3D PRINTABLE FACE MASKS

MetaMotive is making a range of face masks available for free download. All of the following designs are patent pending, but they are being offered for free for personal and non-commercial use.

Why?

Many areas are facing a lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the current COVID-19 crisis.

These masks have not been certified for efficacy or approved by any regulatory agency. They are being offered for those emergency situations where certified equipment is not available and any improvement over a cloth bandana may help save lives.

If you have access to certified PPE, please use that. These masks are only intended for emergency situations where no certified PPE is available. They are meant to be an alternative to homemade masks of questionable efficacy.

The more people who have access to these files, the more masks can be 3D printed and provided to those in need.

MetaMotive is also looking for feedback from those who download or use these masks. Please let MetaMotive know how they can be improved.

MetaMotive expects to be regularly updating these files, including offering additional sizes of each version to fit different individuals’ faces.

During quarantine, the number of co-workers to use for face-sizing testing has been limited…

The following masks are intended for Personal FABrication (P-FAB).

All masks are designed for easy 3D printing, so that even a novice printer can immediately begin production.

The masks require NO SUPPORTS for 3D printing and NO fine-tuned bridging.

The goal of these designs is to enable a maximum number of even inexperienced printers or hobbyists to produce emergency PPE supplies for those in need while also allowing for the use of a range of filtration materials, as available.

With over 2 million (estimated) 3D printers in the world, many people each making a small difference can amount to a significant help for our first-responders and healthcare workers in this time of need.

There’s a legal disclaimer. You should read it.

All versions of the masks have been 3D printed and tested in both PLA (specifically PLA+ / PLA Pro) and in PETG.

MetaMotive recommends printing in PETG.

PETG is more resistant to liquids, including alcohol and many other cleaning chemicals, is more environmentally stable, and is more flexible and less brittle.

Please check to make sure that your printer is capable of using the material you select. Some printers may require replacement of their standard hot-ends with all-metal hot-ends for higher temperature materials such as PETG, ABS, and others.

Here’s that legal disclaimer again, in case you missed it the first time.

P-FAB-2

This mask is an early design, incorporating a partial face shield.

This mask is currently available for download in a preliminary version. Though it has been prototyped and tested, this iteration only functions with a limited range of filtration material thicknesses. P-FAB-3 and P-FAB-4 are currently believed to be more efficient solutions.

Click below to learn more and to download 3D printable files.

P-FAB-3

This mask allows for the use of a range of materials at different thickness, from small pieces of N95 mask material to extend their usable life, to sheets of fabric, to HEPA filters up to 3/4” thickness.

The plastic front provides additional protection against any wet materials that a wearer may come in contact with.

Click below to learn more and to download 3D printable files.

P-FAB-4

This mask allows for quick and easy use of sheets of protective material or fabric over a bracket without the need for any sewing.

Filtration materials can be removed and washed or replaced and the mask components can be cleaned and sterilized.

This mask is the quickest to print and looks most like a “standard” face mask.

Click below to learn more and to download 3D printable files.

All masks are currently patent-pending, but are being made available for free for non-commercial use.

P-FAB-2 Face Mask

The P-FAB-2 face mask includes a primary face mask body, a partial face shield “overshield”, and an insert component which holds your choice of filtration material against the inside of the overshield. The insert is included as a separate component to make 3D printing easier for those new to 3D printing.

The overshield directs air flow around the sides and towards the back of the wearer’s head, reducing the amount of air coming from or being directed at anyone in front of the wearer.

Though the P-FAB-2 face mask is available for download, please be aware that it currently only accommodates filtration materials up to 1/16” in thickness. Development has been paused at this time as the P-FAB-3 and P-FAB-4 face masks are believed to be a more efficient use of printing materials and time.

This seems like a good spot to point out that legal disclaimer again.

Recommended printing orientations are shown below.

With these orientations, no supports or bridging are required.

Prototypes were 3D Printed with 1.2mm wall thickness and 15% infill, though you should adjust your settings for your own printer and selected material.

P-FAB-3 Face Mask

The P-FAB-3 face mask includes a primary face mask body and two identical ratchet brackets.

Similar to the P-FAB-2 face mask, the P-FAB-3 directs air flow around the sides and towards the back of the wearer’s head, reducing the amount of air coming from or being directed at anyone in front of the wearer.

The plastic body provides additional protection against wet contaminants, unlike a cloth face mask.

The P-FAB-3 mask comes in two different versions.

The first version provides a large rear surface for adding a seal. The second version has a slightly flexible wall for creating some degree of sealing without the addition of a separate seal.

The main mask body comes in two different versions.

The version on the left (file name has “for_adding_seal”) provides a surface for adding your own sealing material, such as rubber weather stripping/window sealing.

The version on the right (file name “self_sealing”) has a thin flexible wall. This gives some limited flexibility, providing a limited amount of sealing against a wearer’s face. This does NOT provide a perfect seal, but does make cleaning and disinfecting easier.

Please note: Please be aware that the “self_sealing” version is more fragile. Do not use excessive force when tying this mask to your face. The “self_sealing” version does not provide a perfect seal, but both versions are being offered here for download and evaluation.

The ratchet bracket is the same regardless of which mask main body is used. The ratchet includes a flexible perimeter of thin plastic for improved sealing and air flow within the filtration channel.

There are two identical ratchet brackets for each face mask assembly.

It is recommended to 3D print the main mask body and the ratchet brackets in the orientations shown.

In these orientations, there is no need for any supports or bridging.

