DIY Mask brace / fitter using 6242Y SOLID core twin and earth

thingiverse

Formable and stiff DIY mask brace / fitter / seal. To aid DIY mask brace solutions in countries where commercial mask brace offerings have less availability. Uses 2.5mm (area) SOLID 3 cores twin and earth pvc sheathed mains cable. 6242Y spec. See image for cable selection guide. This concept evolved from a combination of: Use of SOLID core Twin & earth mains cable, as a source of readily available, formable copper mask nose wire replacements for users of reusable washable masks. Badger seal mask fitter concept. https://making.engr.wisc.edu/mask-fitter/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CSZrCUAm3g The idea was to simplify the Badger seal fitter down to non engineering supplies components. So that anyone around the world can make a conforming mask brace, using common readily available household wiring & DIY materials. MATERIALS: 1 x length of 2.5mm SOLID core twin and earth mains wire with PVC sheath. Multi strand wire will not work, SOLID core wire can be bent to form and retain its shape. PVC sheathed wire can be sterilised with alcohol or disinfectant. 4 x 200mm elastic bands. Readily available and can be found labelled as ‘trash can’ elastic bands. If only shorter elastic bands are available, they can be tied using knots in a daisy chain arrangement. 2 x zip ties TOOLS: Pliers and side cutters. ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS: Form as shown in the pictures above using combination of hands and pliers. Loop the bottom of the wire ends. This is to grip the elastic bands that will hold under the chin and go around your neck. Keep placing against your face and adjusting until it conforms exactly to your nose, cheeks and chin. See the badger mask brace video tutorials for optimal form around the nose and cheeks. Tie 2 x elastic bands with a knot together. Then attach at the corners using zip ties. Cut the zip tie flush using electrical side cutters or similar, to ensure no sharp burs are left on the zip ties. Loop one elastic band around the bottom, so that it doubles back on itself, this will be used to grip and improve fit around your chin. Allows free movement when speaking. Optional: For smaller faces can wrap the chin elastic band around multiple times. Place another elastic band in the same position at the bottom, without doubling over / looping. This will be used as the strap around your neck. Attach both sides. Put on your mask, preferably along with an ear saver to pull it tight to your face. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4754942 Fit the DIY brace to your face over the mask as shown. Breath in and out with large forceful breaths, check for leaks all around its perimeter. Keep adjusting the form until a good fit is achieved. The mask should move in and out with every breath if successful. For detailed guide see the user mask fit check guide by the CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2018-130/pdfs/2018-130.pdf Check the fit of the brace before every use to ensure the wire has not lost its optimal shape for your face.