Project start: 1.10.2025.

3D printing, particularly the fused filament fabrication method, has become the dominant additive manufacturing technique in recent decades. The development of this technology can be divided into 3 periods: the creation of the technology in the early 1980s, industrial application from the late 1990s to 2010, and consumerization from 2010 to today. The commercialization of 3D printers and the advancement of CAD software significantly increased the popularity of this technology, enabling rapid development of manufacturing tools. This capability was crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic for producing protective medical equipment.

The most common materials for 3D printing are polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA). The technology has expanded from polymers to metallic and ceramic materials, while device prices have significantly dropped. According to data from 2018, over 19,285 industrial and 591,079 commercial 3D printers were sold in the U.S. alone. The European 3D printing market was estimated at $4.61 billion in 2020, with expected growth to $10.12 billion by 2026.

However, 3D printing also poses environmental challenges. The average user consumes about 24 kg of plastic annually, with approximately 10% of successful prints becoming waste. In response, a circular economy concept based on the "6R" methodology is proposed. This project focuses on recycling 3D printing waste to create new filament while improving the mechanical properties of recycled materials through experimental testing methods such as tensile testing, low-cycle fatigue, short-term creep, and rotating bending fatigue. Recycling PLA material results in a loss of certain material properties; therefore, potential improvements must be studied to enhance the mechanical characteristics of filaments and printed samples. Part of the project proposal will also focus on standardizing the process for producing filament from #D printing waste.