Automated custom-fitted 3D-printed masks using free software and face scans
Edward J. Sammut, Yin Chien Yeap, Jonathan Quan-Hui Yeap, Gustavo Mendonça, Arthur Rodríguez González Cortes · 2020
Abstract In light of the COVID-19 pandemic a global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) made necessary the development of techniques to rapidly design and adapt filtering masks for local manufacturing using 3D printed methods to help protect healthcare workers. Several Standard Tessellation Language (STL) files of 3D-printed masks have become available in the internet and some models have got approval from regulatory organisations such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This technical report aimed at describing a straightforward methodology for custom-fitting 3D-printed filtering masks to 3D face scans using free software. This article presents modifications of an open-source add-on program (My Face Mask, Wasp, Massa Lombarda, Italy) developed for a free computer aided-design (CAD) software (Blender 2.82, Amsterdam, Netherlands) to design a 3D-printed face mask with polylactic acid (PLA) filament, for P3 filters (99.95% filtration of airborne particles) from face scan STL files. Preliminary results demonstrated that a dental clinician was able to digitally design and 3D-print a mask that provided satisfactory comfort and adaptation. The use of online application for a face scan and an open source software can be used to custom fit a 3D-printed mask to on individuals face.