Ultra-fast design and production of custom-fitted reusable FFP2/N95 face masks: combining 3D face scanning and 3D printing technologies (UFM3D)

Activecell Technologies是一家总部位于利兹的初创公司，利用融合沉积技术开发一种颠覆性的快速原型和制造服务--一种3D打印农场，在那里任何物品都可以被发送到即时打印并进行远程监控。在UFM3D项目中，Activecell将开发一种创新的工艺，快速设计和制造可重复使用的N95/FFP2过滤口罩，以解决1)一线工作人员目前口罩的短缺问题，2)面罩的适配问题。Activecell Technologies将开发一款移动应用程序，能够对用户的面部进行3D扫描。以及后端软件自动处理这些数据，将其转换为用于呼吸器3D打印的模型。该公司还将开发和测试一种呼吸器，其基础是经过同行评审的已发表设计。在这项服务全面实施之前，100个单位将在6个月内生产出来，并在NHS的一线工作人员中进行测试。从长远来看，NHS和普通公众都可以获得按需制造完美贴合的过滤口罩的服务。扩展：鉴于最近的政府指令要求所有公共场所必须使用面罩和口罩，我们对可重复使用的N95/FFP 2面罩的需求预计将高于最初的预期。为了能够满足这一需求，我们需要改进和优化我们的制造操作，实现从收到订单到包装和为成品贴上地址标签的自动化过程。我们打算设计和开发一种全自动机器的原型，使我们能够将我们目前的两到三个设备结合在一起，使之有可能达到每天350到400个口罩的生产速度，是我们目前能够生产的两倍。

ActiveCell Technologies is a Leeds-based start-up developing a disruptive offering for rapid prototyping and manufacturing using fusion-deposition technology -- a 3D-printing farm where any item can be sent to print instantly and monitored remotely.In project UFM3D, ActiveCell will develop an innovative process for the rapid design and manufacture of reusable N95/FFP2 filtering masks to address 1) the current shortage in respirators for frontline workers, responsively and at scale 2) the issue of face fitting of said respirators.ActiveCell Technologies will develop a mobile app able to generate a 3D scan of the face of the user, and the back-end software to process this data automatically to convert it into a model for the 3D-printing of a respirator. It will also develop and test a respirator, based on a peer-reviewed published design. 100 units will be produced within 6 months and tested with frontline workers at the NHS, before the full implementation of the service.In the longer term, a service for on-demand manufacturing of perfectly fitted filtering face masks will be available to both the NHS and the general public.Extension: Given recent government directives making face covering and masks mandatory for all in public spaces, demand for our reusable N95/FFP2 face-fitting filtering masks is expected to be higher than originally anticipated. To be able to answer this demand, we need to improve and optimise our manufacturing operations by automating the process from the point of reception of an order, up to packaging and address-labelling the finished product. We intend to design and develop the prototype of a fully automated machine that would enable us to combine two to three of our current devices, making it possible to reach a production rate of 350 to 400 masks per day, twice what we are currently able to produce.