3D printers are becoming increasingly popular for home use. These devices allow people to create objects by melting plastic into liquid form and pouring it into a mold. The additive manufacturing process allows people to create everything from toys to jewelry to medical equipment. Find out how to recycle 3D printing filament and save money in this process.
Unfortunately, 3D printing can be an expensive hobby because most long-term costs are associated with replacing the filament. So, there are ways to significantly reduce these costs and your environmental impact. This article will show you how to recycle 3D printing filament. Don’t worry, and It’s a lot simpler than you think.
Read: Creality CR-10 3D Printer Review Best Friendly-Budget 3D Printer
Recycling 3D Printing Filament
There was an additional cost associated with recycling the filament before we started. You can save money in the long run by bearing the one-time cost. Therefore, if you don’t like the outcome of your print, you can recycle old filaments to reuse the material. Just consider how much filament you’ve wasted so far. Imagine how much money you could have saved if you hadn’t wasted filament.
Moreover, read the article to find out the technique and equipment required to recycle the filaments.
Equipment Needed
You need two types of equipment to start reclaiming old materials.
- Shredder.
- Extruder (not your 3D printer).
The main purpose of a shredder is to shred your old prints. So, you put your old prints or failed prints into the shredder. It will shred your prints. Once you have these shreds, you will feed them into the extruder, which will heat them and allow them to be shaped and cooled into something that can be used.
Now, you’re thinking about how much additional cost I will bear for recycling purposes. The simple plastic shredder costs between $250 and $350, while the simple extruder costs between $300 and $400. Do you know, DIY enthusiasts can even make their own to save money. They are often cheaper than store-bought solutions, but they will be time-consuming.
You can also check this extruder from Amazon. This is very high quality.
Guidelines for Recycling Filament
To produce a usable filament, you need to follow some essential rules. The first rule of shredding is to never shred more than one type of material at a time. Because different filament types have different melting temperatures and viscosities, the final result will be unpredictable if you shred different filaments in the shredder. Moreover, the result can also be inexplicable even when the same material is combined with different brands.
Keep remembering that you will get more stable material if you use one type of filament. And If you are not using the same filaments, it will print unstable materials while printing. In addition, you should know that recycled filament may have a different diameter. You can choose which type of extruder you want based on your needs.
Your printer’s extruder may need to be replaced with one that accepts the new filament if you find that your new material is slightly larger or smaller. To ensure quality, you should test each batch of the spool.
Last but not least, if you want to prolong the life and quality of your shredder, never feed a large object in it. First, try to break it down with the help of a hammer, then put it in it. It will give the best results. If you think shredded
Plastic chunks are still large after shredding. You may put it again in a shredder. Because the more minor the plastic pieces, the more output comes.
Recommended: How To Pick The Best Filament For Creality 3D Printers | Complete Guide
Final Words
Undoubtedly, it looks like a lot of work to recycle filament. But it is a budget-friendly way to print in the long term. It would be best if you never considered your work as a burden, and you will soon lose hope of finishing it. Always do your work with courage and strength.
Start your recycling filament journey so that you can create high-quality models with almost no waste and minimal impact on the environment. Moreover, if you follow our instructions carefully, you will get good results. Finally, this is a great way to save money and clean the environment.
Selena Richard
Selena Richard is a tech blogger and entrepreneur who is passionate about new technologies. She has a keen interest in 3D printing and sublimation printers, which she uses to design crafts and solve problems for small business owners.
Selena provides simple and effective solutions for small business growth. With a team of expert members, she targets the needs of small business owners and takes pride in her work.
