Group MT0A-1 – Max Cube™

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is significantly less wasteful than traditional subtractive manufacturing methods, but a typical 3D printer still produces 25 kilograms of plastic waste annually, and research shows that 70% of users do not recycle their waste. To address this issue, the team behind Max Cube™ developed a dual-shaft grinder and four-bladed pelletizer capable of rapidly processing 3D print waste, namely PLA plastic, into flakes and pellets with a characteristic size between 3 and 5 millimeters. The grinder and pelletizer are two entirely separate components, keeping in mind modularity and ease of transport. The main feature that differentiates Max Cube™ from other products is its ability to sort recycled 3D print waste into four separate storage bins. The user can select from one of four buttons on the control panel to direct the funnel to output grinded flakes into the appropriate bin, thereby allowing the user to separate the grinder's output by color, filament type, or in any other manner desired. Max Cube™ prides itself on maximizing the throughput rate of finished material and producing consistently sized and sorted flakes and pellets. Its ability to do so while maintaining a low cost per-unit, due largely to the device's wooden frames being relatively cheap and easy to manufacture, empowers 3D print labs to put their waste to good use efficiently and reliably.