How It Is Made: 3D Printing Filament

Tons of pictures and more info : makezine.com/2015/02/11/how-it...
Find more at the Maker Shed: makershed.com
Getting Started with 3D Printing: www.makershed.com/products/ma...
We visited Makergeeks.com where 3d printer filament is being made. You can see the process in action in this video.

[@GoGreenMan]

I really enjoyed that "interview". I felt like he was "real" and not just talking. Thank you

[@DanMurray6696]

Having worked in a plastic extrusion factory, I can tell you he is not exaggerating at all. Plastic is a fickle thing when being extruded. Humid that day? It's gonna stick to the machinery. Then there are the static shocks you receive working with the raw plastic. On many occasions I was shocked so bad it made my hand turn white where it hit me. :P Long story short, this is definitely a get what you give process, and I admire the dedication to the craft. Thanks guys!!

[@travisturner6761]

Rule of thumb, if you can see the spark from the static shock, it is at least 10,000 V.

[@elfpimp1]

Dan Murray youch

[@joefromravenna]

Omg, yes. I was working in production before taking my design position and the static shot right from the tank through my boot into my foot.

[@dragonslyer74]

I worked in the plastic roto-molding industry and have to say its not that diffent. Everything he was say still holds true.

[@AshishPatel-vu3nw]

How can buy extruder machine?

[@jseneque]

I appreciate the openness, transparency and passion this guy displayed for the science that goes into every step of this process. Thank you. I really enjoyed watching this and learnt alot. I originally was trying to find if there was a way to recycle wasted prints at home but after seeing this, it may be out of my league.

[@cyberjunky529]

this man realy love what he do

[@daniel_s]

I dont know but hey do you see this 5 kg spools ? WTF are they?!?!?!? I WANT SOME :D

[@georgetown2180]

@@daniel_s me too

[@jamathonsmith58]

really*

[@neousagi]

I don't comprehend why there seems to be so much hostility towards this video. I quite enjoyed knowing that plastic filament synthesis is not a precise science yet. It tells me that there still is a lot to learn about making things, especially in the area of plastic extrusion. Thanks for sharing this.

[@AllThingsMachines]

It’s because he has a horrible BBB rating for taking people’s money and not delivering.. this video made me order from him BUT NEVER AGAIN.

[@pixiechick4367]

man this blew my mind!!out of hundreds of filament tutorials i finally understand just from watching this!came here on advice from 3d printing food safety which is so informative.i really appreciate the truthfulness of both tutorials.very very enlightening.

[@Mickice]

Wow, dude is incredible, his personality sold me on the filament.

[@jackmuchukot7201]

Wow, this is so cool the way things are made is so neat.

[@TWFDeadzoneII]

This man's passion for plastic and 3D printings inspiring. I'm sure he's made a ton of breakthroughs from 2015 to current day.

[@TheWizechatmgr]

Joshua - thanks on behalf of your customers for getting the information out there and spending the time. I haven't had a bad print yet that was related to Makergeeks filament. I have however had several small issues that were me on the human end....

[@jasonkeogh8488]

I love this guy! trying to build my own home extruder primarily for pla. this simple little video has to be the most informative thing i have found on the subject. very useful for me as i am trying to decide on an extruder to filament roll design!

[@st_us]

He sounds like he knows exactly what's going on in there!

[@Hobypyrocom]

nah, he just prays allot thats it :)

[@sagesends]

Hobypyrocom What?

[@Hobypyrocom]

Sage Moore go to 4:20 and listen

[@Tudor4398]

Hobypyrocom :))

[@georgetown2180]

Yes

[@LuckyPataky]

Thank you so much for all the information and for explaining the process so well.

[@wektor1972]

here is the man who works in his heart. Does he see what feels very much like his own job. Thank you for feeling.

[@DieselRamcharger]

I can identify with this guy! Man he has the passion! Wish you all the best!

[@bald_engineer]

Thanks for sharing the information. You gained a new customer today.

