Ask HN: I want to 3D print masks – how? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: I want to 3D print masks – how?

2 pointseibrahim6 comments

I want to 3d print masks but don't have a printer or experience. Is there a "getting started" guide? I don't know what printer to buy and what material, etc... Thanks.

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You can print a working mask using both PLA or ABS filament, but then you'll need to change the surface of the printed model in order to reduce the risk of contamination.

Here you can find a range of breathing mask 3D printable models: https://top3dshop.com/3d-model-finder/?q=breathing%20mask%20...

This video includes a good tutorial on how to 3D print, assembly and finish a working breathing mask. I strongly suggest watching it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77PgC3kMrFs&feature=youtu.be

Prakashlabs info http://web.stanford.edu/group/prakash-lab/cgi-bin/labsite/pu... As for anything else idk any groups intimately but this is a great doc (below) for resources, more than I have time to look over, but a trove of community responses https://coronavirustechhandbook.com/home

I don't think it's necessary to strive for that as a beginner, an n95 can't be wholly printed well by an average maker let alone a beginner(no offense!). Printing just a normal mask, you'd probably do better printing face shields. Prakashlabs(foldscope and octopi inventor/leader) is already on exploring possibilities of nano fiber production, and a slew of people are trying to convert decathlon into n95 replacement candidates. So I'd ask do you really want to start your own project as a beginner or research WIP communities?

I don't know what i want. I just want to help and also need an excuse to buy a 3d printer :)

All good. I'd say try to print a face shield as your first real project after just playing in basic geometry. Good luck!

Update for the sake of this post as a perspective of project ideas too: An aerosol box idea.

https://twitter.com/annimaniac/status/1244124967521751041?s=...

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