3D printed masks for COVID-19 situation?

CAN WE 3D PRINT MASKS?

Probably not N95 masks. These rely on a special kind of synthetic fabric, melt-blown fabric, made from ultra-fine fibers about one-tenth as thick as a strand of hair. Few, if any, 3D printers can print at that level of precision, let alone at any reasonable speed.

However, American regulations around medical masks are slackening as the pandemic intensifies, and recently, the president of Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Peter Slavin, publicly requested 3D-printed industrial masks.

“The formula for producing these masks is available online for free,” he said. “I would hope companies across the country... would start making masks later this afternoon.”

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