Filament Recycler Design Project

As part of a five-person team in our Mechanical Engineering Design course, we developed a filament recycler aimed at large-scale FDM 3D print farms to help them reuse scrap from failed prints, prototypes, and support structures. Current recycling options for filament are costly and limited, so our team designed an accessible solution to shred and dehydrate filament, enabling it for future use in injection molds or as 3D printing filament.

Our approach focused on thorough analysis using both hand calculations and SolidWorks FEA for accurate assessment of frame connections, motor performance, safety factors, and estimated costs. My primary role involved creating CAD models used in presentations and simulations, performing factor of safety and load analyses, and finalizing project reports.

This project deepened my technical skills in SolidWorks, as well as my ability to present engineering solutions with an eye on environmental and economic impact. The design not only met safety standards but also prioritized affordability, aiming to make recycling accessible for smaller companies and reduce plastic waste in 3D printing applications.