Design and construction of a prototype of a PET plastic bottle recycling machine

Abstract

For the recycling and reuse of PET plastic bottles, it is developed through a process called crushing, this activity allows reducing the volume that the bottles occupy in the recyclers, in addition to facilitating their transportation. The design of the plastic bottle recycling machine prototype is based on the shear cutting activity performed by the blades with a rotation of 10 rpm. The objective of the research pursues the design and construction of an ergonomic machine prototype that is easy to maintain, as well as economically accessible for its construction. Consequently, typical mechanical properties of plastic bottles were analyzed in the cutting process, in order to select a suitable cutting process for crushing. Process that is achieved by the force of a 3 Hp engine and a chain drive. Additionally, it seeks to give a usability option to the machine by incorporating an extruder, which at a temperature of 20 ° C to 30 ° C presents excellent operability. At the end of the extruder, a PET plastic-based material is obtained that can be used in different shapes, coatings or for shaping fibers. The research becomes a sustainable and feasible alternative for the medium and small industry that is happy to offer products based on recycled material such as plastic bottles.