[@willofthemaker]

Very cool video and shows how much they care about the quality of their filaments

[@RayMAKES]

great video of a scaled down industrial process... love it!

[@klawndyke]

What i really like is manufacturing is coming back to the states .... well done

[@isaaccool3183]

klawndyke Canada could do it better

[@davidswe98]

china already does it better

[@rcflyer2k]

@@davidswe98 China does nothing better except they do steel intellectual property better, and make it poorly.

[@Veikra]

that guy is inspiring. He likes his stuff and communicates well

[@josephschmoberg6778]

Great video, wish there were more guys like him !

[@brocktechnology]

I find the water fascinating. The feedstock as to be thoroughly dried for the process to work correctly. We end-users often wind up storing the finished product in dry boxes so our process works correctly. But during manufacture the filament runs through 20 feet of water troughs. I find that reasonably hilarious.

[@Ab0minati0n]

Fantastic video and great work Mate. There is nothing more satisfying than working out the voodoo behind a process and making it work, and work well.

[@panther105]

This was pretty fascinating. And bravo for any company trying to bring manufacturing power back to our own country

[@mattmakes2135]

I respect this guy, he trusty seems to love his job and he’s passionate about what he does.

[@mrf4549]

"It's an odd thing to Google this because there is this void of information" Even 7 years later this is still true. I have been researching how to do this off and on for quite some time. No one really explains on a step by step bases what to do. "It truly is an art form" Everyone has their own methods and techniques and I am enjoying piecing it all together. From 2022, Thank you for this video.

[@Akshay-cj3hq]

Are you learning just out of curiosity?

[@mrf4549]

@@Akshay-cj3hq Yes, I would like to make my own filament eventually.

[@udbackup7497]

Simple and precise explanation.

[@shanesimino7852]

Really great stuff! Thanks so much for the video!

[@UbiquitousTech]

Hi. First and foremost, thank you for providing this astonishing informative introduction. I have found that the "maker" movement entails many disciplines. You have provided some enlightening details with this podcast.

[@SuzhouACCMachineCoLtd]

[e-mail], we make this machine

[@JuniorAlthleticsUSA]

Good job Sir! I hope your company is blessed and prospers.

[@11danzizzle11]

Nice to see a little behind the scenes of this process on a large scale, as opposed to home filament making.

[@paul_revere]

make is the only company i have ever got any of my Filament from. 5***** i fully support Make . never have issues at all

[@lsellclumanetsolarenergyll5071]

Very nice.... we are starting to enter that production market as well in Florida.

[@VinceTibo]

This is an amazing video, thanks for sharing!

[@Bartlomiej_Ciernioch]

I know exactly what you mean. I'm working in a company that produces 3d printing filament and I'm a main operator there. Sometimes 2-3 degree Celsius more or less can make the difference.

[@rodrigorea2782]

Good morning, friend, I saw that you work in a company that produces 3D filaments, I have an indistrial extruder that I am adapting to start producing here in Brazil, but I have a lot of difficulties in cooling where it always gets oval. Can you help me ? Could you give me some contact so we can talk better? Thank you very much

[@craftrunner]

Great video, I must get some of that filament, yes it is an art form to get it right, good on you.

[@bjmgraphics617]

I just ordered my Robo 3D printer on Amazon and I can't wait to use some great filament on a great machine.

[@AaronLow1]

"It's odd when you google this- because it's just this void of information!" *Been in that same situation with my unconventional projects*

[@dmyt58]

well the thing is people are looking at the wrong place. If you would search plastic extrusion everything you need to know is right there about this.

[@georgetown2180]

@@dmyt58 this video is 5 years old, and this comment is 4 years old. They probably didn't have that information back then.

[@dmyt58]

@@georgetown2180 this information wasnt invented in the last 4 years. I have a 15 year old course explaining extrusion. A lot of videos about this topic are more then 5 years old.

[@georgetown2180]

@@dmyt58 They probably weren't able to find it easily is what I meant.

[@dmyt58]

@@georgetown2180 well thats why I gave some information on how to search for it so they would find more of it.

