/covid-3d-printing-mi

Resources for 3D printing PPE, in Michigan.

COVID-19 PPE 3D Printing Resources (Michigan)

I'm using a GitHub repo as a file server/static site web host for files and other materials useful for making or using 3D printed PPE.

If you're here to download files, then I'd recommend downloading "manually" by clicking on the filename in the repo dashboard above, and then clicking "Download" in the header bar (next to "History"). The files are stored with Git LFS, so git clone from a terminal won't work correctly unless you have Git LFS installed.

Where do I donate?

I recommend donating to Operation Face Shield. They're among the largest volunteer organizations for making and distributing 3D printed PPE, they have several drop-off points (most in Ann Arbor, but also in neighboring cities), and they have a far-reaching distribution network (mostly in Michigan, but there's a pilot in the group who can make plane deliveries. Outside of Southeast Michigan, Operation Face Shield has sent shipments to the Upper Peninsula, Nebraska, and the Navajo Nation, among others.

If you're 3D printing ear savers, then it would also be helpful if you could send them to me. I've set up an ear saver request form for individuals and small groups, but I actually blew through my entire ear saver stockpile after the first night of the form being open.😅 Shoot me a DM on Facebook or an email (yiliny@umich.edu) if you'd like to donate, but need my mailing address! If you donate, please label your ear savers with the type of plastic from which they were printed (PLA, PETG, ABS, etc.)! This is normally done by writing something like "PETG" on the plastic with a metallic Sharpie, but you could also include a note that says "these are all PLA" or similar.

What should I donate?

As of the time of writing, you no longer need to 3D print faceshield headbands. A member of Operation Face Shield donated an injection mold for faceshield headbands: using that mold, they can now manufacture ~1500 face shields per day, which is orders of magnitude more than can be practically manufactured by 3D printing. For comparison, it takes roughly 22 hours for a single 3D printer to finish printing eight.

Instead, I'd recommend printing "ear savers", because that's what I and OFS are short on right now. (UPDATED 5/15/20) Operation Face Shield currently has a long backlog of orders to fill, and would be thankful for any help you can provide!

Files

  • ear_saver_thinn is the original STL provided by Operation Face Shield for its volunteers.
  • ear_saver_thicc is a slightly modified version with a thicker band (1.5mm, rather than 1mm).