Creative3DP, founded by Priyank Pal, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for ExtrudeX, a desktop machine designed to turn failed prints into filament by recycling 3D print waste and filament scraps. The system addresses the accumulation of plastic waste from unsuccessful prints, prototype iterations, support structures, and obsolete test models that typically end in landfills. Unlike commercial filament recyclers such as Filabot that require significant investment, ExtrudeX offers a 3D-printable solution with non-printable components estimated to cost between $180 and $250.
The campaign runs until 1st January 2026, providing backers with digital resources to build their own machines rather than shipping physical products. This approach enables global accessibility whilst eliminating shipping costs and delivery delays, with all resources delivered immediately after campaign completion in January 2026.
Turn Failed Prints into Filament
The ExtrudeX operates through a systematic process beginning with material preparation. Users collect waste plastic, break it into smaller pieces, and mix it with virgin plastic pellets before introducing the mixture into the machine’s top hopper. Creative3DP recommends a blend ratio of 60% virgin plastic pellets and 40% recycled material from failed or obsolete prints, enabling substantial material reuse whilst maintaining filament quality.
A single DC gear motor drives the main screw inside a metal barrel, pushing the material mixture through the heated extrusion system. Band heaters and a basic PID temperature controller manage thermal conditions, with users setting temperatures appropriate for specific plastic formulations. The molten material extrudes through a nozzle, forming filament that cools and hardens as it emerges.
Once filament exits the nozzle, users guide it to the puller mechanism at the opposite end of the machine, initiating automatic operation. A motorized wheel set grabs the cooled filament and continues pulling whilst a cooling fan blows across the material, ensuring consistent diameter and preventing warping. An optional digital dial gauge can be positioned before the puller to monitor filament diameter during production, enabling quality control throughout the process.
The frame, covers, and filament puller components are all 3D-printable, whilst standard bearings, power supplies, and other off-the-shelf accessories complete the assembly. This modular approach enables makers to source components locally whilst printing structural elements on their existing 3D printers.
Kickstarter Campaign Offers Build Resources and Commercial Licensing
The crowdfunding campaign takes an unconventional approach by providing comprehensive build resources rather than manufactured products. Backers receive STL files for all 3D-printable components, detailed lists of required non-printable parts with recommended purchasing links, email support throughout the build process, and video assembly guides designed to simplify setup.
Reward tiers begin at $49 for ExtrudeX files exclusively, whilst $69 provides access to both ExtrudeX and PETFusion 2.0 resources. PETFusion 2.0 represents an alternative system designed to process empty PET plastic bottles into filament, though detailed specifications for this older model remain limited in the campaign materials.
For entrepreneurs interested in manufacturing and reselling the machines commercially, the “ExtrudeX + PETFusion 2.0 with CL” tier adds commercial licensing for an additional $60. This option enables third-party production and distribution whilst compensating the original designer.
Environmental and Economic Considerations for Makers
The ExtrudeX addresses both environmental concerns and economic considerations within the 3D printing community. Failed prints, support structures removed from successful builds, and test models such as retraction cubes or benchmarks typically represent unavoidable waste in the printing workflow. Whilst 3D printing plastic waste represents a small fraction compared to packaging materials and food containers, reducing waste provides tangible benefits for high-volume users.
For makers conducting extensive printing operations, filament recycling could yield measurable cost savings. The ability to incorporate 40% recycled material into new filament production reduces virgin material consumption whilst maintaining acceptable print quality. The recommended mixing ratio balances material properties with recycling efficiency, ensuring extruded filament meets dimensional and mechanical requirements for subsequent printing.
The campaign materials include examples of objects printed using ExtrudeX-produced recycled filament, demonstrating practical viability of the approach. Print quality naturally varies based on source material consistency, mixing ratios, and processing parameters, with results dependent on user attention to process control.
Technical Implementation and Build Requirements
The machine’s technical architecture centres on proven extrusion principles adapted for desktop-scale operation. The DC gear motor provides sufficient torque to drive the screw mechanism through viscous molten plastic, whilst the metal barrel withstands continuous thermal cycling during extended production runs. Band heaters enable efficient thermal transfer to the barrel, with PID temperature control maintaining stable processing conditions.
The cooling system proves critical to dimensional consistency. As extruded filament emerges from the nozzle, rapid cooling prevents diameter variations whilst the pulling mechanism maintains appropriate tension. This balanced approach produces filament suitable for standard FDM 3D printer hotends without requiring diameter compensation beyond typical slicer settings.
Standard bearings support rotating components, ensuring smooth operation throughout extended production sessions. The power supply must provide adequate current for both the motor and heating elements, with specifications dependent on thermal requirements for specific plastic types. Off-the-shelf accessories complete the electrical and mechanical systems, enabling builders to source components from local suppliers or online retailers.
The 3D-printable frame provides structural rigidity whilst covers protect internal components from debris and accidental contact. The filament puller’s printed construction demonstrates the machine’s self-replicating potential, with users able to produce replacement parts using their existing printers.
Campaign Structure and Resource Delivery
The digital-first approach eliminates traditional crowdfunding risks associated with manufacturing delays, quality control challenges, and international shipping complexities. Backers receive proven designs immediately upon campaign completion, enabling immediate project commencement without waiting for container ships or customs clearance.
Email support provides troubleshooting assistance throughout the build process, addressing component sourcing questions, assembly challenges, and operational optimization. Video guides complement written documentation, offering visual instruction for complex assembly steps and adjustment procedures.
The campaign runs through early January 2026, providing potential backers several weeks to evaluate the opportunity and commit to building their own filament recycling systems.
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