Development of a Low-Cost Automated Injection Molding Device for Sustainable Plastic Recycling and Circular Economy Applications
In response to the critical demand for innovative solutions to tackle plastic pollution, this research presents a low-cost, fully automated plastic injection molding system designed to convert waste into sustainable products. Constructed entirely from repurposed materials, the apparatus focuses on p...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Inventions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5134/9/6/124 |
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| author | Ananta Sinchai Kunthorn Boonyang Thanakorn Simmala |
| author_facet | Ananta Sinchai Kunthorn Boonyang Thanakorn Simmala |
| author_sort | Ananta Sinchai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In response to the critical demand for innovative solutions to tackle plastic pollution, this research presents a low-cost, fully automated plastic injection molding system designed to convert waste into sustainable products. Constructed entirely from repurposed materials, the apparatus focuses on processing high-density polyethylene (HDPE) efficiently without hydraulic components, thereby enhancing eco-friendliness and accessibility. Performance evaluations identified an optimal molding temperature of 200 °C, yielding consistent products with a minimal weight deviation of 4.17%. The key operational parameters included a motor speed of 525 RPM, a gear ratio of 1:30, and an inverter frequency of 105 Hz. Further tests showed that processing temperatures of 210 °C and 220 °C, with injection times of 15 to 35 s, yielded optimal surface finish and complete filling. The surface finish, assessed through image intensity variation, had a low coefficient of variation (≤5%), while computer vision evaluation confirmed the full filling of all specimens in this range. A laser-based overflow detection system has minimized material waste, proving effective in small-scale, community recycling. This study underscores the potential of low-cost automated systems to advance the practices of circular economies and enhance localized plastic waste management. Future research will focus on automation, temperature precision, material adaptability, and emissions management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0d25a145ad764e01b80f6a0f54ad1777 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2411-5134 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Inventions |
| spelling | doaj-art-0d25a145ad764e01b80f6a0f54ad17772024-12-27T14:31:36ZengMDPI AGInventions2411-51342024-12-019612410.3390/inventions9060124Development of a Low-Cost Automated Injection Molding Device for Sustainable Plastic Recycling and Circular Economy ApplicationsAnanta Sinchai0Kunthorn Boonyang1Thanakorn Simmala2College of Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, ThailandCollege of Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, ThailandCollege of Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, ThailandIn response to the critical demand for innovative solutions to tackle plastic pollution, this research presents a low-cost, fully automated plastic injection molding system designed to convert waste into sustainable products. Constructed entirely from repurposed materials, the apparatus focuses on processing high-density polyethylene (HDPE) efficiently without hydraulic components, thereby enhancing eco-friendliness and accessibility. Performance evaluations identified an optimal molding temperature of 200 °C, yielding consistent products with a minimal weight deviation of 4.17%. The key operational parameters included a motor speed of 525 RPM, a gear ratio of 1:30, and an inverter frequency of 105 Hz. Further tests showed that processing temperatures of 210 °C and 220 °C, with injection times of 15 to 35 s, yielded optimal surface finish and complete filling. The surface finish, assessed through image intensity variation, had a low coefficient of variation (≤5%), while computer vision evaluation confirmed the full filling of all specimens in this range. A laser-based overflow detection system has minimized material waste, proving effective in small-scale, community recycling. This study underscores the potential of low-cost automated systems to advance the practices of circular economies and enhance localized plastic waste management. Future research will focus on automation, temperature precision, material adaptability, and emissions management.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5134/9/6/124plastic recyclinginjection moldingcircular economyresource recoverysustainable productionHDPE recycling |
| spellingShingle | Ananta Sinchai Kunthorn Boonyang Thanakorn Simmala Development of a Low-Cost Automated Injection Molding Device for Sustainable Plastic Recycling and Circular Economy Applications Inventions plastic recycling injection molding circular economy resource recovery sustainable production HDPE recycling |
| title | Development of a Low-Cost Automated Injection Molding Device for Sustainable Plastic Recycling and Circular Economy Applications |
| title_full | Development of a Low-Cost Automated Injection Molding Device for Sustainable Plastic Recycling and Circular Economy Applications |
| title_fullStr | Development of a Low-Cost Automated Injection Molding Device for Sustainable Plastic Recycling and Circular Economy Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of a Low-Cost Automated Injection Molding Device for Sustainable Plastic Recycling and Circular Economy Applications |
| title_short | Development of a Low-Cost Automated Injection Molding Device for Sustainable Plastic Recycling and Circular Economy Applications |
| title_sort | development of a low cost automated injection molding device for sustainable plastic recycling and circular economy applications |
| topic | plastic recycling injection molding circular economy resource recovery sustainable production HDPE recycling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5134/9/6/124 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT anantasinchai developmentofalowcostautomatedinjectionmoldingdeviceforsustainableplasticrecyclingandcirculareconomyapplications AT kunthornboonyang developmentofalowcostautomatedinjectionmoldingdeviceforsustainableplasticrecyclingandcirculareconomyapplications AT thanakornsimmala developmentofalowcostautomatedinjectionmoldingdeviceforsustainableplasticrecyclingandcirculareconomyapplications |