A team of researchers at Canada’s Western University has developed open-source software that enables the production of color-matched 3D printing filaments from recycled plastic. The application, called SpecOptiBlend, is intended to address a previously unsolved challenge. The often inadequate color accuracy when recycling plastic waste for 3D printing.
The software tool is aimed in particular at users of so-called recyclebots – open devices that process plastic waste into filament. As part of the DRAM concept (Distributed Recycling and Additive Manufacturing), SpecOptiBlend supports the decentralized production of individual products with local material recycling. This not only reduces waste, but also material purchasing costs.
For color matching, the software analyzes the reflected light spectrum of the recycled material. The underlying calculation is based on the Kubelka-Munk theory of color mixing. Three optimization methods are then used: Nelder-Mead, L-BFGS-B and SQP. The researchers evaluated the methods based on deviations in the color space (ΔE CIE-2000) and the root mean square error (RMS). In the test, the Nelder-Mead method showed the best balance between precision and computational effort.
The project provides a further building block for implementing the circular economy in the field of additive manufacturing. By combining color theory, programming and open machine architecture, customized filaments can be produced with reused materials.
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