I'd second this comment. The Ender 3 is a great printer overall and an exceptional value. And I wouldn't advise going any lower than this price point ($200) in an effort to save money in the short term, as it will end up costing you more time and money in the long run.
Right now I believe that the Ender 3 is the cheapest printer that can be used. I bought the plain version, and a glass bed. The bed I got on Amazon. You will have to go looking for a slicer profile that will work for it. If you get one and need a slicer profile message me on this forum. It takes me 5hrs of printing to make 5. I might be able to speed it up some with faster settings.
I've been using my Ender 3 and a Monoprice Mini V2. The mini is cheaper. About $130 USD. But the print bed is small and not as fast as the Ender.
You asked about the cheapest printer so that's why I'm responding. The Mini isn't one someone would purchase to mass-produce from, but for family and friends, it's acceptable.
We printed these on a Fortus 450MC Gen II, using ASA (Red). Remained flexible and held elastic and rubber bands attached to the mask. The Fortus 450MC Gen II has the ability to print 20 at a time.
We (M4Reactor.org makerspace) tried the design via laser cutting on .06" High Impact Polystyrene which is quite affordable and still easy to get. The test cuts look great and we are going to test later at a hospital. 5 of them took 1.75 min on our laser (150w CO2). A 4x8 sheet (about $40/50) would produce 133 of them. If you could cut the whole sheet at once, at this speed it would be 47 min to cut a 4x8 sheet.
They're coming out nicely with both PLA and PETG. I think the PETG ones will be a little more durable, but they both look like they'll be fine. We're printing them continuously until we run out of need, and going to send them to nursing homes with cloth masks that we're making, too. We're getting 9-10 on a sheet, 4-5 at 100% size, and 5 smaller ones at 85% size, per the instructions.
After a few minutes using this band it slides down the back of my head to rest on the upper part of my neck. This puts more stress than normal on the tops of my ears and is generally more uncomfortable than wearing the mask normally. Am I doing something wrong? Unlike the woman in the photos, I don't have the option of using a hair bun to keep it in place.
Hi. I've been printing these for medical personnel. The feedback that I've been receiving is that the Ear Guard slips down the back of the head which pulls the straps of the mask down creating pressure on the top of the ears. People with long hair are able to overcome this problem with a ponytail or bun; however, folks with short hair don't have that option. Have folks on this site been getting similar feedback? Is there something that folks with short hair can do to make this Ear Guard stay in place? Thank you!
Hi from San Diego! I'm printing away here as well.
I've made a few adjustments to corner radii and transitions to avoid sharp corners when printing. Here's a link to download the native Fusion 360, STEP and STL files:
I’m also working on a version for injection molding, faster printing, and also new versions to prevent the slip down issue for people with short hair as well.
I wear a cotton scrub cap and it does not slip down that. I tried adding a 1/8in foam pad on the back to see if it gets some more friction to stay in place but it does not. I think the problem is that hair is slippery and each strand moves independently and in all directions so it is hard to get the band to stay in place. Maybe another idea is to have a wider strap, one that rests higher on the head and one lower kind of like the swimming goggles.
Would you recommend a more flexible material like TPU? I have seen a lot of these printed in for front line or healthcare workers, and have often wondered what they are printing these out of. PLA seems like it would not be a flexible as TPU, but I suppose if they are thin enough it would be more flexible. I had found some options on Thingiverse, Cults3D, and <a href="https://www.makersverse3d.com/">Makersverse3D</a>, there is no shortage of these right now. I would like to print some for some family friends though to try out and see if they do help with the discomfort on the ears.
Comments
Beth Ripley
Thu, 2020-04-02 21:30
Permalink
Clinical Feedback
We printed this on an HP 580 out of Nylon 12. This tension release band successfully held elastic straps and rubber bands attached to a mask.
EsoBOFH
Sun, 2020-04-05 13:07
Permalink
Printed on Creality Ender 3 Pro
works well, tested in clinical environment by Vancouver Coastal Health Authority Nurses and staff.
standard quaity, default bed and nozzle settings used.
remove skirt or brim, and print 5-up horizontal.
