Waste PLA – Rafts, Supports etc

Waste PLA – Rafts, Supports etc

This topic has 7 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 28 July 2020 at 20:15 by Neil Wyatt.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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28 July 2020 at 11:17 #487950
Nick Clarke 3
Participant
@nickclarke3
I was tempted to post this in the tea room, but here goes.

Having a tidy up and about to dump a carrier bag full of PLA waste from rafts, supports etc.

I know it is biodegradable so its impact will not be high, but if these were pieces of metal this size I would save them and use them.

Is there any purpose these could be used for? I don't think there can be, but if there is anyone who knows I suspect they will be on this forum.
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28 July 2020 at 11:17 #31651
Nick Clarke 3
Participant
@nickclarke3
28 July 2020 at 11:21 #487952
ega
Participant
@ega
Is the Port of London Authority reduced to using rafts?!
28 July 2020 at 11:43 #487954
Journeyman
Participant
@journeyman
PLA isn't that bio-degradable. I've made plastic clips that have been outside in the weather for a few years and show no sign of deterioration. Apparently it needs to be finely ground and mixed into soil to degrade, despite being made from basically corn starch. An interesting article on recycling PLA.

John
28 July 2020 at 16:51 #487993
not done it yet
Participant
@notdoneityet
If you were a member of “3DCrowd”, you could be able to recycle plastic scrap to “Aura” (part of Hull University).

Only members of that group are eligible to take part, I will add.
28 July 2020 at 17:17 #487997
John Hinkley
Participant
@johnhinkley26699
There are a number of videos on YouTube which address this issue, one I've watched is Here

It looks like you could spend a fair bit of money getting some purpose-built devices to acheive the aim, or save money and do it with home-brewed kit in the workshop. Seems like a lot of faff to me, but then I don't have a 3D printer. If I did, I dare say I'd have a lot of failed prints to recycle!

John

Edited By John Hinkley on 28/07/2020 17:18:36
28 July 2020 at 17:31 #488002
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
Melt it, compress it into a block with a simple wooden mold, machine it into something. Basicly like reworking HDPE triangle symbol 2.
28 July 2020 at 20:15 #488036
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Some people shred their waste and extrude their own filament.

Not everyone is convinced it is worth the effort.

I may have a related 'snippet' relating to this subject in MEW 296.

Neil
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