NIT Rourkela patents low-cost extruder for recycled 3D printing filaments

Researchers at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) have secured a patent for a low-cost, portable extruder system designed to produce composite filaments for 3D printing.

The system is engineered to utilize recycled plastics, reducing the industry's reliance on expensive virgin materials and promoting the use of plastic waste. The technology addresses common challenges in recycled filament production, such as high processing costs, material wastage, and inadequate mechanical strength.

Developed at a cost of approximately Rs. 45,000, the setup includes an extruder, a controlled cooling system, and PID temperature controllers to ensure precision. According to Professor Sandhyarani Biswas of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the resulting composite filaments can improve the mechanical properties of 3D-printed parts across various applications, including biomedical, engineering, and drone manufacturing.