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Ivan Jovanovski
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IJ
Ivan Jovanovski

Electrical Engineer building practical solutions in energy systems, automotive electronics, and embedded systems.

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PET Bottle Recycler - Filament Extruder

recycling3D-printingRAMPSsustainabilityfilament
General

Project Overview

DIY filament extruder using RAMPS 1.4 board, dual 3D printer nozzles, and NEMA 17 stepper to convert shredded PET bottles into usable 3D printer filament.

Version:v1.0
Time:~30.0 hours
Cost:~$150
Status:complete

Materials

  • RAMPS 1.4 Board × 1
  • 3D Printer Hotend Nozzles × 2
  • NEMA 17 Stepper Motor × 1
  • Thermistors × 2
  • Heating Elements × 2
  • Aluminum Extrusion Frame × 1
  • PET Bottle Shredder/Cutter × 1

Tools

  • Soldering Station
  • Multimeter
  • 3D Printer (for parts)
  • Drill Press

Build Steps

1. Bottle Cutting System

⏱️ ~6.0h

Designed a bottle-cutting contraption to slice PET bottles into uniform strips suitable for feeding into the extruder.

2. Extruder Assembly

⏱️ ~8.0h

Built the extruder using RAMPS 1.4 board, dual hotend nozzles for melting, and NEMA 17 stepper for controlled extrusion.

3. Temperature & Speed Tuning

⏱️ ~5.0h

Implemented temperature control and extrusion speed tuning to achieve consistent filament diameter for reliable 3D printing.

Results

Successfully produces usable PET filament from recycled bottles.

  • Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm
  • Tolerance: ±0.05 mm

Safety Notes

High temperatures involved. Use proper ventilation when melting PET. Wear heat-resistant gloves.