Evaluating Filament Extrusion and Material Properties of Recycled 3D Printing Filament

The overarching aim of this senior design project was to optimize recycled plastic filament, specifically PLA, without the use of any additives, for utilization in 3D printing applications. The primary objectives encompassed were the assessment of material properties, the minimization of 3D printing waste, the determination of the most effective extrusion technique, and the identification of the optimal parameters for producing filaments from recycled plastic. Prior to initiating the testing methodology, close attention was devoted to studying the adherence to standards and design of experiments to guarantee quality and compliance with requirements.

The methodology comprised six distinct phases: shredding, extruding, printing, testing, data collection and analysis, and concluding. Despite encountering certain bottlenecks throughout this iterative process, the team successfully overcome them, showcasing valuable insights into the PLA filament recycling process and associated challenges. Subsequently, all findings were integrated into the final research paper.