【3D Printing News】Worried about commuting during the pandemic? DIY a protective shield!
Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19, Wuhan pneumonia), and after the recent long Qingming holiday, commuters are anxious. Following our last sharing of " Five Anti-Epidemic Artifacts," we immediately tested two DIY protective face shields! They can be made with either home or industrial 3D printers, ensuring peace of mind during your commute! See the full test here, with free download links at the end of the article!
The protective face shield consists of two main parts:
1. 3D printed frame and fasteners
2. Transparent isolation shield (with dimension lines)
We used the hobbyist Original Prusa i3 MK3S and the industrial Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle 3D printers to make them, and both shields proved to be functional!
(The Original Prusa i3 MK3S 3D printer paired with Coke Red PLA filament, stylish and striking even when fighting the virus.)
The Ultimaker 3D printer uses original orange PLA filament, and the difference in detail is already visible before removing the frame.
(This 3D printed protective face shield has a row of 1cm wide ventilation holes where it touches the forehead, which is very user-friendly.)
There's a slight difference in surface texture between the two 3D printed protective structures. The text on the Ultimaker orange face shield is clearer, the texture is finer, and there are almost no layer errors, while the stringing on the Prusa red face shield is relatively more noticeable; however, this doesn't affect its functionality at all. Considering the cost-effectiveness of the Prusa at under NT$40,000, the finished product is still quite excellent!
As for the transparent isolation sheet for the face shield, we directly used PETG sheets from Vaquform DT2 to cut the holes using the FLUX beambox laser cutter. If you don't have PETG, you can also use transparent sheets from a regular stationery store! (Click here to see the "FLUX Laser Cutter" usage tutorial)
(Using a laser cutter, you can get a perfectly sized 3D face shield isolation sheet in just 1 minute. If you don't have a laser cutter, you can print and cut it by hand, or use the A4 version provided at the end of the article.)
After completing these two accessories, simply assemble them. Insert the holes of the transparent sheet into the 3D printed frame in order, then insert the bottom into the fastener!
Finally, tie elastic bands to both sides of the 3D printed frame, and it's complete. The bottom fastener prevents the transparent sheet from flaring out, providing more secure protection. European and American medical systems have also mass-produced and used these to supplement medical resources.
After the 3DMart staff actually wore the 3D protective face shields, regardless of height, weight, or build, the size fit everyone's head perfectly, receiving great reviews!
The other simple version only requires a 3D printed frame and inserting an A4-sized transparent sheet into the slots. No holes need to be cut, no elastic bands are required, and it can be directly fixed on the head like a headband, which is very convenient for short commutes!
3DMart staff personally tried on the simple version of the protective face shield, and it was also very lightweight and suitable for commuting. Come and try it out!
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, and global medical resources are scarce. If you have a 3D printer, join us in producing anti-epidemic supplies to protect yourself or contribute to the world!