[@AnAngryStorm]

I live in Springfield Missouri!!! Cool!! I'll have to come take a tour!

[@user-md4cw3bd7s]

Love your vibe.

[@andrewglagau8685]

Now that's where I would buy my filament from.Very well presented on how it all works.I'm building a 3D printer at the moment and would love to get more info' on shipping to Australia maybe first some samples.

[@EgoSumSineNomine]

I love his personality I wish I could be more like him.

[@bgauweiler]

Great to see a US based company with passion for their product...!

[@mulderdyla]

I enjoyed the vid. Even the digression into how it was a challenge to put together. If there was a bit of product marketing in it, im cool with it. Ive had to source locally after finding a couple china suppliers had a bit of impurities in thier spools. True white wasnt true white. Locally costs 5 times the price but 5 times less hassle and 10 times better quality. I can appreciate the effort put in to making high quality filament. Its noticeable. All the best.

[@brianbrewster6532]

You're gonna be a zillionaire! 3D printing is a huge cottage industry. I learned a tremendous amount watching your highly informative video. Thanks.

[@fuba44]

Awesome video! Can't wait to read your detailed step by step "how to" blog post you of course are gonna write about this... to fill the information void on this subject i mean.

[@------country-boy-------]

*this is such a great video thank you so much for making it*

[@plasticextruder66]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5WqZn-Me657sKs

[@thomasdr08]

I really like this guy. Hopefully I can buy filament from them.

[@BenHammy]

I'm glad I found this because they have a sale right now and im getting 2 spools of their filament and I didn't know if they are good.

[@JMANCANADIAN]

I think this is great! I always try to buy made in Canada or USA when I can!!

[@Uncle_Buzz]

THANK YOU for bringing work back home from China.

[@joshuawesterfield6635]

I have no experience with their filaments but I tried to buy a printer from them a while back and they could never deliver. After a month and a half of waiting I finally canceled my purchase. They did refund my money immediately so thats a plus. Ended up going with a Flashforge Creator Original purchased on Amazon. Im glad I did because its fantastic.

[@m2autoworks]

I am going to do my best to support this business and get as much as i can from him. He seems to care.

[@Mineshboy16]

I love your work..

[@dancingkash]

With me being a Woman and wanting to make everything myself This was very helpful Thank you

[@THEcucufate]

Wow. I could see how fun that must've been for you to put together. You really do a good job at explaining concisely how specific the different layers of the process have to be. I was actually doing a search to see if there was a small scale version of making your own filament but thanks to your great explaining I can see it is way too many components,.time, trial and error, and financial investment, to do in a home type of setup. I'd like to purchase filament from you though. Now that I've seen how passionate and attentive to quality you are, I don't think I want t9 order Chinese spools. Hahaha

[@aftergglife]

Love y’all filaments amazing stuff just wish they would make a home version to Recycled old prints

[@Retroweld]

Great video.

[@Agarico]

I live in springfield MO!! I would love to come take a tour of this facility

[@davemontague2638]

Good Video man!

[@Sinlatown]

I respect him cuz he knows and believe whats he exactly doing..

[@xaytana]

Springfield, MO? I'm close to there, I wonder if they're ever hiring, or ever planning to expand into more types of filaments, or ever wanting to expand outside of filaments.

[@Riztech101]

Makergeek is a very good company. It has high quality filament and low price.

[@shawnstrode3825]

Great to see you making the product locally. There are Technical colleges that not only give you data, but are good at trouble shooting. One thing you may run into is screw design and speed. When adding ferrous material, the friction will tear the bond. Also a vacuum in your primary water tank will control ovality and concitricity issues.

[@SuzhouACCMachineCoLtd]

we make this 3D filament machine, email:[e-mail]

[@julianshallerhorn1941]

That's very interesting, I have been extruding filament for years mainly Solvay materials(PEEK,PPSU,PAEK and have never thought about using my vacuum.

