East Cobb Branch 3D Printing Shield Masks for Local Healthcare Units VIII

With COVID-19 bringing hardships to our community, we must all do our part to bring a positive change. To protect the communities, AYLUS started to 3D print masks to keep people in community service safe since late May. In July 01 – July 31, there are 3 members participated in 3D printing and assembling shield masks with their 3D printer and purchased filament.

As a member of AYLUS, I have a responsibility to make a positive impact on the community. I started to learn the mechanics and how to use a 3D printer to print face masks. Luckily, Michael Fu, an active member of AYLUS that was very experienced in 3D printing, guided me and walked me through the steps and within a day, I started printing the masks. Unfortunately, a week later, I ran into two problems: the filament was not coming out of the extruder on the printer. But with some help again from Michael, I found that the filament was not properly connected and the problem was solved. The second issue was that there would be strands left over on the final print. With several tests and tries, I found that the temperature was too low. After some adjustments to the temperature, I resolved the issue. The printer ran without further defects and I was printing up to an average of 4-5 masks every single day and I even took the extra step of attaching the plastic face shield onto the already printed frame. I am still continuing to print masks and making a positive impact on our community.

I printed and assembled 102 shield masks in July.

Other members also participated in 3D printing and assembling shield masks, Cynthia Ruan printed and assembled 86, Maxwell Jiang assembled 65.

All those assembled shield masks have been cleaned and packaged at ABC The Maker Station.

Attendance: Steven Hong (79 hours), Cynthia Ruan (66.5 hours), Maxwell Jiang (1.5 hours)

Reported by Steven Hong