The response from the maker and education communities eager to help in these uncertain times. We’ve seen our 3D printer manufacturer partners, universities, K-12 schools, and 3D printing hobbyists dedicate time and energy to 3D print parts for face shields, ventilators, and testing kits.
While the commitment to the cause is applaudable, it’s important to make sure that if you want to help make emergency PPE, you are also taking the necessary precautions to follow safety and sanitation protocols. There are risks with 3D printed PPE no matter what.
Partner with Local Groups
Seek out a local group that is spearheading the coordination with hospitals in your area and work with them to print parts. For example, Open Works and We The Builders have outlined what hospitals in Baltimore need and the process necessary to get face shields in the hands of healthcare providers. 3D printer owners can print parts then send them to the Open Works team who will assemble and deliver the face shields to local hospitals.
Another option may be to reach out to your local high school, college, or university to see what they are doing in your local area. For instance, Washington County Public Schools in Maryland is using their 50+ 3D printers to produce thousands of face shields for their local hospital. Although schools are closed, some have received special permission to reopen makerspaces to a very limited number of employees to join this effort. If you are aware that your local high school, college, or university has this type of equipment, you can check with them to see if their equipment is being utilized for this purpose. If they are not, you can find if it is possible for them to get involved. There are thousands of pieces of equipment currently sitting idle at schools around the country.
If you cannot locate such an organization in your area, look into your local hospital’s needs on GetUsPPE. The site features a map listing of local hospitals, their specific needs and how to donate. Another similar resource focused in New York, Boston, the Bay Area and Southern California is DonatePPE.
You may have a box or two of N95 masks sitting around your house that you could donate without needing to make anything. You will find that many of these hospitals are taking donations for more than just PPE. It is also important to be aware that even if you are making emergency PPE, many hospitals may not accept it.
Use Validated Designs
Not every design available online has been validated. Unknown designs flaws can put the wearer at risk and gives healthcare providers a false sense of security. Providing an unvalidated design may be worse than providing nothing at all.
The NIH has a 3D print exchange where users can submit designs for review. If the design meets applicable standards, it will be designated as “Clinically Reviewed” and added to their special collection.
Remember, 3D printing with FDM or FFF technologies (the most common technologies makers are currently using to print face shields) creates porous parts. While this creates a physical barrier, it is still possible for liquid or air to leak through. Therefore, the design and the manufacturing technique need to be considered when validating designs.
There is also some confusion around all the different types of PPE and what types should be used under different circumstances.
Inventables has worked with a few doctors and an epidemiologist within government agencies like the FDA, CDC and FEMA to develop a rating system based on CDC guidelines to help clarify this. Their rating system can be found here. They recommend production of C3 and C4 equipment only.
Understand the Limits of Available Designs
It’s difficult to sterilize and reuse 3D printed parts. It is still unknown how effective chemical cleaners are at killing or deactivating the bacteria and viruses that collect within the ridges created from the layering process of 3D printing. In addition, many of the most common 3D printed materials do not hold up well to chemical cleaners.
Some of the most common ways to sterilize parts, such as using an autoclave, are not appropriate for 3D printed parts as they require heating the parts hotter than most 3D printed materials can withstand. There are 3D printers out there that can print parts in materials that can withstand these temperatures, but they are industrial grade that most people do not have access to.
3D printing companies, like Prusa, are working to verify methods for sterilizing 3D printed parts, but their tests are currently in progress. As of right now, we are unaware of any 3D printed designs that have been validated for reuse.
Consider Alternative Methods to 3D Printing
Ultimately since 3D printed parts are not currently able to be reused, there are more efficient ways to manufacture single use parts. Even the most efficient designs take multiple hours to produce on a 3D printer, but with a few design changes, many of these parts can be manufactured using faster processes such as laser cutters, CNC machines, and vacuum formers. Avoid getting stuck in the 3D printing box. There are many other techniques out there if you look for them and many are much more efficient.
Fab Lab Baltimore is a great example of a makerspace producing face shields using a laser cutter instead. They are producing over 100 face shields a day! A major university in our area is producing 500 masks a day by hand cutting foam and plastic sheet. The takeaway is that while 3D printing is a great tool, it isn’t the only tool and isn’t always the right tool.
There are several resources available that show how you can help without 3D printing. For example, Helpful Engineering offers open source designs for safety equipment. Universal Laser Systems outlines a simple design for a face shield that can be produced quickly here.
Several individuals are also sewing DIY masks from home, an initiative poised to assist with the anticipated shortage of masks available for healthcare provider. There are some great video tutorials on YouTube if you want to go this route. There is also research available to help you understand the right materials that balance breathability with the amount of particulate captured and ensure proper fit for effectiveness.
Homemade masks are the very last resort for health care providers and are not considered PPE as their effectiveness is unknown. Per the CDC, if homemade masks are used as a last resort, they should be combined with a face shield that extends to the chin or below.
Over the past few days, more research has surfaced that indicates up to 25% of people infected remain asymptomatic. This has the CDC considering recommending everyone wear masks. Since surgical and N95 masks are in critically low supply, the CDC will be recommending the public use DIY masks instead. Learning how to make your own mask may be something we all need to do soon.
It’s inspiring to see so many in the maker and education communities come together in times like these. We at Amtek are only playing a small role, but all these small efforts going on around the country can add up to make a big impact. We’re working with several of our customers and partners to produce parts, help them get the most out of their equipment, and consult with them on other techniques they may consider to increase efficiency. If you have questions about your current processes and need advice, drop us a line. We’re happy to help.
This blog post was written by Alex Baddock of Amtek Company to point to resources available for those interested in using technologies like 3D printing to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. This is not official advice from any government agency or regulatory body.
