Filament Maker ONE - 3devo

Recycling plastic is crucial for sustainable practices in research and filament production, reducing environmental impact by diverting waste from landfills and conserving natural resources. This supports the circular economy by reintroducing materials into production cycles and offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative for 3D printing filaments. 3devo, a Dutch tech company founded by innovative engineers, specializes in filament extrusion technology with machines like the GP20 plastic shredder or the filament makers FM ONE and FM TWO.

The FM ONE filament maker

The Filament Maker ONE is meticulously designed for R&D experimentation and is capable of processing a diverse array of materials, ranging from everyday commodity polymers to advanced, high-performance polymers. This versatility makes it an ideal tool for exploring new applications in 3D printing. 

Video 1: The Composer and Precision models of the FM ONE filament maker. Source: 3devo.

With adjustable settings for temperature, speed, and cooling, as well as the capability to mix different additives and polymers (carbon fiber, ceramic powder, chemical additives, metal powder, glass fiber, wood, nanoparticles, etc), the Filament Maker ONE provides a flexible platform for developing custom filament recipes tailored to specific R&D needs.

Video 2: Detailed demonstration of the Composer and Precision models. Source: 3devo.

The Filament Maker ONE reaches up to 450 ºC, accommodating a broad range of materials for diverse 3D printing applications. This high-temperature capability ensures that users can experiment with both common (PET, PLA, PP, HDPE, PETG, ABS, PS, LDPE, PC, PHB), engineering (TPU, POM, PA6, PVA, TPE, PCL, PA66, PA, ASA, PA12), and advanced materials (PEEK, PEI, PSU, PEKK, PPSU), expanding the potential applications for their 3D printing projects. The Filament Maker ONE is available in two versions: FM ONE Composer and FM ONE Precision:

1. Filament Maker ONE Composer: the Composer series targets material mixing and experimentation, allowing innovators to develop custom filament from a wide variety of polymers and additives. It features a mixing screw with a length of 335 mm, ensuring extensive material interaction for uniform filament properties. The screw is made of hardened nitride steel, providing durability and longevity. Design features include a compression zone and a built-in mixing section, enabling the production of consistent and well-blended filaments.
   

   

   Image 1: The two versions of the FM ONE filament maker. Source: 3devo.

2. Filament Maker ONE Precision: the Precision series is designed for the mass production of 3D printing filament with improved speeds and diameter accuracy. It includes a high-flow extruder screw that allows filament to be produced at high speeds while maintaining diameter precision. The screw, also 335 mm in length, is constructed from hardened nitride steel for optimal material processing and filament consistency. Its design features a compression zone for enhanced material handling and filament quality.

The DevoKit spare part package includes the following elements:

• 1x PLA granules (1.2 kg).
• 1x HDPE (4 kg).
• 1x Devoclean MidTemp (4 kg).
• 1x Devoclean HighTemp (1.2 kg).
• 2x 2 mm nozzle.
• 2x 3 mm nozzle.
• 2x 4 mm nozzle.
• 2x Puller wheel.
• 3x Empty spool.

While Devoclean MidTemp (MT) is suitable for standard purging at temperatures of 190-230 ºC, Devoclean HighTemp should be used with high temperature materials (290-400 ºC). More information on purging the FM ONE machine can be found here.

Main features

Intuitive control panel

The Filament Maker ONE features a streamlined interface with an OLED display and a simple rotate-and-push button for easy navigation. Quick-set profiles allow users to jumpstart their projects with standard material presets (PLA, ABS, PA12, PC, PEEK, and PS) or create custom profiles for unparalleled results.

Image 2: The FM ONE filament maker is equipped with an intuitive control panel. Source: 3devo.

The status screen displays key information about the extrusion process, including hopper status, current and set temperatures, material type, extruder status, extrusion speed in RPM, and average filament thickness. The main menu offers additional options during extrusion, allowing users to stop extruding, modify settings, and adjust the puller speed for optimal filament diameter control.

Robust and advanced components

The Filament Maker ONE is equipped with an industrial-grade extruder screw that is nitride-hardened for durability and features mixing capabilities for homogeneous filament blends. Its versatile extruder mixing zone allows users to experiment with various additives, plastics, fibers, or powders to create custom filaments tailored to specific needs.

Image 3: The screws of the FM ONE filament maker. Source: 3devo.

The smart material handling system includes an optical hopper sensor for material level monitoring, ensuring efficient and reliable operation. An advanced heating system with up to 4 zones allows for precise material processing. This multi-zone capability ensures that each material is processed at its optimal temperature, enhancing the quality and properties of the resulting filament.

Precision and quality

The vertical extrusion design of the Filament Maker ONE guarantees precise filament roundness and direct spooling, enhancing the quality of 3D prints. It delivers filament diameters from 0.5 to 3.0 mm with a tight tolerance of 0.05 mm, ensuring consistent print quality. This precision is crucial for achieving reliable and repeatable results in 3D printing, particularly for intricate designs and high-performance applications.

Image 4: The advanced optical sensor and puller. Source: 3devo.

Cooling is crucial in filament production as it helps the extruded filament solidify quickly and uniformly, maintaining its shape and consistent diameter. In order to ensure uniform cooling, 3devo has opted for a balanced dual fan system for the FM ONE filament maker.

Image 5: The dual cooling system. Source: 3devo.

This solution ensures even cooling, preventing defects such as bubbles, warping, and irregularities, which ensures high-quality and reliable 3D prints. Additionally, proper cooling enhances the mechanical properties of the filament, contributing to the overall integrity and performance of the final printed objects.

Efficient spooling mechanism

The adaptable spool mount of the Filament Maker ONE supports various spool sizes, providing flexibility in filament production to meet diverse project requirements. This versatility is particularly beneficial for users who need to switch between different filament types and spool sizes frequently. Customizable spooling settings allow users to set specific dimensions for perfectly wound spools, ensuring that each spool is tailored to the precise needs of the project.

Image 6: The spooling mechanism of FM ONE. Source: 3devo.

Additionally, the built-in slipper clutch adjusts tension for smooth operation, preventing filament breakage and ensuring a consistent winding process. The precision spooling mechanism guarantees tidy, tangle-free spools, supporting spools with diameters up to 240 mm and widths up to 120 mm. This meticulous attention to detail in the spooling process enhances the overall quality and reliability of the filament, making it easier to achieve high-quality 3D prints.

Sustainable workflow

Combine the Filament Maker ONE with the Filament Maker TWO and GP20 Shredder to unlock the full potential of your 3D printing projects. Shred your material, create custom filaments, and bring your 3D printing projects to life in a sustainable and cost-effective workflow.

Image 7: Sustainable workflow with FM ONE. Source: 3devo.

The Filament Maker ONE is a flexible and dependable extruder suitable for recycling and production tasks. It efficiently transforms various thermoplastics into premium filaments, making it well-suited for educational purposes, research and development, and small-scale production. Whether you're experimenting with new materials, prototyping, or creating customized filaments for specific projects, the Filament Maker ONE provides accurate control and reliable outcomes, ensuring efficient fulfillment of your 3D printing requirements.