3D Printing Using Beer and Coffee Is Now Possible

From:FoodProcessing

(Photo : Getty Images)

Beer and coffee are staples in the global human diet. They hold a special place in our lives and this is not likely to change anytime soon. However, just like any kind of manufacturing process, their production ends up with waste products.

A US 3D-printing company called 3dom aims to reduce all that waste by offering filament made from barley, hops, and other eco-friendly waste materials, The Next Web reported.

3dom's beer filament is called Buzzed. Its organic components make the visible grain inconsistent in color but this feature is also what makes it interesting. From Quarks to Quasars described the filament as a quirky material reminiscent of wood.

Buzzed is compatible with any machine that works with polyactic acid (PLA). It has been tested on many of today's 3D printers like those offered by MakerBot, LulzBot, FlashForge, and others, with no problems.

The other filament offered by 3dom is, as you guessed, made from coffee. It is called Wound Up. This filament has a rich brown color and has one characteristic that many will find welcome: the grain smells like a fresh cup of coffee. In fact, the company says, "a cup printed with Wound Up is a true 'coffee cup'".

Buzzed retails for $49.95 per kilo. It prints well at 180-210 degrees Celsius but the company advises to start at a point 10 degrees cooler than typical PLA. Wound Up is a bit cheaper with a starting price of $26.

3dom's commitment to sustainable development is obvious. They partnered with C2Renew to provide the innovative materials of Buzzed and Wound Up. C2Renew is a biocomposite company that researches on materials deemed unusable and turns them into something actually usable.

What other waste materials can be used as 3D printer filament? Share this article if you have some ideas of your own!

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