PRUSA Covid-19 / Coronavirus Face Shield With Integrated Folding Detent Strap

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UPDATE 13/04/2020: NEWEST VERSION NOW AVAILABLE HERE: https://youtu.be/04lTMJ2VdTI UPDATE 03/04/2020: A Drill Guide Has Been Added to Ensure a Clear Face Shield. The face shield should be printed with an A4 (8.5"x11") clear PETG sheet, approximately 0.5mm thick. You can download and print the drill guide for installation. To align the guide, use the long edge of the sheet and drill out holes using a 1/4", 6mm, or 7mm drill bit. Multiple sheets can be stacked and drilled at once by placing wood or other materials underneath to prevent damage to your table. I recently revised the popular Prusa 3D printed Covid-19 / Coronavirus face shield in this video. Upon reviewing the original design, I identified areas that could be improved for a better user experience. The biggest issue was the requirement for elastic straps on the back of the head. These straps are not typically found around the house and require an additional assembly component, which can be a challenge. To solve this problem, I designed a "print in place" feature that eliminates the need for hardware or assembly. This design allows users to remove minimal support material and work the strap back and forth to free up the detent feature. When worn on the back of the head, the straps enable users to angle them for a snugger fit around their face. These straps should accommodate various head sizes and can be positioned at different angles for optimal comfort. Smaller holes are provided for users who prefer to wear the strap across their forehead instead. If desired, elastic can still be attached in vertical slots or replaced with Velcro strips or zip ties. For a more comfortable fit, I recommend adding a front foam piece to the face shield. This feature helps prevent discomfort during extended wear. You can use off-cuts of acoustic panel foam for this purpose, as it is easily accessible and provides excellent results. To ensure proper sanitation, these items should be replaced after each use due to their porous nature. Here are some print settings that worked well for me: Material: PLA+, Layer Height: 0.3mm, Support: Only on build plate, no bridges. These options are crucial for the detent feature's correct functioning. Assembly is straightforward: simply remove supports and attach the PETG face sheet. The drilling and cutting template can be found on my Thingiverse link or the official Prusa site for their version of this mask. Both templates work identically since this design is based on their RC2 model. I left the lower chin piece unchanged from the original Prusa design, as it proved to be sufficient. If you plan to produce these face shields for others, please practice good hygiene and look up guidelines online for proper handling. Avoid contaminating the shields and distributing them to front line workers. I appreciate any suggestions for further improvement; feel free to share your ideas in the comments below! The original design and additional information can be found on Prusa's website: https://www.prusa3d.com/covid19/. If you've enjoyed my content and would like to show your appreciation, consider supporting me with a donation or by buying me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/embraceracing. Your generosity will help me continue creating high-quality content for you.