Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- plasticrecycling [2022-05-31 23:01] – [Extruding and Spooling] MirZa
+++ plasticrecycling [2025-02-16 20:01] (current) – aria
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-====== Plastic Recycling ======
+====== Currently not available, recycler needs repaired ======
+====== Plastic Recycling ======
 The lab has a system for shredding and recycling 3D printing filaments. We're currently set up to process PLA and PETG.
+Note: The product is not very user friendly or complete. The documentation/menu options/firmware code descriptions are not always complete or in proper English as it is not the author's native language. The firmware could be improved a lot.
 ===== Sorting & Storage =====
@@ Line 8: / Line 12: @@
   * The optimal object for shredding is something with an uneven shape in all three dimensions and <40% infill. The further you get from that, the harder it will be to process.
-  * **Don't put any item that's too big for the shredder (about 10x10x15cm) in the recycling box.** If you can cut it down to that size, do it. If not, it needs to go in the rubbish.
+  * Cut up bigger stuff so it fits into the recycling box (10x10x15cm), otherwise throw it away.
-  * Anything that can be described as a "sheet" or "panel" - ie, big in two dimensions and small in the third - may be difficult to shred because the shredder teeth will struggle to grab it.
+  * A good tip for anything that is big and flat that the shredder teeth will struggle to grab is to lean the shredder about 30 degrees to the right so they slide into the teeth better
-  * Don't try to recycle anything flexible, like unprocessed filament or a failed first layer that came off the printer as a flimsy plastic sheet.
+  * <del> Don't try to recycle anything flexible, like unprocessed filament or a failed first layer that came off the printer as a flimsy plastic sheet. </del> Works fine
 If you want to recycle something but the box is full, either do some shredding or toss it in the bin - don't overwhelm the lab with unprocessed recycling.
+When you are shedding a new material, vacuum out the blades, hopper and collection drawer the materials don't mix.
 ===== Shredding =====
-The shredder is pretty simple to operate. Make sure it's plugged in and the drawer that holds the shredded bits is empty (don't worry about the tiny bits clinging staticly to the inner surface). Load a few objects into the hopper at the top, close the lid, flip the switch by the power cable, and press the button on the top.
+The shredder is pretty simple to operate. Make sure it's plugged in and the drawer that holds the shredded bits is empty (don't worry about the tiny bits clinging statically to the inner surface ((Todo: buy an alpha ray source to dissipate static charge)) ). Load a few objects into the hopper at the top, close the lid, flip the switch by the power cable, and press the button on the top.
-You should hear the motor struggling occasionally and running more slowly or backwards to clear jams. If you hear the steady sound of a motor unbothered by anything difficult in its path, stuff is probably jammed against the sides of the hopper and not actually reaching the shredder teeth. Press the button to turn the shredder off (DO NOT rely on the safety switch under the lid!!) and re-seat a few things.
+You should hear the motor struggling occasionally and running backwards to clear jams. If you hear the steady sound of a motor unbothered by anything difficult in its path, stuff is probably not actually reaching the shredder teeth. Press the button to turn the shredder off (DON'T rely on the safety switch under the lid, it's software controlled) and re-seat a few things.
-Remove the drawer from the bottom of the shredder and empty it into the appropriately labelled "shredded" bin.
+Empty the drawer from the bottom of the shredder into the bin labelled "shredded". There is an oval sieve I printed to filter out the bigger bits and feed them back into the shredder. Smaller pellets are easier to extrude. You can run them through the shredder 2-3 times to make it easier later.
+You can fill the hopper and leave it running, it will automatically turn off after a while of it detecting there is nothing to shred.
+===== Shredding plastic bottles =====
+You can shred plastic bottles and other products after you have washed them with soap and warm water and dried them. Leave a note on the container for others to know what settings to use. The shreddings can be used to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HVjUGZM_cQ | melt into a sheet]], then [[https://www.instructables.com/Upcycled-Plastic-to-Laser-Cut-Boxes-to-Store-More-/ | laser cut to make things like boxes]]. Steph also has a small injection moulder in his office. Costa might be interested in an injection moulding project too.
