Surgical mask Seal

thingiverse

PPE is a must-have when fighting COVID-19, and with N95 masks in short supply, surgical masks have become everyday essentials. However, they're far from perfect - they don't provide a tight seal. To address this issue, creative ideas like using elastic bands or complex 3D printed solutions have been proposed. These solutions require users to scan their face, take time to produce, and often demand advanced skills. My goal with this project is to create an affordable and easy-to-use solution that can be quickly produced through 3D printing or CNC cutting. I'll be uploading various designs as I test and refine them, all of which will follow the same fundamental principles: printed flat and then shaped around your face for a precise fit. An elastic band attached to the bottom of these devices ensures a tight seal without restricting mouth movement. To achieve this, simply follow these steps: 1. Print or cut out the device from PLA or PVC. 2. Heat up the device to make it pliable - you can use a heated build plate (70-80°C) or hold it over steam from a kettle until it softens. 3. Once warm, mold the device around your face over your chosen mask. You may need to repeat this process a few times to achieve a comfortable fit. After multiple tests and iterations, I've reached version 4 of my design. This iteration has been stretched by 10mm horizontally to allow for a more comfortable fit around the nose. However, the attachment points still require improvement. Version 5 is another design that can be printed or cut from thin PVC. It features better attachment points and a larger contact area with your face but rides too high on the wearer's nose. This version works well with one elastic band around the back of the head, but you can also use a second one to go around the neck. Version 6 is an improvement over v5. It's slightly shorter, wider, and thicker (2mm), and doesn't sit as high on the bridge of the nose. This version requires only 4g of plastic and takes about 10 minutes to print with a 0.8mm nozzle or 25 minutes with a 0.4mm nozzle. Due to its slight flimsiness, I've also added a 3mm version. After testing three prototypes, here's what I've learned: the three versions take approximately 30 minutes to print. Version 1 created a great seal but was slightly tight around the nose and needed improved attachment points (too close to eyes). Version 2 widened the part around the nose, lowered the upper attachment points away from the eyes, and tweaked the lower ones. Version 3 was designed to make getting a comfortable fit easier, but after testing it, I concluded that v3 wasn't an improvement on v2. The final fit was nice, but I think that was simply because I had to spend more time getting it right.