Creating tools and experimenting with processes to upcycle various plastics.

Dreamspace Collective: Jerushan Sritharan, Jathujan Mahendran, Sajeev Punithakaran, Gabishka Mohanalingam, Kiritharan Mahendran.

Trash For Trade: Abitharani Jeyachandran, Jayanthan Amalanathan.

With help & inspiration from fellow Dinasaurs Andy Quitmeyer, Michael Ang, and William Kennedy at Dinacon 2022

See also: Bendy the plastic heat bender, built by Brian Huang

Guides:

• How-to: Build a hydraulic press
• How-to: Upcycle plastics into sheets for laser cutting & more
• Zine: How to use the hydraulic press to upcycle acrylic

Documentation:

• Building Acryl-Squish, a DIY hydraulic press
• Turning scrap plastic into new sheets
• Laser cutting and forming plastics
• Side projects: Teaching engineering drawing, Bike cue sheets, and a (failed) shade structure

References:

• DinaLab’s Acrylic Upcycling Instructable

How-to: Build a hydraulic press

This press was built specifically for pressing heated acrylic scrap together for acrylic upcycling. The design was based around the materials at hand; it’s a modification of pre-existing designs like this one by petercd and this from Precious Plastics.

Safety precautions: This build involves creating a strong frame that can withstand up to 16,000 pounds of force, which can be very dangerous if improperly built. Welding and working with metal also requires appropriate safety knowledge and gear.

Safety:

• Safety goggles