According to foreign media Recycling International, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory has developed a way to convert post-consumption plastics into 3D printed materials.
This has enabled trained soldiers to quickly manufacture and repair alternative parts for military vehicles, weapons and equipment.
Researchers at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) used a method called solid-state shear crushing (solid-state shear pulverisation) to create composite thermoplastic filaments. In the process, shredded waste-mainly plastic bottles, as well as some paper and cardboard-is crushed in a twin-screw extruder to produce fine powder.
The powders are then melted and processed into 3D printed filaments.
The mechanical properties of the new 3D print filament have been improved, with an average strength of 70 trillion Pascal, making them useful materials for the maintenance of military trucks, weapons and other important tools. The U.S. Army Research Laboratory has found a way to convert post-consumption plastics into 3D printed materials.
This has enabled trained veterans to quickly manufacture alternative components for military vehicles, weapons and equipment.
Reduces wait times Most military bases in the United States have 3D printers. But military bases sometimes have to wait one months to Anthony Mornas the print filament, said Anthony Molnar, a U.S. Marine Corps captain.
He said the conversion of the waste plastic to 3d printing filament would be expected to change that waiting situation. Ideally, soldiers would not have to wait for the next supply vehicle to receive vital equipment, said Dr. Nicole Zander, a researcher at ARL.
Now, she explains, they can basically enter the cafeteria, collect abandoned water bottles, milk cans, cardboard boxes and other recyclable items, and then use them as raw materials for 3D printers to make tools, parts and other gadgets.
Move quickly. ' Now, our opponents ' tactics and equipment are being updated very quickly, ' said Captain Morner. ' This new technology will enable fighter jets to beat changing enemy technologies more quickly.
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U.S. Marines and research experts are now working together to build a mobile recycling trailer for specially trained soldiers to make 3D printing filaments out of plastic waste. "We still have a lot to learn about how best to process these materials and which additives can improve their performance," Dr. Zander said. We're just trying to solve the problem of these waste plastics.
' Scrap plastic becomes 3d print filament! The U.S. military is also used to repair equipment components.