3D Printable masks and shields helping from COVID-19

Posted on April 2, 2020 Updated on April 2, 2020

3D Printable masks and shields helping from COVID-19

We can use some parts from other materials and some parts 3D printed. The combination will give us the best results.

According to To Billings Clinic Foundation, “bolster the limited supply of PPE masks, Billings Clinic Neurosurgeon, Dusty Richardson, MD, in collaboration with Billings-area dentist Spencer Zaugg, DDS and his son Colton, have tapped into their ingenuity to create durable, reusable plastic masks using 3D printer technology.”

As stated in this article, incredible need inspired Dr. Dusty Richardson, Dr. Spencer Zaugg, and Colton Zaugg to create the Montana Mask, a 3D-printable, high-efficiency filtration mask that can be fitted to the provider’s face and sanitized between uses. This trio created the Montana Mask for one reason – to help. It’s permanently free for anyone to produce. Join this urgent worldwide effort to help protect those caring for the sick in your community.

KPAX-TV,  Surgeons in Billings who typically would use a new mask for every procedure have been asked to use just one mask a day so that they don’t eventually run out completely.

From some useful comments,
fastlandnet
1 day ago
3d printed mask are not safe because micro-pores and micro-gaps beetween pllastic layers. Such micro-gaps are some hundreds of micron but coronavirus is only 0,125 micron
Evan M
5 days ago
SUGGESTION FOR NURSES. IF————

IF YOU ARE RUNNING OUT OF N95”S. START USING A CPAP MASK THAT HAS A COTTON FILTER STUFFED IN THE AIR INTAKE OF THE MASK. THESE MASKS ARE VERY DURABLE AND HAVE AN AIR TIGHT FIT TO THE FACE. — THEY CAN ALSO BE WASHED AND SANITIZED AT NIGHT WITH SOAP AND WATER.

THIS WOULD BE FAR SUPERIOR TO A STANDARD MASK.

ALSO – IF YOU WANTED YOUR COULD USE CPAP TUBING THAT CONNECTS TO THE MASK, TO HAVE AN “ELEPHANT TRUNK” THAT HANGS MUCH LOWER THAN YOU UP CLOSE WORK.

ALL OF THIS CAN BE DEDICATED TO EACH NURSE. AS THE FACE CUSHION CAN BE REPLACED. I HAVE USED THESE MASKS FOR 6 YEARS, THEY ARE VERY COMFORTABLE.

PASS THIS ON — PASS THIS ON — PASS THIS ON

IT MAY SAVE A NURSE!!!!!
Fred Cole
1 week ago
Thank you for emphasizing the masks were a “better than nothing” substitute.

Scythe
3 days ago (edited)
The reusable shopping bags are the same material on the front of surgical and n95 mask. You can use a hepa vacuum bag not sure if hepa is the best but get a cloth bag that filters 99.9% of dust down to 0.3 microns or use a air vent filter with the number 1900 and is purple and says it filter out virus at least for 3M air vent filters.

Jeana Marie
1 day ago
Joann Fabrics is giving out kits for making masks. Once they’re made, you can bring them back to Joann and they will then distribute the masks to medical centers and hospitals in need. Call your local Joann Fabrics to see if they are participating in this program.

elysegail
1 day ago (edited)
This looks like a great mask and I have sewn in my earlier days. I have lots of material from my sister who left material pieces for quilting and I’d like to try, but where is the pattern? I only see him sewing pieces together. All the best to you and thank you and be well and stay safe!!

T. Gunderson
4 days ago
Just a thought. I know of some nurses that have been told to reuse the N95. so they are using the handmade mask to cover a new N95 to keep the N95 clean to reduce the chances of infecting them selves when they take it off and on. Then sending the handmade down to be stabilized for the next day or shift. I hope this helps in some small way or at the least gives you another idea. God bless and stay safe.

Kisen Liang
2 days ago
18 layers gauze mask is the bare minimum as an ad hoc last resort, considering that 12l gauze mask was used during 2003 Sars outbreak.

Xristy Zentner
1 week ago
I sent disposable rain panchos to my daughters surgery center to serve as gowns. I think I paid $2 each on ebay. They are perfect.

That Yarney Zebra & Stuff
1 week ago
Oh wow…I have been making these for the past 2.5 years for my own personal use as I have Hypogammaglobulinemia. Basically, I make NO immunoglobulin and wear my masks in public areas. I only leave my home for medical appointments or to walk my dog. I also use twist ties or pipe cleaners depending on the availability of each of these supplies. To keep the mask off my nose and mouth (I have asthma and feel the fabric is hindering my breathing) by inserting a zip tie in a small channel in the very center of the mask. It works amazing for me.

Momma Rausch
4 days ago
In Gainsville FL, nurses have been using the surgical fabric that is used under tools in surgery. It is 99% non permeable and we have a group that is promoting use of that fabric as opposed to cotton for homemade masks. For sewing groups in our MN area we are supplying the fabric to keep our front line workers safer. Anyone can buy the fabric, resources are on the site. I have linked to your downloadable pattern and video because they are the best I have seen! Thank you! maskarmy4heroes.weebly.com. Spread the word!

