THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING USING AGATA'S WASTES

Abstract

This paper presents a technique used to obtain raw material for three-dimensional (3D) printing from agate's manufacturing wastes. Through the use of appropriate methodology for grinding and classification of waste it was possible to obtain powder with a particle size indicated to the process, approximately 200 mesh, and serves as the basis for the raw material that uses maltodextrin and sugar as a solid binder. Saturation testing and manufacturing of 48 specimens, which were subjected to dimensional analysis and mechanical strength were performed. The test specimens made with 14% liquid saturation, the average strength observed was 5.84 MPa and the dimensional deviation was between 0.2 and 1.2 mm. It was observed that this saturation rate was adequate for manufacture of small parts and with the wall thickness of 5 to 10 mm, with low surface detail. The results presented here serve as a basis for improvement of raw material for development, especially for the finishing of parts, reliability and reproduction of small details and the size of the fabricated parts. The work presents the process of 3D printing as an alternative to the reuse of wastes and adding value to the material before rejected and could not be passed otherwise. Keywords: Three-dimensional printing, gems, development of raw material.