Diseño y construcción de una máquina recicladora y extrusora de PLA para el Observatorio Astronómico de Quito de la EPN

Abstract

This document details the process of design and construction of a plastic recycling and extruder machine for the Astronomical Observatory of Quito of the National Polytechnic School. It begins with the description of the different types of extrusion, investigated the physical properties, as well as the thermal ones of the PLA plastic for the processing in the extruder, as well as the requirements of the Astronomical Observatory Mechanical Workshop and then proposes a series of alternatives to choose, it should be a low cost manufacturing model, easy to operate, functional and it should has high quality. Finally, the assembly of the system was carried out. For the realization of the tests several aspects are taken into account, such as: material degradation, melting temperatures, spindle speed, testing with PLA, ABS, PET, PVA, and PLA SOFT, the test with recycled PLA as resulting in a uniform but very fragile extruded cord, which breaks on contact. ABS must be recycled in a fully closed extruder due to its high degree of toxicity. The mixture with 90% PET and 10% PLA gives a good result in terms of flexibility but the extruded cord leaves with lumps. The final results with PLA SOFT are taking into consideration for printing.