Page 78 - Towards A Sustainable Future , Phase 3 2025, E-Book_Neat
P. 78
Good Environmental Practices
•Efficient Collection and Sorting of SLS Waste Powder
Proper systems are in place to ensure the effective collection and sorting of unused SLS powder, reducing contamination and
preserving material quality for recycling into filament.
•Performing Quality Control to Minimise Defective Filament Production
Rigorous testing is conducted to ensure the mechanical, thermal, and dimensional properties of the recycled filament meet
FDM printing standards. This minimises defective output and Waste during filament production.
•Collaborating with Industry Partners to Share Best Practices
ELH Tech works closely with partners, such as ITE College, and its network of Raise3D printer customers to promote the adoption
of recycled filament. Through workshops, demonstrations, and shared resources, ELH Tech fosters industry-wide awareness of
sustainable practices, helping to drive the transition toward a circular economy in additive manufacturing.
Eco-solution: Converting SLS Waste Powder to FDM Filament
The process involves:
1.Powder Collection: Collecting unused SLS powder from production lines.
2.Material Blending: Mixing the powder with polymer resins to form feedstock.
3.Extrusion: Extrusion equipment is used to produce filament.
4.Quality Testing: Ensuring mechanical and thermal properties meet FDM standards.
The entire process is illustrated in Figures 1-4 below.
Figure 1: Converting SLS Waste Powder to FDM Filament
Figure 2: Image of SLS powder and FDM Filament
76
