Reciclado de desechos plásticos en Laboratorio de Manufactura

Abstract

Mexico is ranned first place among countries with plastic waste production; recycling mainly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the recycling of other plastics is almost nil. Laboratory equipment are didactic elements in Manufacturing Engineering; It allows to develop professional competences required in this major, by integrating theoretical and experimental contents through laboratory practices. The problem of continuous use of 3D printers in lab practices is that, for each kilogram of polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), between 10% and 30% results in waste material. The university can hardly afford these supplies to the Manufacturing Laboratory because of the high cost of plasctic materials. That is why this project seeks to offer a technological proposal to give plastic waste a second life, as an outcome from laboratory 3D printers. This may decrease the environmental impact generated by the university. These wastes can be recycled, through a mechanical method, and used as material in the realization of laboratory practices that develop academic and professional skills of new manufacturing technologies.