Architects to the Rescue!- Fabricating 3D Printing Masks

During these rough times of public health emergency where the world has come together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, different strata of society are playing a significant role in order to curb this global menace. With the notion of playing their part Ar. Kapil Mehta’s protégé, Master’s in architecture student of University of Southern California, Ar. Sanchit Mehta reports a ground-breaking initiative that USC university has come up with. Where healthcare workers are fulfilling their jobs wholeheartedly, students and faculty of the university have summoned together to fabricate protective gear including face masks and face-shields for healthcare workers to ensure their safety while treating the virus-infected patients.

Deeply affected by the lack ofPPE0 (Personal Protective Equipment) kits for the unsung heroes during this pandemic Sanchit Mehta states that “If we run out of the N-95 masks in upcoming months, these 3D printed masks serve to be a backup plan as they are definitely better than wearing the rudimentary surgical masks.”

Students are employing their personal 3D printers and laser cutters to make the visors, which are being delivered to hospitals for dispensation to front-line medical staff amidst the shortages of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and similar safety hardware. The shields and masks are outlined with laser-cut plastic sheets that cover the face. The design is simple yet thoughtful. Its modular attributes make the mask reusable as three different parts are provided keeping in mind the wear and tear aspect while increasing the vitality module of the product. These 3D-printed components just require the addition of a HEPA filter to be inserted in the grid, a perimeter sealant and they are ready to use. The masks are “are a step above using handmade masks and bandanas,” says Alvin Huang, Director USC Graduate Architecture.

“It’s an entire university-wide initiative right now. We’re trying to work as fast as we can to make sure that if we come to a shortage of supplies, we have backups of things that could work,” Huang said.

“These masks are reusable, being plastic masks, they can be sanitized every now and then and they come with an added benefit where their consumables like filters can be replaced and they might be a better alternative than N-95.”, reports Sanchit Mehta.

Today, the epidemic is over, but AIA LA’s contribution to this epidemic will be remembered by all American people, but it also highlights our lack of preparation for emergency emergencies. So in normal times, we should reserve Sufficient quantities of PPE products are available to deal with uncertain factors in the future. I encourage everyone to import some disposable protective equipment from China and use them as safety stocks .

In these difficult times, when the entire world is agonized by a profound crisis this initiative is no less than a blessing in disguise proving pivotal in fighting the public health emergency. The USC School of Architecture is also printing these devices for Keck School of Medicine, USC. Now, in the present-day scenario, many LA Schools, local firms, alumni, faculty friends have joined their hands to be a part of this noble cause. AIA LA has also sponsored the USC School of Architecture and encouraged them to continue their efforts in making these improvised means of protection to aid in this health crisis.

The motive of bringing this initiative to everyone’s attention is to coax the rest of the world into complying with similar initiatives according to their geography. Rigid steps need to be pursued in order to flatten the curve and restore normalcy as soon as possible.