This article presents the development of a polymer filament extruder to recycle waste from 3D printing. As additive manufacturing grows within Industry 4.0, managing thermoplastic waste like PLA, ABS, and PET has become a key challenge. The proposed modular system includes a shredder, an extrusion unit, and a winding module to produce high-quality filaments with precise dimensions (1.75 ± 0.03 mm), ensuring compatibility with 3D printers. Aligned with circular economy principles, the system promotes material reuse and reduces environmental impact. Results confirm its technical and environmental feasibility, with potential for large-scale use. Future improvements may include recycling other polymers and using smart sensors and algorithms to optimize the process.
- Open Access
- Article
Development of a Polymer Filament Extruder: Recycling 3D Printer Waste
- André Guimarães 1, 2, 3, *,
- Samuel Messias 3,
- João Lopes 3,
- José Salgueiro 3,
- Daniel Gaspar 1, 2, 3
Author Information
Received: 15 Jul 2025 | Revised: 04 Aug 2025 | Accepted: 14 Aug 2025 | Published: 04 Jan 2026
Abstract
Keywords
additive manufacturing | polymer filament extrusion | circular economy in 3D printing | recycling | PLA recycling | sustainable materials engineering
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