Study of accuracy and precision in extrusion process of 3D printer filament employing oil palm empty fruit bunches particles reinforced polypropylene and high-density polyethylene biocomposite

Biocomposite filament is potentially an alternative substitute for material in 3D printer filaments. The processing of polypropylene (PP) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic waste and Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB) waste in Indonesia, especially West Kalimantan, remains insignificant. Still, these wastes hold a great potential to be utilized. In this study, the employment of PP and HDPE plastic waste was manufactured for 3D printer filament. The plastic waste filament is then injected with micro-scale OPEFB particles as reinforced material to get the biocomposite filament from the waste material. An extrusion technique was performed to make filament biocomposite by blending the chopped plastic waste with OPEFB particles under ASTM E11-13 standard. The temperature of the extrusion process of biocomposite filaments is in the range of 165-180 and 160-175 degrees Celsius for PP and HDPE plastic, respectively. The results of this experiment were carried out using an extruder assembled with a nozzle size of 1.5 mm. Biocomposite filaments that have been produced were measured in diameter to determine the accuracy and precision of filament production from extruders. The final analysis concluded that an accuracy rate could achieve 93.5% with a precision rate of 92.5% of the extrusion process on 3D printer filament production. This material can potentially impact the world of additive manufacturing technology and signifies expected to become an innovative solution to sustainable production in the industrial sector and even among the community. It theoretically supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) policies, optimizing 3R (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle) and circular economy.