3D Printing Ear Savers and Masks with HEPA Filters
Donation protected
Updated 5/14/2020
I have a Makerbot Replicator 2, that prints using 1.75mm PLA filament (printer material). This material is made from sugar beats, sugarcane, cornstarch, and tapioca. Unlike ABS plastic, it is oil free, renewable, and vegan friendly! My MakerBot prints 10 ear savers every 80 minutes. On April 17th, two Ender-3s by Creality joined the team. They produce 9 ear savers in about 150 minutes. With all three, I can make 32 ear savers in a little over two and a half hours. A single spool of filament, $22-$31, can produce 260 ear savers.
An ear saver is a thin strip of plastic with four arrowhead notches. Using a new design it weighs only 2.9g, that's 25% lighter than a nickle. The strings of a paper mask are hooked onto the ear saver keeping the mask pulled tightly to the face, while keeping the strings off the wearer's ears which prevents chafing and even bleeding after long time use.
I am donating everything produced to hospitals and other essential businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. As of May 14th, 6100 have been printed and 12 states (IL, WI, MI, GA, TX, CO, CA, CT, OH, KS, MO, AZ) have received ear savers. I plan to keep this campaign non-profit and donations funded. I am not requiring any recipients cover energy, material, or shipping. I only ask for shares, and pictures of the staff using them for my daily updates.
The plan was to print respirator masks, but those are not medically certified and the filter is sub par to combat a virus the size of the Covid-19. As of April 12th, the campaign became dedicated to producing ear savers. I was donated some clear sheet plastic on a spool; if there becomes a demand for face shields I will set one or both of the Enders to begin producing those. At the moment, the general demand is for ear savers so that is what I am making. As of May 14th, NO suitable, 100% Covid-19 proof design has been cleared but if one is offered I will be willing to print those.
The current goal is for $4000, which I believe can produce 30,000 ear savers. From where the campaign is currently sitting, it appears as though we will hit 13,000 ear savers by June 22nd. Hitting the $4000 goal will provide the remainder of the materials and another printer can be added to the team. I intend to either sell the printers off at the end of the campaign and donate the funds to a hospital or donate the printer itself to a school or library that has a computer to run design software, but lacks the funding to purchase a printer. I hope it can be used to inspire the next generation of engineers to act when the country need's it's people to stand up.
Thank you for your donations. Stay safe. Wash your hands. Be mindful of your actions. Check on your neighbor. Get plenty of sleep. Drink lots of water. Share my campaign. Thanks again.
-Josh
I have a Makerbot Replicator 2, that prints using 1.75mm PLA filament (printer material). This material is made from sugar beats, sugarcane, cornstarch, and tapioca. Unlike ABS plastic, it is oil free, renewable, and vegan friendly! My MakerBot prints 10 ear savers every 80 minutes. On April 17th, two Ender-3s by Creality joined the team. They produce 9 ear savers in about 150 minutes. With all three, I can make 32 ear savers in a little over two and a half hours. A single spool of filament, $22-$31, can produce 260 ear savers.
An ear saver is a thin strip of plastic with four arrowhead notches. Using a new design it weighs only 2.9g, that's 25% lighter than a nickle. The strings of a paper mask are hooked onto the ear saver keeping the mask pulled tightly to the face, while keeping the strings off the wearer's ears which prevents chafing and even bleeding after long time use.
I am donating everything produced to hospitals and other essential businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. As of May 14th, 6100 have been printed and 12 states (IL, WI, MI, GA, TX, CO, CA, CT, OH, KS, MO, AZ) have received ear savers. I plan to keep this campaign non-profit and donations funded. I am not requiring any recipients cover energy, material, or shipping. I only ask for shares, and pictures of the staff using them for my daily updates.
The plan was to print respirator masks, but those are not medically certified and the filter is sub par to combat a virus the size of the Covid-19. As of April 12th, the campaign became dedicated to producing ear savers. I was donated some clear sheet plastic on a spool; if there becomes a demand for face shields I will set one or both of the Enders to begin producing those. At the moment, the general demand is for ear savers so that is what I am making. As of May 14th, NO suitable, 100% Covid-19 proof design has been cleared but if one is offered I will be willing to print those.
The current goal is for $4000, which I believe can produce 30,000 ear savers. From where the campaign is currently sitting, it appears as though we will hit 13,000 ear savers by June 22nd. Hitting the $4000 goal will provide the remainder of the materials and another printer can be added to the team. I intend to either sell the printers off at the end of the campaign and donate the funds to a hospital or donate the printer itself to a school or library that has a computer to run design software, but lacks the funding to purchase a printer. I hope it can be used to inspire the next generation of engineers to act when the country need's it's people to stand up.
Thank you for your donations. Stay safe. Wash your hands. Be mindful of your actions. Check on your neighbor. Get plenty of sleep. Drink lots of water. Share my campaign. Thanks again.
-Josh
Organizer
Josh Melfi
Organizer
Niles, IL