applicability in 3D printing. Consequently, there is a critical need for a tool that enables the rapid assessment of the flowability of these recycled materials. This study presents the design, development, and manufacturing of an open-source melt flow index (MFI) apparatus. The open-source MFI was validated with tests on virgin polylactic acid pellets, shredded recycled poly(ethylene) terephthalate glycol flakes, and high-density polyethylene/poly(ethylene) terephthalate blends to demonstrate the range of polymer types and recyclability. The proposed MFI tool offers a user-friendly and cost-effective solution for evaluating the flow properties of materials from waste streams, thereby enhancing their viability for additive manufacturing applications.\n\n* Main design files: https://osf.io/68hbj/\n* Target group: Engineering and materials science\n* Open-source license\tDesigns GNU General Public License (GPL) 3.0 and hardware under CERN OHL v2\n* OSHWA certification https://certification.oshwa.org/ca000059.html\n* Cost of hardware\tCAD$318\n\n \n\n[[File:Mfiga.jpg|thumb|Open Source Melt Flow Index]]\n\n \n\n{{Pearce publications notice}}\n\n== See also ==\n\n* [[Open Source Lab]]\n* [[Building research equipment with free, open-source hardware]]\n* [[Open source science]]\n* [[Open-source hardware]]\n* [[Open-source syringe pump]]\n* [[Open Source 3-D Printed Nutating Mixer]]\n* [[Open Source Laboratory Sample Rotator Mixer and Shaker]]\n* [[Open Source Digitally Replicable Lab-Grade Scales]]\n* [[Open Source Vacuum Oven Design for Low-Temperature Drying: Performance Evaluation for Recycled PET and Biomass]]\n* [[AC/off-grid photovoltaic powered open-source ball mill]]\n* [[Open Source Scientific Bottle Roller]]\n* [[Open Source Cold and Hot Scientific Sheet Press for Investigating Polymer-Based Material Properties]]\n* [[Recyclebot]]\n\n{{MOST-recycle}}\n\n{{Page data\n| keywords = open source hardware, 3d printing, distributed manufacturing, laboratory equipment, open hardware, open source, Materials processing, Polymer, Plastic Composite, material extrusion; material properties; melt flow index; polymers; recycling; rheology; thermal properties\n| sdg = SDG09 Industry innovation and infrastructure\n| authors = User:J.M.Pearce\n| organizations = FAST, Western\n}}\n\n[[Category:FAST Completed]]\n[[Category:science]]\n[[Category:chemistry]]\n[[Category:Open source hardware]]\n[[Category:material science]]\n[[Category:FAST methods]]\n[[Category:3d printing]]\n[[Category:Distributed manufacturing]]\n[[Category:Open hardware]]\n[[Category:Open source]]\n[[Category:recycling]]"}