If you look at plastic bottles and 3D printer filaments, it may not be obvious, but PET is used as a material in each case. PETFusion 2.0, a machine for recycling PET bottles, is currently being crowdfunded on Kickstarter. A rather unusual aspect of the crowdfunding campaign is that supporters are not promised the PETFusion 2.0, but rather the STL files that can be used to print the machine itself, given that supporters likely already own a 3D printer .
Depending on the supporting contribution, not only printing models, the list of necessary non-3D printable components, instructions and individual assistance are offered, but also a commercial license, which means that the PETFusion 2.0 can also be produced and sold for commercial purposes. Users receive instructions for a $39 contribution. Given that version 2.0 of PETFusion already exists according to the videos shared, we consider the financial risk for supporters of this campaign to be rather low.
To produce filament from a plastic bottle, the PET bottle must be clean and unlabeled. The bottle is cut into strips, which are then heated and printed themselves via a hotend with a diameter of 1.75 millimeters. As the filament is produced, it passes through an ink-based colorer which, as the name suggests, colors the filament. A filament welder is installed so users can connect shorter pieces of filament seamlessly, ensuring large spools of filament for ambitious 3D printing projects. In summary, the PETFusion 2.0 is designed as an all-in-one machine that combines cutting, extrusion, coiling and welding.
