Projeto de protótipo de uma extrusora de bancada

Abstract

The demand for polymer filaments has grown significantly in recent years, expanding the need for solutions that allow their production in an accessible, sustainable way, geared towards the academic environment. In this context, this work aimed to design a prototype benchtop extruder for the production of polymer filaments for 3D printing, contributing to teaching, research, and experimentation activities in the area of polymer processing. The proposal seeks to offer a low-cost alternative for filament manufacturing, also enabling studies related to material recycling. The methodology adopted initially comprised a literature review on the principles of polymer extrusion, the main materials used in the production of filaments for 3D printing, and the parameters that influence the quality of the process. Subsequently, the technical and functional requirements of the equipment were defined, as well as the selection of the mechanical, electrical, and thermal components necessary for its development. The project included the dimensioning of the compression, motion transmission, heating, feeding, and safety systems, in addition to the elaboration of the constructive drawings and the cost estimate for manufacturing the prototype. The extruder was developed with a compact metal structure, a single-screw compression system driven by a hightorque geared motor, temperature control via a PID controller coupled with a type K thermocouple, and a collar-type electrical resistance. The equipment also incorporated protective and ventilation elements to ensure greater operational safety and stability during the extrusion process. The results obtained demonstrated the technical feasibility of the project, showing the capacity to process polymers such as PET, PLA, and ABS, as well as adequate thermal stability and potential for producing filaments intended for educational and experimental applications. It is concluded that the developed prototype meets the proposed objectives, presenting satisfactory performance for use in teaching and research laboratories. Furthermore, the project contributes to the dissemination of knowledge about polymer processing and 3D printing. As future work, the implementation of a shredding system for recycling plastic waste and a filament pulling mechanism is recommended, aiming to increase the dimensional uniformity and quality of the produced material.