UIC-2019-110 – Cassette 3D Filament Splicer

Additive manufacturing has changed the way rapid prototyping is performed by engineers with the creation of affordable, effective, and easy to use 3-D printers. University makerspaces utilize 3-D printers to provide engineering students with a means for prototyping their designs. One unresolved issue in 3D printing: how to reduce the waste from the last portion of filament materials from the filament spools—often 10% of the materials are tossed as unusable feedstock. UIC inventors have developed a device that allows the user of a 3D printing systems to splice different filament materials and colors together—eliminating all filament waste! A heating element is mounted to the frame of the device; the aluminum die is set into a Delrin case. The heating block heats (220°C), melts and bonds the two pieces of filament together. Mark Krivchenia krivchen@otm.uic.edu (312) 996-6626