Gus1339
Sun, 2020-04-05 22:55
Permalink
Interested in making these
What is the cheapest 3D printer that I could buy to make these straps?
jkmills
Mon, 2020-04-06 14:21
Permalink
Cheap Printer
We just ordered a second printer to increase our production. I would recommend the Creality 3D Ender. You can pick one up on Amazon for about $250 USD here: https://www.amazon.com/Comgrow-Creality-Ender-3-Printer-Certified/dp/B07DYL9B2S/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2GQ2W23GDTL9M&dchild=1&keywords=creality+ender+3&qid=1586197232&sprefix=Creality%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-6
cwizardtx
Mon, 2020-04-06 15:06
Permalink
You can pick up an Ender 3
You can pick up an Ender 3 for $180-200
mirthy
Mon, 2020-04-06 20:05
Permalink
You can print 6 at a time for
You can print 6 at a time for about 3 hours on an Ender 3 Pro about $230, will get to you sometime next week.
avj2592
Mon, 2020-04-06 23:50
Permalink
Printer Recommendation
If you are looking for a good quality printer on the cheaper side I would buy the Prusa Mini.
https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/3d-printers/994-original-prusa-mini.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwpqv0BRABEiwA-TySwQo9AwIPcstCGLxigKjJADc7v66BrtEkm9nHguN1_s-rZU_TbYGIUBoCnPMQAvD_BwE
JonB
Wed, 2020-04-08 23:14
Permalink
Working pretty much out of
Working pretty much out of the box... the Prusa Mini.
MikeLauderdale
Thu, 2020-04-09 03:49
Permalink
Probably a Creality Ender 3.
Probably a Creality Ender 3.
pjsmith72
Fri, 2020-04-10 16:14
Permalink
I'd second this comment. The
I'd second this comment. The Ender 3 is a great printer overall and an exceptional value. And I wouldn't advise going any lower than this price point ($200) in an effort to save money in the short term, as it will end up costing you more time and money in the long run.
louiskatz
Thu, 2020-04-09 17:45
Permalink
Cheapest Printer Answer
Right now I believe that the Ender 3 is the cheapest printer that can be used. I bought the plain version, and a glass bed. The bed I got on Amazon. You will have to go looking for a slicer profile that will work for it. If you get one and need a slicer profile message me on this forum. It takes me 5hrs of printing to make 5. I might be able to speed it up some with faster settings.
joeyburgett
Sun, 2020-04-12 10:02
Permalink
Printer
I've been using my Ender 3 and a Monoprice Mini V2. The mini is cheaper. About $130 USD. But the print bed is small and not as fast as the Ender.
You asked about the cheapest printer so that's why I'm responding. The Mini isn't one someone would purchase to mass-produce from, but for family and friends, it's acceptable.
SSgt William Ch...
Mon, 2020-04-06 12:51
Permalink
Printing
We printed these on a Fortus 450MC Gen II, using ASA (Red). Remained flexible and held elastic and rubber bands attached to the mask. The Fortus 450MC Gen II has the ability to print 20 at a time.
nilok
Mon, 2020-04-06 19:03
Permalink
TESTED PRINT SETTINGS
Printer: Prusa i3 MK3S
Tested in Prusament PLA and PETG - .3mm Layer Height
100% Scale - 9 per Tray - 2h45min at 100% Speed
85% Scale - 11 per Tray - 2h08min at 100% Speed
guresu
Tue, 2020-04-07 15:57
Permalink
Offer to donate
I have printed a bunch of these and are willing to donate to hospitals in the Orange County, CA area. Kaiser will not accept them. Please contact me.
kjustice
Wed, 2020-04-08 13:11
Permalink
Lasercut on .06" HIPS Success
We (M4Reactor.org makerspace) tried the design via laser cutting on .06" High Impact Polystyrene which is quite affordable and still easy to get. The test cuts look great and we are going to test later at a hospital. 5 of them took 1.75 min on our laser (150w CO2). A 4x8 sheet (about $40/50) would produce 133 of them. If you could cut the whole sheet at once, at this speed it would be 47 min to cut a 4x8 sheet.
