Mask Valve (Tesla type)

prusaprinters

The project describes the manufacture of a Tesla-type valve that can be applied to DIY masks or valveless masks. Using valve-equipped masks has a number of practical advantages. The valve facilitates breathing and prevents moisture from forming inside the screen, without compromising its clinical requirements. The main advantage of a Tesla valve over a traditional valve lies in the lack of moving parts. This has a double advantage, in fact It allows you to print the entire valve in one piece and at the same time increases its lifespan in terms of wear. The valve is reusable after washing in a disinfectant solution (ethyl alcohol, diluted sodium hypochlorite or a commercial disinfectant). Operationally, the valve can be applied by making a cross-cut in the fabric of the mask and fixing everything with the supplied bolt. The valve is designed to promote outflow and slow down the incoming flow. In addition, the design is such that any powders and any micro-drops can be blocked inside. The choice not to design the entire mask is deliberate. In fact, the use of masks totally made of rigid plastic does not allow you to adapt the appearance of the face to the device, which is possible by using a sheet of waxed cloth. In addition, the use of a plastic mask will inevitably tend to mark the user's face, thus preventing prolonged use. The current project is in the alpha phase of experimentation due to the limited time and resources that I currently have during the quarantine in Italy. Currently, the lack of masks limits the use of professional equipment to healthcare staff. I hope that this project can be useful on one hand to the construction of DIY masks and on the other hand of inspiration for major impact projects in this complicated period. Print instructionsThere are no special material limitations, PLA is the best choise (but also PETG with low stringing is a viable alternative). The entire valve does not exceed 15 grams of weight, in the next version I hope to be able to contain everything in 10 grams. The attached gcode is for MK3 prusa printer with 0.4mm extruder. It is not necessary to use supports, apart from the bridges of the upper base, everything has angles greater than 45 degrees (even internally).