[@davidbutcher6637]

Cool vid, wonder what the actual machine cost ended up being to make reliable filament production thanks David NZ

[@FunDumb]

I appreciate this.

[@stefanocorinaldesi1356]

Hi, do you produce PLA filament with mineral filler?

[@nikitasonev1427]

How do they control the speed and temperature. Is it going automatically or manually? Also, is it possible to manage speed of the tractor automaticaly depending on width of the filament?

[@Fudmottin]

Very cool. What's your brand name so I can order your filament on Amazon? I ordered some clear "natural" filament on Amazon. I don't recall if it was PLA or ABS (I'm hoping for more choices). My hope is to make clear models. Not optical quality mind you. For light covers (LED lighting). Will I be disappointed? If so, I do I go about producing custom Acrylic or Polycarbonate (preferred) parts?

[@stevenjones2371]

i always use esun whats a awesome way to buy your filament

[@AndreChampoux]

Thanks for making this video and so awesome for you to have this outside of China and to have figured it out. More companies need to do that.

[@JustinJJHCS1]

Just getting a small Filastruder to reuse my failed prints and 3mm filament went from 3mm to 1.75mm less breaks and less problems with hotend breakdown/cooking filament...

[@DrMrSuperAwesomeGuy]

It's honestly some of the best filament I've ever used.

[@supext]

+DrMrSuperAwesomeGuy Which brand is it?

[@DrMrSuperAwesomeGuy]

maker filament, from makergeeks. Keep it dry with a desiccant though, it gets soft with moisture from the air over time.

[@supext]

Thanks

[@BoyanSilyavski]

So they have to dry it after cooling with water.

[@tahubulatgurihz]

i like this quote : making filament is constant battle

[@ianbuterbaugh8507]

Anyone know what temperature is needed for forming PLA from the individual beads into the filament? And where I can cite this temperature from for a school project?

[@juanfranciscorizzato9701]

Great video! Can you tell me what kind of color pigment is that? Can you share an ebay link?Thanks!!

[@gsagga]

very inspirational

[@salvadortinogelilang4080]

Hoping to know what are those temperature set data is ^_^

[@trinitydrones9030]

Hi. What is the brand of your filament ? Do you have an outlet in South Africa ? Thanks

[@Alluvian567]

This is why I chuckle so much at all those desktop diy filament extruders that you see 1 or 2 videos on and then they vanish. None of them realize how important the cooling is after you extrude, it or have any clue how to properly pull it out.

[@katkins0909]

Love it...

[@mzaproduction]

lot's of people on here are just talking, he on the other hand has invested in it and is making it... so shut up about how you'd buy it from china, and at least respect the man for what he did... I thoroughly enjoyed this piece... well done maker... and I would pay him to be a consultant if I ever get around to building me a little filament factory... Think of all the experimentation you could make if you had a set-up like this...

[@arf3433]

This is the kind of work I dream of doing😁

[@Gauravkumar92]

What temperature it takes to keep the filament on same diameter?

[@skylane1829]

You have a new customer coming soon. Thanks for the video and information. Where is your website?

[@eavaharris3519]

KeeneVillagePlastics.com

[@JB.Rochwol]

What brand and model is that extruder?

[@wVicRattlehead]

"It's odd when you google this- because it's just this void of information!" I´m working developing in a composite filament for medical implants, it is hard that you don´t find any information about but you feel great with any advance in the project

[@engineerlolo-olorodeatanle1388]

Hello, can I contact you? About your project if you want. Am also developing way to make filaments. Thanks

[@ChristopherJones16]

after watching a youtubers videos of his homemade filament maker I can see he had to watch this video because he made a scaled down version of this thing... only difference was he had one water bath instead of two.. so im guessing he just used slightly below room temp water and not warm, or cold. His channel is "diy chen". Probably the best diy filament maker setup ive seen.. ive seen other more simplified ones but theyre more small scale. diy chen's uses a hopper and pellets whereas everyone elses uses a shredded bottle pushed right into a hot end heated block.

