BETA Rotary Sifter for Recreator 3D Mk6

About this mod

This mod is designed to be an accessory to other recycling equipment such as an ARTME3D, Filament re-extruder, Injection molding machine or other plastic recycling machines that require re-ground plastic. It uses the same gear mechanism that the Recreator 3D Mk6 Fun size (R3D MK6) uses to rotate a drum with 4mm holes on the outer wall tumbling the grinds inside and filtering out only the pieces that are small enough to fit through the holes. 

Required hardware

First, you will need an actual R3D Mk6 to build the base, if you haven't built that yet go here and build the base of this first. You won't need a hot end on this mod as all it does is spin the motor so you can forego anything to do with that. You also won't need the 2020 aluminum extrusion as I have opted for printed risers instead because we need the height to get the catch basin or chute underneath it anyway.

What you will need that is not detailed in the R3D Mk6 assembly guide you will only need if you intend to use the chute attachment instead of the catch basin and is as follows.

Screws: 

M3x5mm screws: 10 (for securing the chute to the base.

Required tools

The tools required to build the R3D Mk6 base are listed on the Printables page or in the assembly guide for that project. To install this mod onto your Mk6 base, you’ll need just a couple of hex keys—likely the same sizes you already use for the base.

Recommended print settings

The (eventually) pictured model is printed using PLA and PETG. Most parts won't experience heat or mechanical stress, except for the gear mechanism, which should ideally be printed in PETG or PET1.

The only part you might consider printing in ABS is the chute. This would only be necessary if you want to smooth the bottom of the chute for a better slide of the grinds, either through vapor smoothing or sanding. However, this process is labor-intensive at best and potentially hazardous due to the chemicals involved, so it's probably easier to stick with printing and using the catch basin.

I recommend using 4 walls to add extra rigidity to the screw holes, although this may not be strictly necessary.

Stay tuned for a build video of this mod.