> >>Felfil EVO extruder
Felfil EVO extruder Transparent View larger

Felfil EVO extruder

Felfil

This product could be delivered in a period exceeding the standard.

New product

749,00 €
749,00 €

Ask for information

A versatile open source desktop plastic extruder. Works with pellets and plastic scraps.

Add to wishlist

Felfil started out as a master’s degree project in EcoDesign at the Polytechnic of Turin, Italy. The passion for 3D printing and sustainable design gave rise to the EVO plastic extruder, first promoted in 2015 with a Kickstarter campaign. Since then the Felfil recycling kit has been expanded with two more devices - the spooler and the plastic shredder.

Plastic was first invented at the beginning of the 20th century, and it didn’t take long before it was commercialized and took the world by storm. Plastic is a very versatile and useful material, but it is also the source of a lot of waste and pollution. The Felfil EVO extruder is the answer to that problem on a domestic scale but with a lot of potential for big changes.

Video 1: Introduction of the EVO plastic extruder. Source: Felfil.

The Felfil Evo extruder is an open source Arduino based device. It comes already assembled and ready to use, which makes it the perfect entry level extruder. The package includes a material sample of about 400 g. The extruder itself is small (350 x 180 x 180 mm) and light (around 5 kg), which makes it fit onto a standard office desk or even a small table.

The Evo extruder during filament extrusion

Image 1: The Evo extruder during filament extrusion. Source: Felfil.

The printed circuit board is designed to be safe for home conditions - the accepted voltage is the standard range of 110-230 V found in the sockets at any house. The EVO extruder is sustainable as it only consumes between 80-180 W of energy, which is more or less what a desktop computer uses.

Versatile plastic extruder

The hopper can fit up to 1 L (approx. 330 g) of material - pellets or shredded plastic, such as failed prints, removed support materials or bottle caps. It is as easy as setting the speed and temperature, introducing the material and extruding. Many materials were tested on the EVO extruder and the compatible plastics were found to be PLA, ABS, HIPS, PETG, PA (6,12), PMMA, HDPE, LDPE, TPU, TPE and PVA. The EVO extruder can work at temperatures of up to 300 ºC, which makes it appropriate for extruding all the above mentioned materials. This allows the user to experiment almost without limits.

The gearmotor and the extruding screw of the Evo extruder

Image 2: The gearmotor and the extruding screw of the Evo extruder. Source: Felfil.

The secret of the great compatibility of the EVO extruder with so many distinct materials lies in the powerful gear motor and a special extruding screw. The Felfil Evo gearmotor performs up to 9 revolutions per minute. Its strength and reliability are what powers the extruding screw, allowing the EVO extruder to efficiently mix various materials.

The extruding screw, made from K100 steel, was designed to mix plastic scraps to perfection, producing new custom filament at a rate of 1.15 m/minute.

Video 2: Filament production from bottle caps with the Felfil EVO extruder. Source: Felfil.

Another convenient feature of the EVO extruder is that it allows for easily changing between 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm nozzles, which lets the user make filaments of different diameters. A video on how to change the nozzle can be found in the Usage tips section.

Making color filament

It is possible to make colored filament with the EVO extruder - both with pellets and plastic scraps. To make a colored filament using pellets, a mix of a polymer base and a color masterbatch in the desired proportions must be introduced into the catchment area of the shredder (keeping in mind the maximum capacity of the hopper).

Video 3: Making color filament with the Felfil EVO extruder. Source: Felfil.

Then, the temperature and speed of extrusion have to be set and the mix is ready to be extruded. The manufacturer urges not to use materials of unknown composition, various polymers together or abrasive additives. It is also advised to clean out the brand new extruder by extruding a testing batch, since at first the filament may contain metal shavings.

A standalone recycling kit

The Felfil EVO extruder can be used together with the plastic shredder and the spooler as part of a standalone recycling kit. With this set, it is possible to shred plastic, extrude it into filament and wrap it onto a spool that is then ready to use on a 3D printer.

The EVO extruder is part of the Felfil recycling bundle

Image 3: The EVO extruder is part of the Felfil recycling bundle. Source: Felfil.

The EVO extruder is a compact, safe and intuitive device that allows the users of desktop 3D printers to produce custom filament in a quick, affordable and sustainable way in home conditions, with no need for specialist equipment or a professional workspace.

Felfil EVO Datasheet

Download

Felfil EVO Manual

Download

There is a series of rules that should be followed when using the EVO plastic extruder:

  1. The EVO extruder should be placed on a flat, balanced and clean surface, with nothing on top of the extruder or around it, as it may block air flow. This can result in overheating and malfunction.
  2. Vinyl and PVC should not be used with the EVO extruder, as they let out toxic fumes. No fumes should be inhaled and the extruder should be used in a ventilated room, with a suction hood or other ventilation equipment. If the smell of burning plastic is noticed, the extrusion should be stopped and the equipment investigated for potential failure.
  3. Always use protective gloves when handling the EVO extruder and avoid touching the pipe, nozzle and resistor when the extruder is working, as it may result in a burn or a short circuit.
  4. Plastic of unknown origin and composition should never be used with the EVO extruder. In case of commercial pellets, attention should be paid to the type of plastic in order to properly adjust the extrusion parameters. As far as recycled plastic is concerned, the plastic type should be determined by examining the element/packaging. Different plastic types should not be mixed together. It can negatively affect the processing time of the extruder and later the 3D printer.
  5. The first extruded batch of filament will most likely contain metal shavings from the brand new extruder. That filament should be discarded, never used in a 3D printer, and the system should be cleaned with more pellets until there is no more contamination present.

Following those rules will ensure that the EVO extruder functions properly and safely. Should the extruder exhibit any atypical behavior or signs of malfunction, the manufacturer should be contacted.

Setting up the EVO extruder

The EVO plastic extruder already comes assembled but a few simple steps should be followed to properly plug it and prepare it for use. These steps are explained in a video provided by the manufacturer:

Video 1: How to use the Felfil EVO extruder. Source: Felfil.

The manual (Downloads section) should be inspected closely before the EVO extruder is used for the first time. It should also be made sure that the on/off button is in the off position before the extruder is plugged into the socket.

Changing the nozzle

The EVO extruder can use 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm nozzles. The process of changing them is quite straightforward. It is demonstrated in a short video by Felfil.

Video 2: How to change the nozzle on the Felfil EVO extruder. Source: Felfil.

The nozzle must be carefully unscrewed from the main frame of the device, and the new nozzle must be installed in its place (always with an O-ring).

For further technical information and safety recommendations, see the documents in the Downloads section.

Manufacturer Felfil
Filament diameters 0.5 - 3.0 mm
Nozzle diameters 1.75 mm / 2.85 mm
Compatible materials PLA, ABS, HIPS, PETG, PA (6,12), PMMA, HDPE, LDPE, TPU, TPE, PVA
Extrusion temperature 250 ºC / 300 ºC
Revolutions per minute 0 - 9
Capacity 1 L
Dimensions 350 x 180 x 108 mm
Weight 5 kg
Input 110 - 230 V
Consumption 80 - 180 W
HS Code 8514.40

Accessories

30 other products in the same category:

Filament2Print © All rights reserved

DATIVIC S.L. CIF/VAT: ESB70460423

Pol. Ind. Porto do Molle. 7A. 36350 Nigran (Pontevedra - Spain)