3D Printed PPE
There is a shortage of proper PPE (personal protective equipment) for healthcare professionals worldwide. To address this, 3D printing volunteers throughout the world have mobilized to use their maker tools to make a difference. Thousands of volunteers all over are using 3D printers to create PPE. Currently (4/23/2020) the safest and most useful PPE that can be printed by most at-home, hobbyist 3D printers are face shields. This site will be used to update files and instructions for what needs to be printed, where it can be delivered and how to get more information on delivering PPE within the local DC/MD/VA region.
15000+ shields delivered TO END USERS
120+ unique healthcare providers/systems
Nationally: NYC, Pennsylvania, Las Vegas, California, Florida, Connecticut, Idaho, Ohio, Texas, Michigan
Locally: Annandale, Woodbridge, Arlington, Rockville, Hyattsville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Frederick
Scroll through photos below
Shield Cleaning Information for End Users: https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/prusa-face-shield-disinfection_125457
What To 3D Print - If you have a 3D printer and want to make face shields, here are the links to the proper STL’s
CURRENT SUGGESTED DESIGN -
American 3-Hole Punch version of the Prusa Shield - https://3dprint.nih.gov/discover/3dpx-013409
Prints in roughly 40 minutes
Uses 3 hole punch, spacer and 8.5x11 transparency for shield.
Recommend at least 8 mil in thickness - something like this will work well
Tips from volunteer Brennan Barker on the Verkstan -
- Before slicing, check out the print guide at: https://3dverkstan.se/protective-visor/protective-visor-print-guide/ -- it had some suggestions for print settings that allowed me to get a quality print while minimizing infill --- my very old, knockoff i3 is now pumping these out in 40 minutes per. Those with better printers and bigger nozzles can probably go even faster.
- Be aware that the website has multiple file versions, looks like Eric is hoping for the 6 HOLE, North America, V3 version. The region seems particularly important as it has to do with sizing the band to fit American-style transparency paper and hole punches.
OTHER USEFUL DESIGNS FOR SMALLER QUANTITY/SMALLER BUILD PLATES -
ORIGINAL PRUSA SHIELDS RC3 - https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/25857-prusa-face-shield
Higher quality, but slower printing speeds.
Plastic shield portions are difficult to source currently. Laser cut shield materials are out of stock nationwide with shipping times pushed into May at the earliest. Alternative designs using other sheeting are needed (see below).
Can still be printed and used with transparencies with holes cut using a template.
NOTE: IF YOUR BUILD PLATE IS SMALLER - PRINT RC1!
US PRUSA SHIELDS - https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/27950-prusa-face-shield-us-version
Uses 3 hole punch and 8.5x11 transparency for shield.
Recommend at least 8 mil in thickness - something like this
I have not tested this one but it should work well.
VERKSTAN NORTH AMERICAN - https://3dverkstan.se/protective-visor/protective-visor-versions/
High quantity but lower quality
We have secured roughly 10,000 of these through injection molding
Printing of this can be done for your own local distribution, but we don't need them to send out. We've got more than enough coming!
Looking for other items to print? These are all good options!
Check the NIH COVID-19 Print Exchange Site for a variety of models. We recommend:
Ear Savers - these are useful in bulk quantities! Super helpful!
The other shield designs
Bias tape makers! These help your fellow makers that are sewing cloth masks en masse!
Looking to experiment with your printer and help rapidly prototype a mask solution?
If you want to TEST designs and can print in flexibles, the BUFFALO e-NABLE Crisis mask is a nice option BUT it should NOT be provided to healthcare facilities yet. It is still being tested and iterated. We are currently printing and assessing these ourselves so cannot yet vouch for the full design.
HOW TO HANDLE THESE? - Assume you have the coronavirus when handling
When a print is finished, you should remove it from your build plate while wearing a mask, bandana or other face covering and use gloves/plyers to avoid skin contact with the printed part. It should be moved straight into a sealable ziploc-style bag. Its fine to store multiple shields together (I can fit 20 in a gallon ziploc). We typically leave shields bagged for 2-3 days to allow anything on it to die. Medical providers will sanitize the materials when they receive them.
Where will they go?
If you just want to print:
We have setup a non-contact “3D Printed Shield Dropbox” next to the Guard House at the entrance to Marymount University in Arlington VA (2807 North Glebe Road, Arlington VA 2207).
You can bag your shield prints and drop them off in that location. No need to talk to anyone or get close (if you do, make sure keep your 6 feet distance!). You can just drop your delivery and we will get it matched for delivery.
Once you dropoff shields, please fill out your contribution. There are separate sheets for the PRUSA and the VERKSTAN design for you to fill out the following:
1) How many you have printed
2) Fill out once they’re delivered to the dropbox.
This helps me track stock from my apartment in Maryland so I can maintain arrange for delivery people to pick them up while practicing good social distancing! The ONLY information I really need is your numbers of shields (all other info is optional).
If you want to get transparencies and make completed shields :
Once you have printed a few you can speak with friends/family to identify any local needs for the face shields. This is the strength of this distribution style. You can much more easily get materials to people you know on a small scale while we wait for official channels to operate how they should be.
Here’s a link to the transparencies that I’ve found work best. They’re 8.5x11” and are a little thicker than typical
If you want to mail shields, send me a message to ebubar@marymount.edu and i’ll start trying to link you with requests.
Visit here to donate: