3D Printed Face Mask (Light Duty)

grabcad

With face masks in short supply due to COVID-19, it is difficult to find even light duty face masks for yardwork, woodworking, etc.Inspired by an air duct transition component, this concept uses 3D printing to create a face mask frame that can use many materials as a filter depending on the needs of the user. Examples of filter materials include t-shirts, home air filter (shown here), or breathable Tyvek.The Frame and optional Lid are designed to print with no support material. The T-shaped base perimeter has 2 purposes:1) Acts as a "brim" to hold the part during 3D printing2) Allows for attachment of a soft material (split tubing shown here) that touches the faceThe square corners makes it easier to fold the filter material neatly without wrinkling and the rectangular shape maximizes surface area for breathability. The Lid is optional and the filter material can simply be taped onto the mask.Parts made using filament and sintered printers are not watertight and would need to be sealed for more rigorous applications. Photopolymer printers can be watertight and I have included a large frame (140mm wide) that could be printed on the popular Formlabs printer.