Note: The guidelines in this paper are targeted to the Maker Community. We will shortly publish
a companion piece that is directed at the users of 3D printed equipment to help them determine
how to make the best use of the equipment and assess its effectiveness.
We know that medical equipment is in high demand for healthcare providers on the front lines of
the COVID-19 response. The Maker community has already mobilized to design and produce functional prototypes to fill the gap for equipment such as re-useable masks, face shields, and
other items that Makers 3D print from plastics. The goal is to get protection it those who need it
as quickly as possible. Below: A face shield with a 3D printed headband and brow shield, made by
a Maker in Massachusetts. Design and Photo: Lilia Chan
3D printing has gained traction within the Maker community as this manufacturing method
enables rapid prototyping for viable solutions. It may be difficult to scale 3D printing production,
but with supply chains overwhelmed, 3D printing is a practical, temporary workaround for multiuse, disposable items.
These 3D printed items are not surrogates for vetted Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-
approved medical supplies. They should only be used when FDA-approved supplies become
unavailable. They should not be considered permanent replacements for traditional personal
protective equipment (PPE) and should be exchanged as soon as FDA-approved PPE becomes
available again.
The guidelines presented in this paper are directed to engaged Makers. The goal is to give you
the information you need to produce viable equipment while staying healthy. These guidelines
cover the following areas for fused deposition modeling (FDM), also known as fused filament
fabrication (FFF), and stereolithography (SLA), which are two of the most accessible 3D printing
methods:
- Printing methods, materials, cleaning, and potential health concerns
- Sanitization during manufacture and delivery of a 3D printed part
Click to read the entire N95 Working Group article
The COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition is a collaborative private-industry response
to novel coronavirus. Our mission is to save lives by providing real-time learning
to preserve healthcare delivery and protect populations. (https://c19hcc.org)