Recyclables used to make 3D printing affordable for all

Filabot is a desktop extruder that lets users make and reuse their own filament from household plastic recyclables.

The 3D printing trend has been going strong for several years already, bringing a whole new world of possibilities to DIY enthusiasts. One enduring sticking point, however, has been the necessity of buying the plastic filament used by 3D printers to bring users’ creations to life. That’s where Filabot comes in, with a desktop extruder that lets users make and reuse their own filament from household plastic recyclables. The brainchild of Vermont college student Tyler McNaney, the Filabot Reclaimer is a desktop extruding system that can grind milk jugs, soda bottles, unsuccessful prototypes and various other plastic objects to make spools of plastic filament for 3D printers. Different settings on the device accommodate different types of plastics, which are then ground, extruded and spooled. Plastic in chunks of up to three-by-three-inches in size can be ground up; from there the extruder will melt and pressurize the molten plastic to push it through the interchangeable dies. Two dies are included with the Filabot Reclaimer — one 3mm and one 1.75mm in size — each creating a different size of filament. Finally, the spool system will automatically roll it onto a spool after cooling and sizing. The video below explains the concept in more detail: After a highly successful Kickstarter campaign, Filabot is now gearing up for an official launch. Pricing details are not yet available. DIY entrepreneurs: time to get in line? Spotted by: Murtaza Patel