 ===== Extruding and Spooling =====
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 Values given by Felfil:
-^ Material ^ Temperature (*C) ^ Screw \\ RPM ^ Motor \\ Current (A) ^ Drying \\ Needed ^ Notes ^
+^ Material ^ Temperature (*C) ^ Mode ^ Screw \\ RPM ^ Motor \\ Current (A) ^ Drying \\ Needed ^ Notes ^
-| PLA | 185-220 \\ depending on formulation | 7 | 0.7 | yes |
+| PLA | 185-220 \\ depending on formulation | Soft/Hard | 7 | 0.7 | yes | |
-| PETG | 210 | 7 | 0.7 | yes |
+| PETG | 210 | Medium | 7 | 0.7 | yes | |
-| ABS | 210 | 9 | 0.6 | yes | Safety ((The styrene fumes it gives off when melting are very smelly and can give you a headache, use extraction. Do your research and follow the safety recommendations)) |
+| ABS | 210 | Soft/Hard | 9 | 0.6 | yes | Safety ((The styrene fumes it gives off when melting are very smelly and can give you a headache, use extraction. Do your research and follow the safety recommendations)) |
-| Nylon | 240 | 9 | 0.7 | yes |
+| Nylon | 240 | Hard | 9 | 0.7 | yes | |
-| HDPE | 200 | 9 | 0.6 | no |
+| HDPE | 200 | _ | 9 | 0.6 | no | |
-| HIPS | 200 | 9 | 0.7 | no |
+| HIPS | 200 | Soft | 9 | 0.7 | no | |
+| TPU  | _   | Medium | _ | _ | _ | 2.85mm extrusion only |
+| PP   | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | |
+| PET from bottles | up to 270? | _ | _ | _ | _ |[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBCOyyY73e0]] |
+(The documentation is conflicted about if PLA should be ran with soft or hard mode, both seem to work. Update the wiki with settings you find work better)
 Add raw pellets 40-60% by weight. 100% recycled is also possible, but worse quality, not yet tested in the lab.
@@ Line 40: / Line 56: @@
 Run the filament through a spare 3d printer heatbreak to check all of it is not over 1.75mm, which will cause an annoying jam mid-print
+Mode controls the PID constants used to control the filament width.
+"Custom" allows you to set the winding speed manually. The control isn't fine enough and would need to be tweaked in firmware to be useful.
+The extruder can work for a maximum of 4 hours at a time, cool it down for 2 hours before turning it on again.
+===== Resources =====
+  * [[https://github.com/CollettivoCocomeri/Spooler/tree/master/Electronics/Sketch | Spooler firmware github]]
+  * [[https://github.com/CollettivoCocomeri/Spooler/tree/master/3D-Model | Spooler CAD file for making changes to]]
+  * [[https://felfil.com/support| Tutorials, 3D printed parts and Firmware download]]
+  * [[https://felfil.com/download-and-install-the-latest-felfil-spooler-firmware/ | Installing Firmware]]
+  * Blog posts
+    * [[https://felfil.com/how-to-configure-felfil-spooler-to-extrude-high-quality-filament/?v=5ea34fa833a1]]
+    * Download links for printing accessories: [[https://felfil.com/felfil-system-5-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-extrusion/?v=5ea34fa833a1]]
 ===== Upgrades =====
@@ Line 45: / Line 78: @@
 To do:
   * Figure out how to get the encoders on the extruder and spooler working better.
+    * Tweak the firmware to make all the menu options easier to adjust (make it have finer control and quicker to get to desired value)
   * Add another fan to the extruder to cool the motor directly.
+  * Intermittent firmware bug with filament sensor - it detects the width correctly (verified with Serial.print in firmware) but does not start the motor. Sometimes it works, sometimes doesn't.
+Done:
+  * Printed a bigger hopper
+  * Changed the pitch of the distribution winding mechanism as it was taking frustratingly long to move it from side to side. (In firmware, find and replace all instances of '79' with '19' to update the distance it now has to travel
+  * Changed the filament sensor a little to make it easier to insert material
+  * Soldered in a barrel jack that doesn't randomly disconnect
 ===== Log =====