It's been a little while since I last posted here. I just wanted to mention, working on a 3D printed mask design using MoI 3D. It's currently only a prototype, I welcome and appreciate any and all feedback to improve it. I posted a video last night here: https://youtu.be/as4zqVMv4OQ The current prototype as well as the MoI 3d project may be found in the download here: http://wagnerstechtalk.com/corona/#Mask_Download

Ideas for Improvement :
1. Better way to secure the filter caps (screw-in or equivalent)
2. Better form around the nose area.
3. Eliminate the need for supports somehow.
4. Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any input/assistance! -Jon

Hi Jon,
I have a "tip" for your filter connection area.

Make a "middleman" connection piece as a seperate piece. This way, you can utilizes all the different filters alreafy made also.

So your mask has some type of connection, with a seperate piece, that may be made with any number of secondary connection types and sizes, per whats available.

So my 3m niosh mask has a 1/4 turn connection mechanism (kindof common, but size?)
You could just print the little adapter connection to make ypur mask compatable...

Hope that makes sense.

Hi Jon,

Making 3D printed parts that screw together is certainly possible, but getting high tolerance threads with an air tight seal is probably not practical with a hobby 3D printer.

I use a lot of 8-32" (~4mm) threaded brass heat inserts in my 3D print projects to join pieces. You just need to have a proper stepped hole in the model, and press the brass insert in with a hot soldering iron.

You could print a short, capped tube with air slots to hold the filter material, with an integral 4-bolt mounting flange at the base of the tube. Add 4 threaded brass heat inserts to the mask to accept the flange and machine screws. I visualize it looking like a tiny speaker grill with 4 mounting holes.

For an even better seal, make a round recess on the bottom of the flange to hold a rubber O-ring.

Ed Ferguson

Very cool idea! I honestly didn't understand at first until I looked up the 3m niosh mask you mentioned. It might be something that can be done rather easily once the filter bases are threaded or have twist locks of some type. Then maybe a single larger adapter for each side that fits different filters. That is a great idea and very much appreciated!

Great points Ed! What if there are no gaps beyond where the filter is applied, the locking mechanism may not matter as much as long as it pushes down and hold the filter material in place. But I could be wrong. Perhaps a cap design that folds the filter material over some other raised material might work?

Hi,
I have been looking on youtube at 3d printed mask's and downloaded one with a clip in filter.
I thought it might be better to clamp the filter so here is my prototype.
The idea is to trap the filter material into the groove on the mask face.
The clamp as a matching male shape of the groove and also acts as a locator.
The Mask as a M3 Hex Screw inserted and glued that is used to compress the filter material.
I will add an 'O' ring around the screw to seal around hole in filter.
The filter is larger than the clamp thus the return shown on photo.
The silicon tube will be slit so it can clip over the mask rim.
Will print one in the next day or so.
Any ideas welcome
Cheers
Barry

Hello everybody,
here are some (interesting) links regarding 3D print face mask:

https://www.ciirc.cvut.cz/covid-2/
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/25626-modular-face-mask
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/26938-modular-face-mask-more-hepa-filters-upgrade
https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=breathing+mask&dwh=505e704c4d091d0&type=things&sort=relevant
https://grabcad.com/library?page=1&time=all_time&sort=recent&query=filter%20face%20mask

Peace of mind
Mik

Hi Barry,

That looks AWESOME! I would definitely like to test print it here when you're ready. At the time I started, I didn't find much out there. However, now there a number of designs available over the past week which is great. Jon

Thanks Mik, some of these I hadn't seen before. Much appreciated!