An Expansion of 3D Printers
Not too long ago the idea of having a 3D printer at home was non-existent, unless you were willing to ante up a good deal of money. Eventually the Replication Rapid-Prototyper or RepRap project took the scene and allowed a vast amount of new as well as old companies to create cheaper 3D printers to fill the smaller printer use demand. These new printers allowed a greater number of people to be able to bring their creations to life without the need of emptying their bank account. The one thing that hasn't got much cheaper; actually printing. This is where an extraordinary college kid is making another change.
The College Kid
Tyler McNaney is a college student who recently discovered the world of 3D printing. He learned about it while surfing the internet on a college break and stumbling upon a video on 3D printing. He spent a good deal of his time learning about it and eventually bought his own. Like many others he realized the high price of the plastic filament used to print the object, roughly $50 per kilogram. Unlike the others though, he was determined to create a machine that could manufacture the plastic filament with everyday plastics found at home. This would allow people to print at the price of throwing away those bottles or previously failed or undesired prints, free!
Filabot Kicked In
McNaney's desire lead him to design the Filabot, a miniature filament producing machine. Like many other ideas, McNaney did not have the much needed starting capital to begin general production of the Filabot. So he decided to put it on Kickstarter and raised more than three times the projected target of $10,000.
Specifically he earned $32,330 and needs to produce 67 units for his investors, which he is very close to if not finished with all of them. The Filabot is a fairly simple device to use. The machine starts of by grinding up the plastic inserted by the user. It then travels, by means of a screw, towards the extruder pipe. On the way the grinded up plastic is heated (not melted) to be extruded in an easier manner. The newly produced filament is wound up on a spool as it exits the pipe. Then you can use it as you wish. Fairly simple, right?
Filabot's Filament
You may wonder what type of plastic can be used or the type of filament that can be made? Well, the Filabot can produce ABS, PLA, HDPE, LDPE, NYLON, and PET. Sadly, if your 3D printer needs PVC you still need to buy it from a filament producing company, since it has the possibility of releasing toxic fumes during the Filabot's process. Otherwise, you can create any of the others by using the designated materials on Filabot's website such as bottles, old prints and even your childhood toy, Legos. Filabot displayed the melting temperature on the website as well. So go green and save your money and the environment.
Change or be passed
McNaney's invention could force filament producing businesses to either lower their price or expect a drastic decline in sales. It may also bring 3D printers to money-stripped houses, businesses or even schools. I know I wouldn't be worrying as much of the ongoing cost of having a printer when I can just reuse prints or save my recyclable plastic. Before you may have worried about bad, useless prints but now I'm sure many of you money conscious 3D printer users out there, will begin to experiment and print at will. Although McNaney is still in school, he is still pushing his business and wants to be able to begin mass producing Filabots in order to help finish off your desktop 3D printing operation. Until then you should start saving those unwanted designs as well as taking a few Legos here and there. Honestly, your kids won't be able to notice a few missing pieces here and there, hopefully.
Quinn Farhessi is a technologist, 3d-printing consultant and blogger
at 3dprinterhub.com
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