NEFLIN 2019 Innovation Project

Transcription

1 Application Due: January 4, 2019 LIBRARY NAME University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries CONTACT PERSON Jean Bossart, Sara Russell Gonzalez, Aaron Williams PHONE NUMBER ADDRESS PROJECT TITLE Finding a Sustainable Solution for 3D Printing Waste FUNDS REQUESTED $6,728 PROJECT OVERVIEW (no more than 100 words): The project proposes to develop a 3D plastic waste recycling program using a Filabot EX2 extruder system. Many college and public libraries offer their patrons 3D printing services, however, failed prints generate substantial amounts of waste plastic that is simply discarded. Through this grant project the team will explore a more sustainable alternative that recycles the waste PLA into 3D filament for use in new 3D prints. Exploring the feasibility of recycling waste 3D filament supports our goal to provide outreach and materials to libraries with 3D printing capabilities that wish to make their 3D printing service more sustainable. TYPE OF LIBRARY: PUBLIC _X_ ACADEMIC SPECIAL SCHOOL (K-12) I have received my Library Director s approval to submit this application. _X_YES NO This project can meet the August 15, 2019 deadline to expend funds. _X_ YES NO Completed applications are due in the NEFLIN office by 5:00pm on January 4, Send completed application to: office@neflin.org as a Word document. Innovation Project Application Page 1 of 5

2 Briefly describe your library (e.g., staff, collection, budget, community served.) The University of Florida, established in 1853, is a Research 1 University and member of the Association of American Universities. In 2006, UF became the first college to commit to developing a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by Seven libraries form the George A. Smathers Libraries, the largest public library information system in Florida. The Libraries at UF are among the most frequently visited facilities on campus. For example, Marston Science Library at UF serves over 1.5 million visitors per year. UF s Office of Sustainability and the Library Green Team promotes sustainable solutions for the university campus with many programs that are promoted in partnership with Libraries' staff. The UF Libraries often collaborate with the surrounding community including Santa Fe College, Alachua County Public Libraries, neighboring counties in North Florida, and public schools. UF is looked to by the community and region to be a leader in developing innovative library services and sustainable solutions. Describe your need for this project. The Marston Science Library staff receives approximately 70 orders per month for 3D printing. Many of these orders include multiple prints. The average amount of filament used in successful prints is about 6,980 grams per month; however, much more filament is used to load the printers, produce support structures, and in failed prints. A conservative estimate of filament waste is about 20 percent or 1,396 grams per month. If we are able to recycle those failures the result can convert our facilities into a zero waste lab. This will allow us to explore the technology and educate others while gaining a deeper understanding of materiality and production industry responsibility. How do you expect this project will address the need you described? Many 3D printing labs are struggling with what to do with waste materials from structural supports and failed prints. Purchasing the filament recycling equipment and working with student interns to develop a reliable workflow with documentation will grant, specifically the interns, an opportunity to face a challenge in the broader field of 3D printing while coming up with real, sustainable solutions. The team posits that the proposed method is sufficiently effective that we will be able to take on 3D waste from other libraries in the area and to be able to provide outreach, materials, and guidance to libraries that wish to recycle their own waste materials. This new recycling initiative will utilize shredders to turn plastic waste into small granules. The granules will then be poured into a Filabot EX2 extruder system that will melt and re-extrude the plastic into new filament. The filament will then be wound onto recycled spools and used again for printing. The recycled filament will be shared with NEFLIN for use with its circulating printer and the team will work with other NEFLIN member institutions to provide them with recycled filament or accept their used spools or suitable plastic waste. Innovation Project Application Page 2 of 5

3 How do you expect this project will address the need you described? (continued) The project team will survey NEFLIN members about their current 3D waste procedures and their interest in using recycled filament. These survey results, along with evaluation of the equipment tested will be used to write best practices and develop recommendations for how libraries and schools can sustainability manage a 3D print service. Products of this project will be: Survey and analysis of NEFLIN member institutions regarding 3D printing and waste Provision of recycled filament to NEFLIN Evaluation of recycling equipment and development of best practices Presentation and written report of project and outcomes What resources from your institution will be involved in this project (staff, time, etc.)? This project will involve the coordination of Marston Science Library s 3D services department including the 3D and Emerging Technology Services manager and the student intern staff. The team will work with the equipment to develop a workflow and documentation on the recycling process to serve as a functioning guide for new incoming interns and staff as well as for other libraries and workshops interested in incorporating recycling into their 3D printing workflows. In what way(s) is this project innovative for your library? Currently the lab is a space that serves primarily as a production hub for patrons bringing in files. Marston Science Library student interns are limited in their opportunities to innovate in the larger 3D printing field. Anecdotally, the project team has received information at conferences and other forms of online communication that most libraries and schools are struggling with how to deal with recycling 3D waste so this will create an opportunity that goes beyond 3D printing and into responsible production of services and goods. The Marston Science Library will not only provide a commodity production space, but a space that produces innovation and ideas how to address current problems in the field. This will spur larger conversations about reuse and expands our abilities to turn a waste stream into something useful. Inherent assets that will contribute to this project include the user-base and interns that frequent the Marston Science Library to push the technology forward and create user-friendly documentation for distribution. How do you expect this project will impact service to your customers? The project can use recycled filament to reduce the cost of printing for customers by using it to print necessary support structures. Another hidden benefit of this process is that the results will essentially invent new colors of filament offering a unique material appealing to certain customers and their projects. The team believes the project will attract more users to the lab if they know that 3D creations will produce no waste for those who are concerned about the environmental impact of plastics production. Innovation Project Application Page 3 of 5

4 BUDGET NARRATIVE This proposal requests funding for a Filastruder EX2 bundle package, a Blendtec EZ 600 commercial quality blender, and a Fellowes Powershred 99Ci paper shredder to recycle 3D printer waste into new filament for printing. The Fellowes Powershred 99Ci cross-cut paper shredder and Blendtec EZ 600 commercial blender will be used to grind up the 3D printer waste into small pellets that is mixed with ~30% virgin pellets. The shredder is ideal for larger flat pieces, such as raft material, and the blender for the rest. Any waste that is larger than what will fit in either machine will first be cut down into smaller pieces before grinding. The shredder is currently priced at $209 ( and Blendtec EZ 600 blender at $404 ( through Amazon. The shredder is designed to shred plastic credit cards and the blender has a dull, wide metal blade that is capable of grinding ice and dried legumes. Both of these machines are used in the 3D community as grinders for recycled 3D filament. The EX2 bundle contains the EX2 Extruder, Airpath, and Spooler. The Extruder melts the pellet mixture and extrudes into the desired filament diameter. The filament next travels over the Airpath that rapidly cools it and ensures that it doesn t absorb moisture. The Spooler s controlled winding ensures that the filament stays at a consistent diameter, with theoretical tolerances of +/-0.05mm. This bundle is available directly from Filastruder for $3799 which includes a discount for purchasing it as a package. Indirect costs charged to this project by the University of Florida's Division of Sponsored Programs total $2,316 which represents 52.5% of the direct costs described above. Innovation Project Application Page 4 of 5

5 BUDGET CONTRACTUAL SERVICES (List each vendor) None SUPPLIES (Include a brief description of supplies needed) None EQUIPMENT (List equipment here with a unit cost of $500 or more.) Filabot EX2 Bundle: Contains the Extruder, Airpath, Spooler $3,799 Blendtec EZ600 Commercial Blender $404 Fellowes Powershred 99ci Cross-cut Paper Shredder $209 OTHER (Specify) Indirect costs at 52.5% of direct costs: $2,316 TOTAL $6,728 Innovation Project Application Page 5 of 5