Educator question ProToCycler by ReDeTec

[Eric Ose]

Hey Lab, a teacher I know is asking about ProToCycler. Figured I'd bring the question here. I only recall from years ago hearing about this type of thing that repurposing with plastic for 3d printing was challenging since non-uniform filament makes more problems.

Anyone else have experience, thoughts, or suggestions?

Wanted to ask you if you have heard of the ProToCycler by ReDeTec- it recycles reuses PLA 3D print material. It costs a mere 2,000 - wondering if it is worth it. Have heard about it through some folks in my network. Any insight you can offer would be appreciated.

-Eric Ose

Robot Ambassador

Southwest Maker Fest President

HeatSync Labs Volunteer

[mib....@gmail.com]

Well, looking at the machines specs, it claims to have +/- 0.05 tolerance, which is comparable to most commercial filaments tolerances. My big question though is that I dont see anywhere on the machine where it is measuring filament thickness, I think they rely on you to measure and adjust the software to bring it into your preferred diameter and then their machine will keep it there within .05, but that begs the question of how they were measuring it and why theres not even a simple gauge to measure the extruded filament on the machine. It does mention  - Twin Optical Diameter Measurement Sensors , but i dont see anywhere in the software that outputs from those sensors so?   I don't personally know anyone who has this particular one, but I'm getting serious caveat emptor vibes from their ad copy. 

Listed throughput is 500gr/hr. is that 500g of pellets, or 500g of larger stuff that the grinder is grinding?

Speaking of the integrated grinder, why doesnt it list anywhere the size of the material the grinder can take? can it grind 3mm thick plastic? 30mm? 300mm? Who knows, their copy doesn't. There's a massive handcrank on the side with the grinder. is the grinder automatic or manual? Is that for clearing jams or do i have to sit and crank the grinder like a fraulein making hackfleisch? Again the ad copy is silent.

Im also interested to see pictures of or more data on the integrated spooler. I assume its mechanized, but how? what throughput can it handle?

I would love to see one of these in person, get my sweaty hands all over it. I am super intrigued by the idea of being able to prototype additives into filament on the fly and recycle. If your teacher friend ends up purchasing, please please please try and get me in the same room as it or get me some more copy from the company.

[Cprossu]

The big issue that I have seen has nothing to do with the tolerance of the said filament size wise when it comes to running recycled filament.

I was able to find a project if you'd like that lets you measure filament that might be able to be adapted.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:454584

The big issue I've seen is fact that contaminants can get in the recycled filament during extrusion, go unnoticed, and that will yield a clogged nozzle when you go to use it. I'm also convinced that an inconsistent blend of plastic will yield in the melting temperature of the filament being inconsistent through a roll. Whenever you have an extrusion issue during a print, it will at least ruin the print, if not get the nozzle jammed or have the filament chopped off by the extruder motor/gear assembly.

If I were to do recycled filament at all, there would be a machine dedicated to it so we could further figure out the problems and not kill our main 3d printers. The reason I am hesitant on running recycled filament on our main 3D printers is the downtime it will cause and the effort/work me and others will have to put in to get them running again. The more hands off those printers can be, the better! Considering how finicky FDM 3D printers are still, it's one variable which the addition of would cause me to pull my hair out when trying to debug them. It's a great idea and I support all the efforts trying to do the recycled filament, but I really think you need a solid printer and time to play with it to find the best solutions. Hobby 3D printers are still very much in their infancy (I can't just set up a 3D printer and expect someone without any training to be able to make prints as I would a 2D printer!) and using recycled filament puts you one more step towards that cutting edge of tech where you get burned more easily!

[Eric Ose]

Yep I'm with you on that Cpro. Definitely if you have plenty of other working printers and want students constantly fixing a clogged printer then it seems doable. Though I don't know how you keep students motivated to keep unclogging a printer.

I hear enough people saying they have problems with certain brands of filament.

-Eric Ose
Robot Ambassador
Southwest Maker Fest President

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