DIY 3D printed respirator

thingiverse

In the current pandemic situation where wearing a mask has become an essential part of daily life, disposable masks pose another threat in addition to plastic pollution. Cloth masks are not always comfortable, air leaks from several places, and washing and drying them is an extra burden. To address these concerns, a rugged respirator has been designed and built using 3D printing technology and household items. This respirator is an open-source project that anyone can download and make. It features dual inlet filters with one-way valves that channel filtered air and prevent exhaled air from filling up space inside the inlet filter assembly. The exhaled air is directed out of the respirator by a one-way valve through the exhaust port only, ensuring more comfort for prolonged usage due to increased air circulation and lesser residual volume of air inside the respirator. Several layers of customizable filter material can be used and easily replaced. Weighing at only ~80 grams, this respirator is also easy to dismantle and sanitize. Background: PETG (Polyethylene terephthalate glycol) 3D printing filament has been used to make the parts of the filter assembly. PET is the same plastic used to make water bottles and cold drinks but ends up as waste while some are recycled. PETG is a slightly modified PET with added glycol for adaptation to 3D printers, preferred over commonly used material PLA (polyactic acid) due to its higher melting point and ease of 3D printing. The mask body is made of HDPE (high-density polyethene) plastic as it is soft and has a slippery smooth surface that makes it easy to sanitize compared to 3D printed parts. HDPE is one of the most abundantly used plastics in our daily life, which also ends up as waste. However, it is not easily 3D printed due to its tendency to deform at temperature variations. Other materials required are: Filter material (as desired or cut out from an N95 type mask), Cycle tube for making straps, Valves, Shampoo bottle or any bottle of HDPE material for making the mask body (download the template for mask body PDF file for cutting out pieces for the mask body), Double-sided tape, foam for comfort and air sealing.