Project number
26509
Organization
Engineering Design Center
Offering
ENGR498-S2026-F2026
Project Description:
University makerspaces such as the Engineering Design Center (EDC) and CATalyst Studios generate significant volumes of plastic waste from 3D printing activities, particularly polylactic acid (PLA). A previous Engineering Design Day team successfully designed and fabricated a desktop-scale PLA shredder that met all functional, electrical, safety, and performance requirements, demonstrating meaningful volume reduction while operating safely within makerspace constraints.
This follow-on project, Plastic Shredder Version 2, builds directly on that success and focuses on miniaturization, robustness, and intelligent operation. While the original system validated feasibility, its overall size, blade geometry, and manual jam recovery limit long-term usability and scalability. Version 2 aims to produce a smaller, more compact, and more capable shredder that can safely process a wider range of plastic geometries and densities while incorporating smart safety and automation features.
The project will align with and contribute back to the global Precious Plastic open-source community, adapting proven shredder concepts to meet academic makerspace constraints, U.S. electrical standards, and institutional safety expectations.
Project Objectives:
The objective of this project is to design, prototype, and validate a compact smart plastic shredder optimized for academic makerspaces, with improvements in size, safety, reliability, and automation over the original system. The design will emphasize testability, maintainability, and open-source replication.
Scope of Work:
Mechanical Design
Redesign blade geometry to prevent rolling of cylindrical objects and improve engagement with denser prints.
Reduce overall system footprint relative to Version 1 to improve mobility and spatial efficiency.
Design for serviceability with standardized and replaceable wear components.
Electrical and Control Systems
Integrate sensing methods for jam detection using current, torque, or speed monitoring.
Implement automatic motor reversal or controlled shutdown behavior.
Maintain compliance with standard makerspace electrical safety practices.
Safety and Environmental Controls
Retain guarded feed systems and interlocked access panels.
Integrate optional vacuum-assisted debris capture for improved operator safety.
Mitigate noise through mechanical isolation and enclosure design.
Documentation and Open-Source Release
Provide CAD models, electrical schematics, firmware, and bill of materials.
Include assembly, operation, and maintenance documentation.
Document design rationale suitable for public release and community contribution.
University makerspaces such as the Engineering Design Center (EDC) and CATalyst Studios generate significant volumes of plastic waste from 3D printing activities, particularly polylactic acid (PLA). A previous Engineering Design Day team successfully designed and fabricated a desktop-scale PLA shredder that met all functional, electrical, safety, and performance requirements, demonstrating meaningful volume reduction while operating safely within makerspace constraints.
This follow-on project, Plastic Shredder Version 2, builds directly on that success and focuses on miniaturization, robustness, and intelligent operation. While the original system validated feasibility, its overall size, blade geometry, and manual jam recovery limit long-term usability and scalability. Version 2 aims to produce a smaller, more compact, and more capable shredder that can safely process a wider range of plastic geometries and densities while incorporating smart safety and automation features.
The project will align with and contribute back to the global Precious Plastic open-source community, adapting proven shredder concepts to meet academic makerspace constraints, U.S. electrical standards, and institutional safety expectations.
Project Objectives:
The objective of this project is to design, prototype, and validate a compact smart plastic shredder optimized for academic makerspaces, with improvements in size, safety, reliability, and automation over the original system. The design will emphasize testability, maintainability, and open-source replication.
Scope of Work:
Mechanical Design
Redesign blade geometry to prevent rolling of cylindrical objects and improve engagement with denser prints.
Reduce overall system footprint relative to Version 1 to improve mobility and spatial efficiency.
Design for serviceability with standardized and replaceable wear components.
Electrical and Control Systems
Integrate sensing methods for jam detection using current, torque, or speed monitoring.
Implement automatic motor reversal or controlled shutdown behavior.
Maintain compliance with standard makerspace electrical safety practices.
Safety and Environmental Controls
Retain guarded feed systems and interlocked access panels.
Integrate optional vacuum-assisted debris capture for improved operator safety.
Mitigate noise through mechanical isolation and enclosure design.
Documentation and Open-Source Release
Provide CAD models, electrical schematics, firmware, and bill of materials.
Include assembly, operation, and maintenance documentation.
Document design rationale suitable for public release and community contribution.