Sustainable Manufacturing of Intelligent Connectors: Optimizing Recycled Polymeric Compositions for Smart Technology and Robotics

This study promotes the utilization of sustainable recycled materials to develop polymeric compounds for intelligent connections in robotics and smart technologies. The environmental impact and mechanical performance of plastic composites made from virgin plastic and recycled material from two products, both containing Liquid Crystalline Polymers (LCPs), were evaluated using plastic injection engineering techniques. The objective was to identify an optimal formulation that balances environmental benefits with mechanical effectiveness. The investigation focused on the effects of incorporating recycled runners into the injection molding process, with particular attention to notched Izod impact strength and shrinkage ratio. A D-optimal design model revealed that incorporating 5% of recycled Runner 1 and 20% of recycled Runner 2 significantly enhanced impact strength while maintaining an acceptable shrinkage ratio compared to virgin plastic. Key design considerations, such as product impact zones and mold gravity alignment, were integrated into the development process. The study demonstrates that recycled runners can match the performance of virgin materials, supporting the adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices.