3D printer for printing face shields?

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#2448250 27-Mar-2020 17:26

MikeAqua:
If you 3D print the actual visor will it be clear enough to see through?

No, not even close.

But, a decade ago, teachers used A4 mylar transparencies on overhead projectors, and they should make perfect (and washable) visors. I bet that schools (and teachers) have stacks of these in drawers somewhere. Maybe office supply companies might still have them?

mdf

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#2448270 27-Mar-2020 17:43

frankv:
MikeAqua:
If you 3D print the actual visor will it be clear enough to see through?

No, not even close.

But, a decade ago, teachers used A4 mylar transparencies on overhead projectors, and they should make perfect (and washable) visors. I bet that schools (and teachers) have stacks of these in drawers somewhere. Maybe office supply companies might still have them?

Exactly. Officemax seems to be the current supplier of choice for ShieldsUp.

gchiu

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#2448320 27-Mar-2020 18:14

mdf:

But, a decade ago, teachers used A4 mylar transparencies on overhead projectors, and they should make perfect (and washable) visors. I bet that schools (and teachers) have stacks of these in drawers somewhere. Maybe office supply companies might still have them?

Eh? I've got stacks of those from presentations I've done in the past. I guess rub the presentations off and re-use

gchiu

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#2448764 28-Mar-2020 12:48

this looks like a far more efficient method

https://open-face-ppe.now.sh/instructions

laser cut plastic with no need for a 3D printer.

Now who has a laser cutter ...

mdf

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#2448854 28-Mar-2020 14:18

gchiu:

this looks like a far more efficient method

https://open-face-ppe.now.sh/instructions

laser cut plastic with no need for a 3D printer.

Now who has a laser cutter ...

Another similar design here: https://making.engr.wisc.edu/shield/

If you wanted to make small amounts for you/family, suspect that you could sacrifice something like a pool noodle and a few coke bottles.

Getting supplies for mass production is likely to be the biggest barrier.

joemate

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#2449133 28-Mar-2020 23:21

I've tested this model on my ender 3. Works pretty good, prints pretty fast. You can even squeeze 2 of them into one slice.

The exact model I've printed is Visor_frame_EUROPE_80mm_4hole_v1, and using a puncher set to A6, on a A4 sheet of paper the holes are perfect.

The only problem I have is the visor. The issue with Officemax is that they ship only to essential businesses only. The other option is NXP, they have the Binding Cover on stock and there's nothing related to shipping restrictions.

According to my wife, she's an anesthetist, there's no need for them (yet), but we never know what the future holds.

My test print looks like this:

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#2449152 28-Mar-2020 23:33

There seems to be a number of co-ordinated printing going on. But not all using the same plans/design.

This story suggests they are shipping the supplies to a central location or known printers

May pay if willing to follow suit. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12320501

gchiu

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#2449179 29-Mar-2020 07:33

joemate:
According to my wife, she's an anesthetist, there's no need for them (yet), but we never know what the future holds.

The MOH updated guidelines still say that receptionists at medical centres do not need to wear PPE but the only people I have seen wearing them from pictures are reception staff. I'm sure there's a huge placebo benefit for them, and if hospitals don't need them yet...

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#2449479 29-Mar-2020 14:06

One is saying "Act like you have COVID-19" the other one is saying something like: don't wear PPE, unless you have an infected or possible infected patient.

There's a nonsense. They should consider everyone who enters a hospital a possible case.

Just look at the tragic event on the West Coast. The case was thought to be "influenza complicated by a underlying chronic health condition". Now the DHB has placed 21 staff in self-isolation. We hear, that there's capacity, etc. Yes, there is, BUT for long, if they are not allowed to use full protective gear.

I don't want to go way off-topic. I apologize if I went too far.

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#2455813 6-Apr-2020 14:15

There's also a group in the U.S called Montana Masks who have been printing an actual face mask for which the plans are online.
It has since progressed to the stage where another company is producing the mask from the same plans but using injection molding.
I believe that the finished mask requires a HEPA filter to be inserted in front, but the mask itself is washable and therefore able to be sterilized.

Plans at link...

https://www.makethemasks.com/3d-printing

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/montana/articles/2020-04-05/montana-masks-go-global-move-to-injection-molds

gchiu

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#2455825 6-Apr-2020 14:34

Just cut the HEPA material out of a vacuum cleaner bag eg. Hoover, that says it's HEPA material.

I have a few Hoover vacuum bags, but can't purchase a 3D printer anywhere.

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#2455830 6-Apr-2020 14:41

gchiu:

Just cut the HEPA material out of a vacuum cleaner bag eg. Hoover, that says it's HEPA material.

I have a few Hoover vacuum bags, but can't purchase a 3D printer anywhere.

Yup, I've seen tutorials for making masks out of the bags, but in the comments some have replied that you have to make sure there aren't any microscopic particles of fibreglass etc, especially since you will be cutting the filter open. It's kind of an unknown.

gchiu

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#2455862 6-Apr-2020 14:58

So the mask above is designed for an intact HEPA filter like the ones on my iRobot Roomba?

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#2455923 6-Apr-2020 15:27

gchiu:

So the mask above is designed for an intact HEPA filter like the ones on my iRobot Roomba?

I have to admit, I really don't know... I'd have to read up on the whole thing.

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#2456089 6-Apr-2020 17:27

Just a warning about 3D printing masks... a 3D-printed object is not necessarily water- or air-tight. Typically there are pinholes between layers. When I print something that needs to be waterproof, I spray it with a coat or two of polyurethane.

This problem does depend to some extent on how well your printer is set up, but excessive corner speeds, slippage and backlash in mechanisms, variations in filament thickness, and a host of other things could result in momentary under-extrusion and result in a pinhole. I certainly wouldn't want to rely on any 3D-printed item to keep out a virus.

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