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Making 3D Printer Filament from Empty Plastic Bottles

Mike Thomas
Mike Thomas
Created , last modified
Polyformer
Cover Image for Making 3D Printer Filament from Empty Plastic Bottles

Image © 2022 Reiten Design

Table of contents

  1. Sourcing Parts
    1. Fasteners
    2. Motion
    3. Electronics
    4. Misc
  2. PolyPlank Mod
    1. Bottle Cutter
    2. Gearbox
    3. Spool
  3. Printing Parts
    1. Ribbon Cartridge
    2. Carriages
    3. Main Body
    4. Panels

Sourcing Parts

Sourcing and printing parts to assemble a Polyformer.

Fasteners

ItemQuantityReceivedNotes
M3x6 BHCS39
M3x8 BHCS14
M3x12 BHCS63
M3x20 BHCS9
M3x30 BHCS4
M3 Nuts13
M3 Threaded Insert111
M3 Washers11
M5x1612
M5x254
M5x302
M5 Washers14

Motion

ItemQuantityReceivedNotes
623 Bearing66
608 Bearing33
Linear Shaft 12x300mm6

Electronics

ItemQuantityReceivedNotes
BigTreeTech EBB4211
Inlet Power Socket IEC320 C1411
Nema 17 Stepper Motor11Using original Anet A8 Extruder Motor
Power Supply11Using original Anet A8 Power Supply
Raspberry Pi11
Volcano Hotend113.00mm x 1.20mm Nozzle, 12V 40W Heater Cartridge, M3 Screw Thermistor
40x40x10 Axial Fan1112V Noctua
60x60x25 Axial Fan1112V Noctua

Misc

ItemQuantityReceivedNotes
6x3mm Neodimium Magnet24

PolyPlank Mod

I plan to start by using the PolyPlank Mod which means printing the bare minimum parts to get the machine working out of ABS.

ItemQuantityMaterialPrintedNotes
Polyplank_Q4_20221BasicFil PETG (Clear)❌

Bottle Cutter

ItemQuantityMaterialPrintedNotes
Body1eSun ABS+ (Cold White)❌
Bottle_Cap1eSun ABS+ (Cold White)❌
Bottle_Cap_Tensioner1eSun ABS+ (Cold White)❌
Bottle_Holder1eSun ABS+ (Cold White)❌
Cutter1eSun ABS+ (Cold White)❌
Sliding_Gauge1eSun ABS+ (Cold White)❌

Gearbox

ItemQuantityMaterialPrintedNotes
Gear_Box_CAM1BasicFil PETG (Clear)❌
Gear_Box_Cap1BasicFil PETG (Clear)❌
Gear_Box_Fan1BasicFil PETG (Clear)❌
Gear_Box_Motor_Mount1BasicFil PETG (Clear)❌
Gear_Box_Output_Gear1BasicFil PETG (Clear)❌
Gear_Box_Ring_Gear1BasicFil PETG (Clear)❌

Spool

ItemQuantityMaterialPrintedNotes
Filament_Mount_Meltzone_Side1eSun ABS+ (Cold White)❌
Filament_Mount_Spool_Side1eSun ABS+ (Red)❌
Spool_Body1eSun ABS+ (Red)❌
Spool_Shield_Left1eSun ABS+ (Red)❌

Printing Parts

Once I have hopefully made some PET Filament I plan to eventually print the rest of the Polyformer using the recycled PET Bottle Filament.

Ribbon Cartridge

ItemQuantityMaterialPrintedNotes
Ribbon_Cartridge_Body2Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Ribbon_Cartridge_Cap2Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Ribbon_Cartridge_Turning_Key1Recycled PET Bottle Filament Accent Colour❌

Carriages

ItemQuantityMaterialPrintedNotes
Electronics_Bracket4Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Filament_Guidler1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Filament_Guidler_Mirrored1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Filament_Guidler_Spindle1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Inlet1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Meltzone1eSun ABS+ (Cold White)❌
Meltzone_Wings2eSun ABS+ (Cold White)❌
Ribbon_Cartridge_Holder1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌

Main Body

ItemQuantityMaterialPrintedNotes
Feet2Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Left_Lower_Arm1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Left_Upper_Arm1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Panel_Stabilizer2Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Right_Arm_Connector1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Right_Lower_Arm1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Right_Upper_Arm1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌Replaces PolyPlank Mod
Spool_Shaft1Recycled PET Bottle Filament Accent Colour❌
Spool_Shaft_Knob1Recycled PET Bottle Filament Accent Colour❌
Spool_Shaft_Knob_Tensioner1Recycled PET Bottle Filament Accent Colour❌
Trim_Plate2Recycled PET Bottle Filament Accent Colour❌

Panels

ItemQuantityMaterialPrintedNotes
Left_Lower_Panel_First_Half1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Left_Lower_Panel_Second_Half1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Left_Upper_Panel_First_Half1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Left_Upper_Panel_Second_Half1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Panel_Locks6Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Rail_Cap_Left1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Rail_Cap_Right1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Right_Lower_Panel_First_Half1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Right_Lower_Panel_Second_Half1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Right_Upper_Panel_First_Half1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Right_Upper_Panel_Second_Half1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Screen_Mount1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Top_Panel1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Top_Panel_Shaft1Recycled PET Bottle Filament❌
Screen_Dial1Recycled PET Bottle Filament Accent Colour❌
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