PatrickStefanski
Wed, 2020-04-08 15:02
Permalink
Printed on a Prusa MK3s
They're coming out nicely with both PLA and PETG. I think the PETG ones will be a little more durable, but they both look like they'll be fine. We're printing them continuously until we run out of need, and going to send them to nursing homes with cloth masks that we're making, too. We're getting 9-10 on a sheet, 4-5 at 100% size, and 5 smaller ones at 85% size, per the instructions.
DanielR
Thu, 2020-04-09 14:14
Permalink
Uncomfortable for Me
After a few minutes using this band it slides down the back of my head to rest on the upper part of my neck. This puts more stress than normal on the tops of my ears and is generally more uncomfortable than wearing the mask normally. Am I doing something wrong? Unlike the woman in the photos, I don't have the option of using a hair bun to keep it in place.
Flynnjamin
Thu, 2020-04-09 14:15
Permalink
Surface Quality
What layer height/ top and bottom layer settings did people use to maintain top layer surface quality?
Moosehead
Thu, 2020-04-09 15:59
Permalink
Material
Can these be printed in Pla?
Moosehead
Thu, 2020-04-09 16:40
Permalink
material
Can these be printed in pla?
AntennaBob
Fri, 2020-04-10 17:38
Permalink
Materials
What are the best materials for this device? I've got TPE and nylon in stock.
rabidbean
Mon, 2020-04-13 10:31
Permalink
Issues with short hair
Hi. I've been printing these for medical personnel. The feedback that I've been receiving is that the Ear Guard slips down the back of the head which pulls the straps of the mask down creating pressure on the top of the ears. People with long hair are able to overcome this problem with a ponytail or bun; however, folks with short hair don't have that option. Have folks on this site been getting similar feedback? Is there something that folks with short hair can do to make this Ear Guard stay in place? Thank you!
fguinita
Thu, 2020-04-16 22:56
Permalink
Interested on helping making these
would like to help to our frontliners and people around me. what 3d printer should i buy? need to do something bored here at home..
jgroeli
Fri, 2020-04-17 17:22
Permalink
Native CAD available
Hi from San Diego! I'm printing away here as well.
I've made a few adjustments to corner radii and transitions to avoid sharp corners when printing. Here's a link to download the native Fusion 360, STEP and STL files:
https://www.2020dn.com/news/open-source-designs-for-covid-19-ppe
I’m also working on a version for injection molding, faster printing, and also new versions to prevent the slip down issue for people with short hair as well.
All the best,
Julian Groeli
2020 Design
jordo918
Tue, 2020-04-21 12:34
Permalink
Would decreasing the size by
Would decreasing the size by 10% still meet the guidelines? I am trying to print on a MP Select Mini V2
myugen
Fri, 2020-06-26 00:35
Permalink
Slips down hair onto neck
I wear a cotton scrub cap and it does not slip down that. I tried adding a 1/8in foam pad on the back to see if it gets some more friction to stay in place but it does not. I think the problem is that hair is slippery and each strand moves independently and in all directions so it is hard to get the band to stay in place. Maybe another idea is to have a wider strap, one that rests higher on the head and one lower kind of like the swimming goggles.
Clearviewplastics
Tue, 2021-08-03 12:13
Permalink
Do i need flex filaments for this
Do I need flex filaments or can I print using ABS?
Brandon123
Mon, 2022-02-14 17:20
Permalink
Material Question
Would you recommend a more flexible material like TPU? I have seen a lot of these printed in for front line or healthcare workers, and have often wondered what they are printing these out of. PLA seems like it would not be a flexible as TPU, but I suppose if they are thin enough it would be more flexible. I had found some options on Thingiverse, Cults3D, and <a href="https://www.makersverse3d.com/">Makersverse3D</a>, there is no shortage of these right now. I would like to print some for some family friends though to try out and see if they do help with the discomfort on the ears.