MSD Project 26352 3D Printing waste: Sheet Press

WE were contracted by the SHED makerspace to create a device that can recycle 3D printing waste into a sheet of PLA plastic that can be used in laser cutting. RIT produces over 100 kgs of waster per year, this project is committed to helping reduce that waste by turning unusable 3D print waste into a usable sheet. the machine uses a heating plate with heating coils inserted inside to heat up a cassette cartridge filled with PLA scrap. This Cassette is also subject to external pressure from a piston to help speed up the heating of the plastic, and applying a force to have the sheet form uniformly. Once formed into a sheet the cassette is removed and allowed to cool before removing the sheet and starting over. WE hope to demonstrate this process and show off some pre made sheets and laser cut designs using said sheets.