This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Longmont-based Diabase engineering has invested their team’s collective know-how into building a production-grade machine that is potentially capable of producing thousands of N95 masks per day. The new machine - called the Longmont Distributed Mask Press (LDMP) - was developed in just two weeks. Today, they are releasing the source files under open source licenses so that anyone, anywhere can duplicate this machine and someday produce N95 masks and meet local demand.
“When the entire world is focused on this crisis, it seemed unreasonable that we wouldn’t do the same. Using supplies we had in-house, we put together this prototype system to thermally form and bond filter media into functional masks.” - Stephen Heston, Principal Engineer
Under normal circumstances, Diabase manufactures a high-performance hybrid tool called the H-Series which can 3D print, CNC mill, burnish, and more. They used their flagship digital fabrication platform to rapidly develop this new LDMP in their Longmont factory. They also used their H-Series systems to 3D print face shield components, as a participating manufacturer in the Make 4 Covid project, which has delivered over 6,500 pieces of PPE and counting.
With this Colorado-made proof of concept machine complete, the team is ready to move the project forward. The first tests of the LDMP were complete on April 4th. The machine demonstrates the concept well and is currently able to form and seal N95 filter media at a low rate. The base material has been tested to N98, but tests with completed masks have not yet been completed. Diabase expects to get a batch of masks to a testing lab next week.
Several steps remain to get locally-produced N95 masks into the hands of medical professionals: test and certify a set of masks produced with this machine, update the machine to further optimize mask fit and productions rate, set up production with the machine to meet real-time need, and continue to update released documents so the community can have the best chance at success in building this machine. Ultimately, masks can be made for far less than $1 each, but the machine must be improved to get there.
In order to proceed, Diabase requires more resources to source material and upgrade the LDMP. Anyone that is interested in contributing to or helping with the project should contact the company at www.diabasemachines.com/N95.
