Inserting Recycled Plastic into a Vending Machine Produces 3D Printed Smartphone Cases

A lot of innovations have already been made for the past few years, and new technologies continually rise. All of these are happening because of people with great and creative minds.

If there is one thing that people do not oppose, it would be recycling. As a matter of fact, it is considered to be a very good thing. However, not all people do not recycle, and this might be because it would require too much work and effort. Perhaps more people would recycle products if only it is as easy as buying products. Great minds from a small town in Sicily have thought a very great idea. These Italian students have built a vending machine that contains 3D printed smartphone covers, which are made from recycled materials.

The students involved in this breakthrough project are Toni Taormina, Vittorio Maggiore, Vincenzo Virruso, Daniele Caputo and Marco Tomasello along with their teacher Daniela Russo. MyProGeneration is the name of the project and currently, it is a vending machine prototype. The aim of this project is to inspire the people, especially today’s generation to be conscious about the trash around. There are many things that can be recycled such as plastics. Because of this, the team has come up with an easy and achievable solution at recycling that would show the difference it makes in the environment. Since the concept is very different compared to other inventions, they were actually able to win the AXA Italy’s Social Impact Award just last month. The students are happy and more motivated to work because of the popularity of the machine they made.

You may be one of the interested people in this very amazing work. This vending machine has included several desktop 3D printing equipment that are stored inside its body. If you have empty plastic bottles, they can be inserted into a particular slot, and with the use of a grinding unit, they will be grinded down into pellets. Afterwards, these will be melted and used by a 3D printer. The said 3D printer has already been pre-programmed to produce a variety of smartphone cases. If you can just imagine the entire process, you will realize how amazing this entire creation is.

Aside from cleaning your own home, inserting plastic bottles actually allow you to have a smartphone case, by just pressing a button. You do not have to spend some cash; the recyclable plastic has replaced money in this case. If you want to try using this vending machine, you should be able to collect as many bottles as you can and own a new case.

If you think that you have to wait for hours in order to produce a single smartphone cover, it may actually not be the case. It is presumed that these covers are already ready-made. Nevertheless, the whole concept is really brilliant and well thought of.

Currently, the whole concept is still being improved. Students have shared that 4 distinct prototypes are working and they are negotiating with manufacturers and distributors to make this a reality. Sooner or later, they wish to allow the users to customize these covers with a photo.