Polyformer is a 3D-printed, open-source machine that recycles PET bottles (90% of plastic water bottles are made from PET) into filaments for 3D printers. Polyformer is designed to be built with mostly 3D printed parts and easily obtainable components commonly found on 3D printers. Most makers can build it themselves. The modular architecture allows users to easily swap out parts and modify the machine to their liking. The unique vertical L shape allows the users to interact easily with the machine and also minimizes the amount of space that the machine takes.

By using a slicing tool built with stacked bearings to cut the water bottle into a long and consistent ribbon, the user can then feed the ribbon into the repurposed 3D printer hotend which thermoforms the ribbon into a 1.75mm filament as it goes through the brass nozzle with corresponding hole size. To automate the process, the user can then mount one end of the filament on the red motorized spool. The spool can be easily taken off to be transferred and used on a 3D printer. The outer shell can be easily opened thanks to the geared mechanism, it can be closed the same way to keep the user from touching the hotend. The entire machine was printed using recycled PET bottles which gives a nice translucent look to it.

Updates and developments will be posted on the PF Discord.

The full details and the build guide are on my GitHub.

The project is NOT available for sale, but you can build one yourself.

The part kit is available at Triangle Lab(Global) and DFH(US). (Printed parts not included)

Photo Credit: James Chou

Special thanks to Joshua R. Taylor at recreator3d.com for the inspiration for this project.

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-VoronDesign

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