Make your own custom Montana Mask with pleated filter!

thingiverse

If you are unsure which files to download read the READ ME.txt This design aims to enable a maker to 3D print their own custom-fit reusable face mask. In this post, in addition to print files. There is a guided video showing how you can make a face mask that is shaped to your face. Using free software and open-source plugins you can create your own custom face mask model in under 20 minutes. This project involves the use of multiple open source projects: 3D WASP, Facebuilder, and The Montana Mask. 3D WASP has developed an open-source add-on for blender that adapts a mask from a face model. Facebuilder allows the user to create a 3D model of their face from photos. Putting the two programs together, WASP and FaceBuilder, and then used on the free software Blender you can create your custom mask. This is the easiest method I found and is what lead me to create a guide on how to do it, so any person can do it. More info on the add-ons used and the Montana Mask https://keentools.io/facebuilder https://www.3dwasp.com/en/3d-printed-mask-from-3d-scanning/ https://www.makethemasks.com/about-the-mask My addition: The pleated filter design for the Montana Mask. I created a pleated filter that provided more surface area for filtering out particles, thus being more efficient and effective. The CDC has issued guidance that homemade face coverings would provide an initial barrier to aerosolize droplets. Further, the use of a face mask acts as a deterrent to touching ones face. This recommendation is intended to help preserve proper masks which are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare. We would also like to emphasise that they should never be used in place of proper hand hygiene and social distancing guidelines. CDC recommendations to homemade face coverings: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html Choosing filter: I used an old mask and cut a 2.5 x 3.5-inch piece to then attach to the pleated filter. The Montana mask is designed to make 6 filters out of N95 masks. I would advise you to find a different alternative, reserving the proper masks for medical personal. It is recommended that you use the best filter that is available to you, but even the lower quality filters should at least offer some protection to the people around you. Many household items can be used as filters. Here is a link about the best homemade materials to use as a filter: https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-diy-coronavirus-homemade-mask-material-covid/ Make sure to check the filter you use does not have fiberglass in it! Disinfecting considerations: The CDC recommends disinfecting homemade face masks regularly depending on use. Soap and other liquid detergents have proven to be quite effective at inactivating all kinds of viruses, particularly with the long exposure times and agitation. The difficulty in finding disinfecting methods for N95 respirators lies in attempting to preserve the function of the filtration element. Immersion in liquid disinfectants and detergents that would compromise the N95 filter but this is not a concern with homemade masks, which can be soaked through and washed much more thoroughly without damaging the mask or appreciably reducing its effectiveness. There are multiple ways to you can disinfect the mask. The first thing is to remember to wash your hands before and after handling a used mask. Before you disinfect the mask you need to remove and dispose of the filter. For a more effective disinfection, you need to ensure that the solution reaches 100 % of the surface. One option is to do a bleach solution, (bleach and water). To do this safely it is important you have the ratio right. It takes very little bleach and the proper soaking time. If you are unsure of the proper ratio of if this is safe then I do not recommend you use this method. According to scientific data from China, 56 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes is enough to neutralize COVID-19. Allowing for a safety margin you would place the mask in a preheated oven at 65 degrees for 35 minutes. Standard disinfectant wipes may also be effective based on findings by Make The Masks. There were concerns that PLA could be porous and therefore wouldn’t make a suitable mask material. Make The Masks conducted a set of tests to better understand how porosity effects the potential for microbe growth levels on the mask After a full day of usage by a Nurse. The swab of the mask found only standard bacteria from the skin and after cleaning with hospital grade bleach wipe and with Sani-wipe there was no bacteria growth. These results suggest there are no concerns for the porosity of PLA for this mask (We make no guarantees this information is accurate and advise you to use at your own risk.) You can find the original publication here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e79449be223500c15da852f/t/5e8f8adbcd68a6285b7b89f9/1586465500549/SANITIZATION+TESTS+PDF.pdf You can also improve the overall efficiency of the mask by improving the cover/face mask seal; by using a similar adhesive/sealing. There are many options you could use, I would recommend a weather seal or gasket. There is also the option to shape the mask slightly after printing using hot water. Place the face end of the mask in water that is 60 - 70 degrees celsius for a few moments and then remove and dry completely before pressing onto your face (Repeat until happy). Remember to be extremely careful when dealing with hot water. Do not put hot plastic on your face. Please remember this is a research open-source project and I highly encourage you to remix this prototype design and create your variations. I look forward to seeing your remixes! DISCLAIMER: This is an Open Source RESEARCH project and we realize and admit fully, that this is a prototype, and should be considered as such. The information presented here is intended to assist the general public during the current global pandemic related to COVID-19 and the related nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment and is not intended to replace standard protective equipment such as N-95 masks or surgical masks. The use of these 3D printed masks has not been fully tested and has not been approved by any authorities so we make no representations or guarantees regarding the safety, efficacy, or appropriate use of these masks in any particular situation. The use of this information for any purpose is at the maker’s and the user’s own risk