Louise Hidinger
1 week ago (edited)
I was curious and did a bit of research on the HEPA vacuum bags that was used for the filter material, and was unpleasantly surprised to find that some have a non-stick coating, which means perfluorinated alkyl hydrocarbons (PFAs for short). PFAs are non-biodegradeable, bioaccumulative, and are linked to numerous health problems in humans. Most vacuum bag manufacturers don’t say whether or not they have a non-stick coating, but I noticed several HEPA air filter brands (i.e. the filters that go in the stand-alone air purifying machines) that mention having a non-stick coating. As a chemist, I would be seriously wary of having to breathe through a fibrous, non-woven textile coated in PFAs, especially something that was never meant for PPE/medical use. To be on the safe sid.

Brian C Fortin
6 days ago
Glad press and seal, use it around the mask, boom, instant seal.

3D Universe, “Do you have a 3D printer and want to help out with the coronavirus pandemic? Our medical workers need your help! There is a critical shortage of PPE (personal protective equipment) like masks and face shields.

In this video, I’ll show you two promising designs you can work on producing with your 3D printer to help those on the front lines, fighting the coronavirus and trying to keep the rest of us healthy.

I recommend printing the mask body in a flexible material like TPU and the filter insert in a non-flexible material like PLA. I also recommend adjusting the mask scaling a bit. Use non-uniform scaling and scale it up to 130% in the Z axis and scale it to 99% in the X and Y axes. This makes it so the mask extends out a bit further, so your mouth doesn’t touch the filter insert, and the slightly smaller X and Y scaling makes it so the filter insert fits more snugly.

Barbara Dos
4 days ago
It was shared with me that the product called Halyard H600 2 ply spun polypropylene is being made into masks with the support of the University of Florida. Dr. Bruce Spears a professor for anesthesiology the U of F College of Medicine recommeded the use of this product based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. He stated that the masks are 4% more effective than the N95. This information is on the University of Florida website. I am a University of Iowa RN and have a BSN. I have been sewing many years also.

elysegail
1 day ago (edited)
This looks like a great mask and I have sewn in my earlier days. I have lots of material from my sister who left material pieces for quilting and I’d like to try, but where is the pattern? I only see him sewing pieces together. All the best to you and thank you and be well and stay safe!!

T. Gunderson
4 days ago
Just a thought. I know of some nurses that have been told to reuse the N95. so they are using the handmade mask to cover a new N95 to keep the N95 clean to reduce the chances of infecting them selves when they take it off and on. Then sending the handmade down to be stabilized for the next day or shift. I hope this helps in some small way or at the least gives you another idea. God bless and stay safe.

Jennifer Dios
23 hours ago
Does it have to be hair ties? I have 1/4″ Elastic. is it due to more comfort perhaps with a rounded hair tie? I know they can put it on themselves but for my own knowledge, I wanted to find out more info. Thanks!

michael cull
5 days ago
Hi brill video, not a printer myself living on a boat does not allow for a level bed. Take this design a step further instead of the filter print it blank but add a 3/4 inch hole either side or print onto it a boss to attach easyflex hose, which in turn goes over the shoulders or drops downwards and around to the back of the wearer. At the back print a holder for a HEPA filter as found on most cyclone type vacuum cleaners, this will need a boss as per face mask and put hose into it, all held in place by a belt. 3M have a non disposable FFP3 face mask they claim would last a user through a pandemic, its filter only has about half the surface area of say a Dyson 4 inch (approx) HEPA filter. Brilliant I am not, I wish, but inspired in my thinking after watching Medics in South Korea dressed up in their version of full PPE If any one does this as we sometimes say in the UK “good on you” Stay safe keep well.

Clayton Windham
19 hours ago
Look in the first aid isle at Walmart for nexcare waterproof tape. It makes a great seal and is nice in the skin. I have been doubling up. It makes a nice overhang inside the mask that really helps with the fit and seal. If I could share a pic I would post one.

Greg Seljestad
4 days ago
Thanks for the information. The problem with the mask is that once you put in Merv 13 filter element it really creates suction which is very wearing to the user. Need two to three times the area to make it more comparable to a N95 mask. Good tips.

Chris La Pointe
2 days ago
Hi! Just wanted to say thanks for making this video. I am stuck at home and am wondering how I can help out my community. I dont have a 3d printer but I have a lot of time on my hands and would like to help my local hospital. Do you know what kind of 3d printer I could buy to start helping out? Is there any how to video you could point me to so I can learn everything I need to do from purchasing the printer, materials needed, things like that? Thanks very much and great job being part of the solution and not part of the problem. Cheers.

Laura Piccirillo
6 days ago
Thanks for posting. I was on full board ready to print Copper 3d today (printer arriving today), but glad to know this design is easier. Seems to be a small design width wise which is great in terms of buying a printer due to it’s build area. Do you know the minimum build area it would take to make this design? Would it fit on a 200 x 200 build area for example? Talk soon!

John Munro
6 days ago
I have created a gasket for a design just like this. I use silicon 1 caulk and soap/glycerine. This allows the caulk to be used as a putty for a period of time during cure. Once it hits the right consistency, you can mold it to the edge and press it to your face (holding your breath). Forms a perfect airtight seal.

David Gauntt
4 days ago
A big caveat to this: the corona virus that causes COVID-19 is much, much smaller than a bacterium. This might filter out some of the larger respiratory droplets containing COVID19, but is no replacement for an N95. Filter. However, if anyone gets a supply of N95 filters, please, please donate them to a medical center that needs them. The doctors and nurses dealing with COVID19 patients continually have much higher need for personal pr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Print a mask, work with your community, and help save lives during COVID-19.

Billings Clinic Foundation