[@Danimonterorodriguez]

Does 3D printing filament reacts with monomer? Is there one that doesn't?

[@theaddict3101]

I’m from Springfield anyway to buy filament from you guys in person? Save a hassle on shipping

[@sickvic3909]

What type of parts do you print?

[@UbiquitousTech]

A question for on the topic of mixed filament parts. How do metallic parts such as wire work in the filament manufacturing-extrusion process? I am not a material scientist or chemical engineer, but I can imagine that either metallic parts fuzing in the batch mixers to the resins. I could also see bonding the resin on a wire that is extruded in the resin-extrusion process. Do either of these approaches have merit?

[@SuzhouACCMachineCoLtd]

[e-mail], we make this machine

[@RoboTekno]

Great video, although I thought this was an actual "How It's Made" episode, haha.

[@JohnDoe-gm5qr]

+RoboTekno You need a few bad puns for that. In this episode there are a few strings attached.

[@tzkelley]

Love it! Another U.S. company brining it back home.

[@TheWireEDM]

Sounds more like americans not wanting to do international trade. Don't then complain when your prices skyrocket or somethings are just not available as americans can't do them or will not purchase overseas. Or better yet, don't wonder when international customers disappear - why buy from americans, when they don't buy from others.

[@tzkelley]

We've had more than enough cheap junk coming from Asia and elsewhere. we're ready for something different.

[@TheWireEDM]

Then don't buy junk, it is that simple. It doesn't matter a dick where it is produced as long as it isn't junk.

[@tzkelley]

Good. If it doesn't matter to you, I'll choose to by things made in my own country first.

[@sokratistsipis442]

In 2:47 what is the material of this pink roller?

[@joemulkerins5250]

Yeah, its like injection moulding operator needs to know the machine, but extrusion is about knowing the material on the fly. Its like another art form when it comes down to doing it.

[@venansondo7726]

Hi guys, we have developed a bioplastic mix from cassava which rots in 1 week under normal composting conditions. Now we are thinking of prototyping by producing pellets and eventually 3D Filaments to test it out. Any ideas on how we could go about this in Ghana? You feedback will be much appreciated. Cheers Venan

[@danieljia5452]

Hello I'm Daniel from Nanjing GS-Mach, So glad to know you. We have produce the machine line from 2013, I believe we can give you a good feeling. R e:3D printer filament extruder machine We have GSD20 lab extruder machine ,capacity is 1-2kg/h;GSD35 extruder machine ,capacity is 8-15kg/h;GSD45 extruder machine ,capacity is 15-30kg/h;GSD65 extruder machine ,capacity is 30-50kg/h. Our machine can produce 1.75-3.0mm diameter, and tolerance is +/-0.03mm, the machine also can produce different shapes. Re: twin screw extruder pelletizing machine GS-20 testing machine: output:5-15kg/h GS-35 15-55Kg/h Gs-50. 155-255Kg/h Gs-65. 255-400Kg/h GS-75. 450-750kg/h If you interested, pls contact me , I will send the machine video to you. Looking forward your reply. Best Regards PM:[phone] What' s app:[phone] Email:[e-mail]

[@joetke]

Congratulations

[@ElGatoLoco698]

This guy could make some serious money if he started marketing, assembling, and servicing these machines here in the states. He's got the knowledge no one else has.

[@JohnDoe-gm5qr]

+ElGatoLoco698 Well, not many people do anyhow. Ever use a weedwacker? Weedwacker string is really nylon filament and it wouldn't surprise me if it was made in the same factories and even with the same machines but different settings.

[@steven5456]

Which manufacturer did you buy the machine from? would you suggest it?

[@MyBrothersMario]

www.makergeeks.com/ it's $24.55 for a 1KG spool

[@patagonXL1]

steven5456 asked for manufacturer of the machine not the price of 1kg spool

[@SuzhouACCMachineCoLtd]

[e-mail], we make this machine

[@selectedgemotorcycle]

@@SuzhouACCMachineCoLtd please email me at [e-mail]