Solar Plastic Injection

RESEARCH

OTHER MACHINE

INJECTION

MELTING

Difficulty:

Medium
Time Required:

< 1 week
Views:
561
Creator:
plastok
Country:
Switzerland
Email:
Website: plastok.ch
Downloads:
0

Today, volks.eco and PlastOK present a method to inject plastic parts using solar and human power. This approach aims to expand the concept of using plastic waste globally. Remember to protect yourself from the sun.

Browse Files

Prepare the setup
Load the cartridge
Heating the Cartridge
Screw cartridge & mold
Inject manually
Extract the injected part
Recap

1

Prepare the setup
You will need:
- Volks.eco solar concentrator
- Hydraulic jack press
- Plumbing pipe cartridge
- Shredded HDPE
- Injection mold
- Cup of water
- Oven gloves
- Clamp
Locate a sunny area and preheat the solar tube concentrator.
2

Load the cartridge

Insert shredded plastic into the iron cartridge.

Compress the necessary plastic based on your part's volume within the cartridge.

Secure the plumbing pipe with ½ inch (1.27 cm) cap ends.

Place the cartridge inside the solar concentrator.
3

Heating the Cartridge

Allow 30 to 60 minutes depending on sunlight exposure. Multiple iron cartridges can be loaded in the solar concentrator to expedite the process. Monitor the cartridge temperature with a probe placed inside the heated tube. The concentrator can reach temperatures between 356°F and 482°F (180°C and 250°C). This method offers extensive learning opportunities.
4

Screw cartridge & mold

The cartridge will be very hot; use gloves.

Remove the two cap ends from the hot cartridge.

Submerge one end of the tube in the cup of water.

By doing this, a solid plastic piece will form and push the melted plastic into the mold.

Note: Preheating the mold above 140°F (60°C) enhances the finish. This can be achieved by placing the mold in a solar concentrator for a few minutes.
5

Inject manually

Inject the plastic into the mold as quickly as possible for best results.

We will provide instructions on constructing a portable hydraulic jack press in the future.
6

Extract the injected part

Ensure the mold is cooled before removing the injected part; submerge in cold water if necessary.

You now have a completed part produced using manual and solar energy.

The mold requires mechanical enhancements for extraction as it is merely a prototype for this concept.
7

Recap

This video outlines the complete process and expected duration of each step, with room for improvement.

The solar concentrator operates without electricity.

It can be set up anywhere (beach, mountain, city) in any season, requiring only sunlight.

For more information, visit volks.eco and contact Marco.

Marco has extensive experience with this solar concentrator, which has various applications.

Explore its potential for solar energy applications.

Thank you, Marco.