Products made from marine litter

Guide Overview

This guide focuses on the creation of two products using panels made from polypropylene plastic and recovered fishing nets:

• Urban Bench
• Dumbbells

For information on creating panels with a sheet press, refer to the detailed guide titled "Boards Made from Marine Litter."

This guide will primarily address the detailed process of product creation and manufacturing.

We typically use CAD and 3D modeling software such as Solidworks and Rhinoceros for 3D modeling, and AutoCAD and Illustrator for defining 2D cutting lines for CNC machining.

With a predefined design, we proceed to machine the material using a CNC cutting machine.

Tips

Aim to maximize material usage and manage cutting space efficiently to minimize waste.

Plastic boards are generally softer than wood, allowing for single-stroke cuts with wood-compatible drills, optimizing production time and achieving a cleaner finish. Always perform an initial test.

Collected shavings can be reused as raw material in a sheet press or extrusion machine.

Begin assembly of the bench and its structure once the parts are cut.

For urban furniture, a metal framework provides stability and durability.

Tips

To connect plastic elements to the metal structure, use galvanized or stainless steel screws and nuts. Although stainless steel is more costly than galvanized, it offers superior resistance to oxidation.

When attaching plastic parts, pre-drill holes the size of the screw to prevent breaking or deforming due to excessive pressure.

To create dumbbell weights (circular sections), the same marine litter boards used for the bench are CNC machined. Handles are crafted from a colorful mix of recycled plastic bottle caps. An extrusion machine produces plastic rods up to 9.84 feet (3 meters) in varying shapes and thicknesses, either rounded or square.

To assemble the pieces, use stainless steel screws. First, select a drill bit matching the screw size; for instance, use a 3mm (0.12 inches) drill for 4mm (0.16 inches) screws.

Tip

For assembling various plastic parts, torx head screws are recommended for enhanced product security and difficulty in disassembly.