The ProtoCycler extruder grinds plastic from bottles and melts it into spools for use in 3D printing.
The Society for Science and the Public reported on the invention, created by students at the University of British Colombia. They have set up a company to retail the product, called ReDeTec (Renewable Design Technology).
The device has a maximum extrusion speed of 10 feet per minute, which designer Dennon Oosterman claims is the fastest on the market. At that rate, it would take around two hours to create a one-kilogram spool. It is also smaller than other extruders and is reportedly up to ten times more efficient than its larger competitors.
To keep its operation simple, the designers are developing different settings for different plastics. So far the ProtoCycler has a setting for ABS and PLA, while users can also add dyes to produce different colour plastics. The designers are already applying for a patent for the machine.
Oosterman says the concept for the recycler was borne out of their concern that plastics they were using on projects were just being thrown away.
He said: “Schools are including 3D printing as part of their science and technology curriculum, but the cost of having each student try a project can quickly become unaffordable. With ProtoCycler, the students can try over and over until it’s perfect, nearly for free, without harming the environment.”
The ProtoCycler is currently retailing on the ReDeTec website for $699 (€637).