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Fabrication, Testing and Statistical Analysis of a Project-Based Single-Screw Filament Extruder

Abstract:

The Additive Manufacturing industry and its continuous rise are both promising and problematic at the same time because of the waste produced. In this study, the researchers fabricated a modified filament extruder based on the "Precious Plastic"project by Dave Hakkens. This study serves two purposes, to lessen the costs involved with procuring 3-D printing filament to use and to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste such as failed 3-D prints. The testing involves the variation of nozzles, extrusion temperatures, and motor speed with key results: 190 and 10rpm setup yielded the filament closest to the targeted value by having a mean diameter of 1.7490mm; motor speed and its interaction with temperature are significant to the determination of filament diameter; and in terms of tolerance, the filaments produced from testing is within the ± 0.05 range with 95% confidence level. For future testing, the inclusion of physical properties such as strength and flexibility can provide a concrete basis for selecting optimal settings and determining the quality of filament produced.