Guimarães, AndréMessias, SamuelLopes, JoãoSalgueiro, JoséGaspar, Daniel2026-02-272026-02-272026Guimarães, A.; Messias, S.; Lopes, J.; et al. Development of a Polymer Filament Extruder: Recycling 3D Printer Waste. Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing 2026, 2(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.53941/jmem.2026.100001http://hdl.handle.net/10400.19/9718This article presents the development of a polymer filament extruder to recycle waste from 3D printing. As additive manufacturing grows within Industry 4.0, managing thermoplastic waste like PLA, ABS, and PET has become a key challenge. The proposed modular system includes a shredder, an extrusion unit, and a winding module to produce high-quality filaments with precise dimensions (1.75 ± 0.03 mm), ensuring compatibility with 3D printers. Aligned with circular economy principles, the system promotes material reuse and reduces environmental impact. Results confirm its technical and environmental feasibility, with potential for large-scale use. Future improvements may include recycling other polymers and using smart sensors and algorithms to optimize the process.engadditive manufacturingpolymer filament extrusioncircular economy in 3D printingrecyclingPLA recyclingsustainable materials engineeringresearch article2026-02-12cv-prod-428608810.53941/jmem.2026.100001