Doc: Faculty of Engineering
The Mechanical Engineering Study Program at the Faculty of Engineering (FT) Universitas Tarumanagara (Untar) has once again achieved remarkable success through an innovative recycling tool designed to address PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic bottle waste. This tool is capable of converting used plastic bottles into a high-value product: filament for 3D printing.
This innovation was developed by Hagai (515210019), an outstanding student of FT Untar, under the guidance of Didi Widya Utama, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., and Ir. Agus Halim, S.T., M.T., at the Mechatronics Laboratory of the Mechanical Engineering Program at Untar. The device won first place in the UNTAR Faculty of Engineering Student Scientific Paper Competition and was later further developed as a final project in the odd semester of 2024/2025.
This idea stemmed from Hagai’s concern about the large amount of plastic bottle waste that is difficult to decompose, motivating him to create a recycling solution that produces economically valuable products, such as filament for 3D printers.
The plastic bottle waste processing machine into 3D filament created by Hagai / Doc: Untar Public Relations – DP
Hagai explained that 3D printer filament is the primary raw material in the process of printing various objects using a 3D printer. The device is designed utilizing a heating element, stepper motors, and an Arduino-based control system to ensure a filament diameter consistency of 1.75 mm with a tolerance of ±0.05 mm.
The filament manufacturing process includes several stages, such as:
1. Smoothing the surface of the plastic bottle using air pressure.
2. Precision cutting with a consistent width of 10 mm.
3. Heating at a temperature of 240°C to produce the filament.
4. Winding the filament at a speed of 0.8 rpm.
The resulting filament has semi-transparent characteristics with a glossy surface, making it competitively marketable.
Hagai and his creation / Doc: Untar Public Relations – DP
This research also supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
• Goal 13: Climate Action.
• Goal 15: Life on Land.
This innovation in the PET plastic bottle waste processing tool not only holds academic and innovative value but also makes a real contribution to sustainable waste management.
This success reflects the quality of education and mentorship at Universitas Tarumanagara, which prepares students to compete at both national and global levels. With relevant skills and innovation, Untar graduates are expected to face the challenges of the global industry while making a positive impact on society and the environment. (VA/AJ/YS/VC)