Naomi Wu, from Shenzen, who's made many 3D-printed wearables, says that 3D printing masks doesn't work. Not flexible enough and can't get a good air seal.[1]

Face shields for medical workers, though - those 3D print just fine.

[1] https://twitter.com/RealSexyCyborg

More info here: https://copper3d.com/hackthepandemic/

They suggest heating it up (to soften the plastic) and pressing it against your face to ensure a good fit. Seems unlikely that this would actually result in a perfect fit, but at least it's better than nothing.

Also, the claim that it's an "open-source" mask is somewhat soured by the fact that they appear to have patented it.

The straps will greatly aid a good fit once it's generally shaped for an individual's face. Also, a patent prevents others from profiting from making this and selling it, if they decided to enforce it, which would be unlikely unless it was egregious.

>Also, the claim that it's an "open-source" mask is somewhat soured by the fact that they appear to have patented it.

The article did not say that the mask itself was patented. They may have patented a small component (probably the copper voodoo stuff which may or may not actually work) and are giving people freedom to print the mask, patented component included, in the time of crisis.

It's ethical business dealing. You get to save lives and make a buck off the IP later. Win/win.

I saw that. Open source and patented? These folks don’t seem to understand open source. It’s perfectly possible to patent something and then release all rights to it.... but why?

>It’s perfectly possible to patent something and then release all rights to it.... but why?

Perhaps to prevent another company filing the patent and trolling it.

I realize this is a best effort kind of thing so maybe these questions aren't in the scope but:

1. Is the intention that the mask be disinfected after wearing it?

2. In assembly instruction #5, it says "If you use a filter...". Why would someone use this without a filter?

3. Is there an advantage to this over buying a cartridge type construction mask?

Unless it degraded the material, I'd disinfect anything that would be touching my face with rubbing alcohol.

A filter would be better.

I've not worn construction masks, but military style gas masks are absolute misery after a couple of hours because of the weight and the one-size-fits-all approach. A custom fit (because of the thermoplastic deformability) should make something this light weight far more comfortable for hours of use.

I could print some of these, but where would I get the circular inserts?

Also it would be great if this could be modified to be broken down into smaller pieces, as it stands I don’t think it would fit on most home 3D printer beds.

Make your own from packing organic fibers or using smaller amounts of n95 material.

To let air pass the filter easier, bigger surface is encouraged - bigger area, for the same pressure difference less flow per unit area. Why not to have two circular filters, on each side of the mask?

I was tried to get this filament, it is not available in USA anywhere.

It says it’s printed in PLA? That’s the most common kind of filament.

They recommend using their "Copper3D PLACTIVE AN1 - Antibacterial PLA Filament"

https://shop3duniverse.com/products/copper3d-plactive-an1-an...

Normal PLA not working, you have to get some very specific and rare PLA.

Honestly, this looks like profiteering in a crisis to help sell their filters as this doesn’t accept the industry standard sized filters made by 3M, et al.

The article says it is printed with a layer height of 2.5mm. There's no way it would work at such a high height. They probably meant .25mm.

How was it tested?

I'd bet that it wasn't. This looks like a company trying to sell their filament. The idea (FDM printing masks) seems like a bad one on so many levels.