Waste Plastic Direct Extrusion Hangprinter

As the additive manufacturing industry grows, it is compounding global plastic waste problem. Distributed recycling and (DRAM) offers an economic solution to this challenge, but has been relegated either small-volume 3D printers (limiting throughput) or expensive industrial machines accessibility lateral scaling). To overcome these challenges, paper provides proof-of-concept for a novel, open-source hybrid printer that combines low-cost hanging design with compression-screw-based end-effector allows direct extrusion of recycled in large expandable printing volumes. Mechanical testing resultant prints from 100% plastic, however, showed combining challenges non-uniform feedstocks heavy printhead hangprinter reduced strength parts compared fused filament fabrication. The preliminary results are technologically promising, provide opportunities improve on help process volumes needed DRAM address negative environmental impacts use.