According to the Hamburg-based Lehvoss Group, the market for professional respiratory masks has been emptied by the Covid-19 pandemic and remains so. This is resulting in some very creative solutions, e.g., masks for the weekly farmers’ market are been sewn together at home from old T-shirts. In order to maintain production in industry, however, more professional solutions are required – suitable for implementation at short notice now that industry is resuming production.
The 3D-printing experts at LMD Innovation GmbH have developed professional respiratory masks for the planned FFP2 and FFP3 protective ratings. The laser sintering material Luvosint TPU, an elastic thermoplastic polyurethane powder from the Lehvoss Group has been used for this application. The result is a mask that clings optimally to the face and therefore seals tightly and securely. Filter inserts can be varied as required. One special feature of this design is that the entire mask can be cleaned in the dishwasher. This avoids waste and ensures that it can be reused safely. Users are able to breathe in and out calmly through the FDA-certified product and can obtain and insert filter pads as they wish.
“Components printed from Luvosint TPU are elastic and at the same highly resilient. It was the only laser sintering material that met the raft of requirements with which we were confronted”, said project manager Sven Rüssmann of LMD. In addition to the masks in standardized sizes, 3D printing offers additional, practically free-of-charge opportunities for individualization. Users can scan their face using a simple smartphone app. LMD then produces the mask to fit exactly. An important and essential step in achieving an ideal result with a maximum level of protection and sealing, said LMD.