Machines
Our machines are the core of what we do in Precious Plastic Monash.
Integration Unit
Dave Hakken’s original design for the machines had them within a 40 foot shipping container. At Precious Plastic Monash we use these machines in our demonstrations and workshops, so the machines needed to be easily transportable. The integration unit was born out of this need for community engagement. Each of the machines are placed together on a 1x1 metre shipping pallet. When the integration unit is completely setup, it takes up a 3x3 metre footprint. It has storage for tools and moulds and has 3 screens used for live demonstrations.
Shredder
The shredder is designed to take raw plastic material and break it down to small plastic pellets. These pellets are then used in the other machines to be melted and reformed. Since our goal for the machines is to engage and educate, safety was on the forefront of the re-designs. A larger hopper was added so children can use the shredder safely, as well as a lid to keep bouncing plastic from striking people. Perspex was used on the front of the shredder so the shredding can be visible for the public.
Injector
The injector is designed to take the plastic confetti made by the shredder and melt it in a vertical pipe. A plunger mechanism is then used to force the melted plastic into a mould attached to the nozzle of the pipe. This machine is similar to Dave Hakkens’s but by adding a few features, we managed to increase the safety of the system significantly. Mesh guards were added to protect the user from the heat clamps and new handles were added to make it easier for everyone to use.
Extruder
Like the injector, the extruder works in a similar way of heating the shredded plastic within a pipe. However, instead of using a plunger mechanism, a compression screw is used to feed the plastic through the pipe, melting and mixing along the way. Again, the main changes made to the original design were done to increase safety. A hinged grate was added in order to protect the user from the heat clamps and a hopper was made to stop overflow.
Compressor
The final machine on our integration unit is the compressor. the compressor is an oven which has two movable plates that are used to compress moulds together to create a hollow object. The main differences from the original design are that the jack is now positioned at the top of the oven to fit the machine on the unit. An easy-to-use old recycled car steering wheel has also been added.
