Help Me 3D Print Face Shields and Ear Guards

Hi there! And thanks for taking the time to visit my campaign.

For the past month, I have joined the ranks of the 3D printing and maker community who all seem to be galvanized in one singular mission: to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to the women and men taking care of COVID-19 patients across the globe.



It is a sad reality that we are relying on citizens to fill the gaps in medical grade supply chains but the fact remains that critical PPE like face shields are still in short supply.

I am appealing for your financial support to allow me to continue tasking my 3D print farm to produce face shields and ear savers for health care workers in the United States.

To date, I have spent nearly $700 in raw materials, spare parts, and shipping fees. Some of that has been graciously provided by individual contributors. And I had hoped that by now, a month into non-stop printing, the supply chain would have caught up. But it has not. And I would very much like to continue meeting demand and for that, I would like your help.



The face shields I print are recommended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a viable alternative to medical grade equipment during this crisis. They are designed to be made quickly with easily sourced materials. They are 100% plastic and contain no adhesives, foam, or fabric - this allows them to be cleaned/sterilized easily which means they are reusable. Face shields have become essential PPE during this pandemic because they help extend the life of N95 and surgical masks which are also in short supply - so much so that these masks are being worn way past their intended single use and for extended periods of time.

I have also been printing ear savers (or ear guards), which have been another popular request from health care workers. Wearing an N95 or surgical mask for extended periods of time can cause chafing and discomfort on the backs of ears. These ear savers relieve the pressure from the mask's ear straps and make for a more comfortable fit. Like the face shields, the ear savers I print are also NIH approved. This is important as we do not want the device to compromise the protective characteristics of medical masks in any way.



Every $1000 I raise will make possible 1850 face shields, 10,000 ear savers, priority mail shipping to over 60 destinations, spare parts for my 3D printers when they inevitably break down, or any combination of the above. Since I really don't know how much I will need for this endeavor, I've come up with a way to guarantee the money I raise is put to good use. Please note:

I pledge to keep printing until any of these conditions are met: 1) I run out of materials; 2) My printers die and I cannot reasonably repair them; 3) there is no need for me to print anymore. Further, I pledge that any surplus I collect from this fundraising campaign will be donated to Doctors Without Borders  and the CDC Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Finally, if you are or know a health care worker who needs face shields or ear savers, please visit Print the Curve Flat on Facebook . PTCF is a citizen movement of 3D printing enthusiasts and makers organizing to provide essential PPE to health care workers. On their page, you can find a request form.

If you own a 3D printer and would like to join the effort, please also consider visiting Print the Curve Flat. We can use all the help we can get.

Thank you sincerely for taking the time to learn more about my campaign. And thank you again in advance should you decide to support this important effort.

Please stay safe. Stay at home. And stay healthy.