Prototypes were 3D Printed with 1.2mm wall thickness and 15% infill, though you should adjust your settings for your own printer and selected material.

P-FAB-4 Face Mask

The P-FAB-4 face mask includes a main mask body, a pull bracket, and an insert component.

The P-FAB-4 face mask has been designed for use with different types of sheets of filtration material, such as cotton fabric.

The P-FAB-4 face mask is also designed to work with a range of filtration material thicknesses, such as layering fabric (like cut-up t-shirts) over other filtration materials (such as shop towels).

The P-FAB-4 mask comes in two main versions.

The first version includes sideholes to improve air flow. The second version does not include sideholes, so as to make 3D printing faster.

The main mask body comes in four different versions.

Two main mask body versions are available with sideholes. One includes the standard face shape, while the second includes a larger cutout for a wearer’s nose, across which filtration material can be draped for improved comfort.

The other two main mask body versions are available without sideholes. These also include a standard version and one with a larger cutout for the wearer’s nose.

Please note: MetaMotive believes that the “with recess for nose” versions with larger cutouts for a wearer’s nose are the preferred versions, are more comfortable, and are recommended for most users, but all versions are being offered here for download and evaluation.

All versions of the P-FAB-4 face mask use the same pull bracket.

One pull bracket is used for each face mask assembly.

There are two different versions of the insert component. Both versions are compatible with all versions of the P-FAB-4 face mask.

The version on the left is the quickest to print. The version on the right provides additional support of filtration material away from the user’s face.

Please note: MetaMotive believes that the larger version with additional support for filtration material is the preferred version and is recommended for most users, but both versions are being offered here for download and evaluation.

It is recommended to 3D print the main mask body, the pull bracket, and the insert components in the orientations shown.

In these orientations, there is no need for any supports or bridging.

Prototypes were 3D Printed with 1.2mm wall thickness and 15% infill, though you should adjust your settings for your own printer and selected material.

HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR MASK

Please select from the menu to the side for selecting your filtration materials.

Next, select from the menu to the side which mask you would like to assemble.

Selecting Filtration Materials

 Some very preliminary studies have shown cotton fabric along with two sheets of shop towels provides filtration efficacy significantly improved over that of cotton by itself as well as many other materials which are currently being used for homemade face masks, even approaching that of an N95-rated face mask. These tests are very preliminary and you should select filtration materials at your own discretion.

It is up to each user to select and prepare their own filtration materials.

MetaMotive takes no responsibility or liability for what any user may choose to use for their own filtration material.

Based upon some very preliminary but positive testing, the P-FAB-4 mask has been designed around the use of one piece of cotton fabric lined with two sheets of additional filtration material, though this mask may be used with cut-up pieces of t-shirt by themselves… which is good for those of us with no mask sewing skills.

You may wish to experiment with multiple fabric sizes to get the one that works best for you.

Legal disclaimer again? Yup.

P-FAB-3 FACE MASK ASSEMBLY

To assemble the mask, insert a rectangle of filtration material into each of the filtration channels. Next, simply insert a ratchet bracket into each filtration channel until it is at a depth to hold your chosen filtration material in place and the ratchet teeth have engaged.

STEP 1

The user can choose what filtration material they would like to use in a wide range of thicknesses, from 1/32” to 3/4” (with some compression).

You can choose to use available filtration materials like cloths, fabric, shop towels, HEPA filters, or even N95-rated masks cut into smaller pieces to extend the useful life of the mask.

Filtration material should be cut to size as two rectangles, each approximately 2 1/2” x 5/8”. The mask design is forgiving of filtration material sizing, and rectangles can be cut as small as 2” x 1/2” and as big as 2 5/8” x 3/4”.

Up to 12 filtration rectangles can be made from a single surgical mask.

You can use the ratchet bracket as a template for cutting filtration material.

Hey, look. It’s that legal disclaimer again.

STEP 2

Insert one or more rectangles of your chosen and cut filtration material into each of the two filtration channels.

STEP 3

Insert each of the two ratchet brackets into its respective filtration channel.

The ratchet brackets may be squeezed to move past the ratcheting teeth during insertion.

Press each ratchet bracket fully into its filtration channel until it is holding its respective sheets of filtration material firmly in place.

Release the ratchet bracket and make sure that the ratchet teeth have engaged.

Please Note:

- If you are assembling a '“for_adding_seal” version of the face mask, be sure to add sealing material (such as weather stripping) to the angled rear surface of the face mask.

P-FAB-4 FACE MASK ASSEMBLY

When assembling, the pull bracket will slide back along the outside to an appropriate depth according to the thickness of the filtration material.

Similarly, the insert component will slide forward along the inside to an appropriate depth according to the thickness of the layers as well.

STEP 1

Lay out the PULL BRACKET.

Cover the pull bracket with your choice of filtration material(s).

In the pictures shown, a very roughly cut-up t-shirt was put down, followed by two layers of industrial shop towels.

STEP 2

Put the MAIN FACE MASK BODY on top of your filtration materials and press down into place.

Fold the filtration materials over and into the back of the main face mask body. MetaMotive has found that it works best to fold the top and bottom into place first, followed by the sides, though your results may vary depending on your choice of filtration materials and sizing.

Pull the pull bracket up and into position (final position will vary depending on the thickness of your filtration materials).

STEP 3

Place the INSERT COMPONENT onto the back of the mask.

Press the insert component into the mask as deep as it will go (depth varies depending on the thickness of your filtration materials).

Your face mask is now ready to attach your choice of straps. MetaMotive recommends using straps which can be washed and disinfected.