{"id":1515,"date":"2024-05-23T16:39:29","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T20:39:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/?p=1515"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:00:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T23:00:11","slug":"sustainable-3d-printing-at-williams-college-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/projects\/sustainable-3d-printing-at-williams-college-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainable 3D Printing at Williams College (Part 2)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Polyformer Updates<\/h2>\n
\"Polyformer<\/a>

Polyformer 3D printed parts and electronics ready to be assembled.<\/p><\/div>\n

My name is Camily Hidalgo Goncalves, and I am a sophomore at Williams College majoring in Chemistry with a Neuroscience concentration. As a Makerspace student worker, I have recruited Milton Vento ’26, Tashrique Ahmed ’26 (both Computer Science students at Williams College and fellow Makerspace student workers), and Oscar Caino ’27, a student at Swarthmore College who is a prospective Engineering major, to assist me in assembling the Polyformer parts and electronics. <\/span>We have completed several milestones, and made significant progress on the Polyformer project at Williams College. This innovative project aims to upcycle waste plastic bottles into locally-sourced 3D printer filament.<\/span><\/p>\n

Assembly and Integration<\/h2>\n
\"The<\/a>

The assembled Polyformer<\/p><\/div>\n

Milton, Oscar and I worked together to assemble the 78 individual 3D-printed parts required for the Polyformer. This intricate process demanded precision and teamwork. Following the assembly of the physical components, I assisted Tashrique with integrating the electronics. This included the installation of a circuit board, LCD screen, volcano heater block, stepper motor, and various sensors and wiring. These components are essential for the Polyformer to function effectively, converting plastic bottles into usable 3D printer filament. <\/span><\/p>\n

Collection and Processing of Plastic Bottles<\/h2>\n
\"Plastic<\/a>

Plastic bottle collection poster.<\/p><\/div>\n

In preparation for testing, we collected approximately 75 plastic bottles. These bottles were contributed by the Williams College community, demonstrating a collective effort to reduce plastic waste. Elena Sore \u201827, a prospective Computer Science major and Makerspace student worker, and I worked on the initial step in the processing phase, which involved us cleaning the bottles and cutting them into long, consistent ribbons. These plastic ribbons will then be fed into the Polyformer, where they will be melted and extruded into filament.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Testing and Quality Assurance<\/h2>\n

Next fall semester we will begin rigorous testing to ensure that the Polyformer operates smoothly and produces high-quality filament that meets the required standards for 3D printing. Several tests will be conducted, including:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Durability Testing: <\/b>Assessing the strength and flexibility of the produced filament.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Consistency Testing<\/b>: Ensuring the filament has a uniform diameter, which is crucial for reliable 3D printing.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Compatibility Testing: <\/b>Verifying that the filament performs well with various 3D printers and printing conditions, while accommodating different material thicknesses from various brands of PET bottles.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Project Goals and Benefits<\/h2>\n

    The Polyformer project aligns with Williams College’s sustainability goals and offers numerous benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n