Thingiverse
Improved Elastic Attachment for BolivAIR Mask by lime3D
by Thingiverse
Last crawled date: 5 years, 6 months ago
I downloaded and printed the BolivAIR mask. I found the mask and filter holders to be well designed (I needed the 110% size for myself).
But I could not get the elastic tensioners to work. The elastic slipped right through. It could be because I did not have any elastic wide enough, and all the stores in my area were sold out.
I had plenty of 3/8" wide elastic on hand, so I designed a combination hook / tensioner. One end of the elastic can be permanently attached to one hook (I used hot glue). The other end can be left adjustable.
This gives the wearer the option of leaving the elastic in place, or detach it. I made one of these for my mother (she's 81 and still insists on making grocery runs) and she leaves the bottom strap attached, slips it over her head, then clips on the top strap.
This design is intended for use with 3/8" elastic.
My other observations:
Hot glue sticks well to the foam tape, but it peels off the PLA very easily. Cyanoacrylate (super glue) works much better, and sticks to both.
The original instructions say to make an angle cut in the foam, and start attaching the foam at the bridge of the nose. I found it was much easier, and makes for a better fit and attachment if you:
a. Cut the foam slightly long.
b. Fold the foam in half.
c. Glue the fold into the bridge of the nose first.
d. Glue one side all the way around and trim it at the bottom with a razor blade.
e. Glue the second side. Trim at the bottom to mate with the first side.
To get rid of any loose or straggler fibers from the edges of the filter, apply a little bit of white (school) glue. It will seal the edges of the filter, but won't stick to the PLA.
Be sure to 'cauterize' the ends of the elastic with a soldering iron or flame to keep them from fraying.
But I could not get the elastic tensioners to work. The elastic slipped right through. It could be because I did not have any elastic wide enough, and all the stores in my area were sold out.
I had plenty of 3/8" wide elastic on hand, so I designed a combination hook / tensioner. One end of the elastic can be permanently attached to one hook (I used hot glue). The other end can be left adjustable.
This gives the wearer the option of leaving the elastic in place, or detach it. I made one of these for my mother (she's 81 and still insists on making grocery runs) and she leaves the bottom strap attached, slips it over her head, then clips on the top strap.
This design is intended for use with 3/8" elastic.
My other observations:
Hot glue sticks well to the foam tape, but it peels off the PLA very easily. Cyanoacrylate (super glue) works much better, and sticks to both.
The original instructions say to make an angle cut in the foam, and start attaching the foam at the bridge of the nose. I found it was much easier, and makes for a better fit and attachment if you:
a. Cut the foam slightly long.
b. Fold the foam in half.
c. Glue the fold into the bridge of the nose first.
d. Glue one side all the way around and trim it at the bottom with a razor blade.
e. Glue the second side. Trim at the bottom to mate with the first side.
To get rid of any loose or straggler fibers from the edges of the filter, apply a little bit of white (school) glue. It will seal the edges of the filter, but won't stick to the PLA.
Be sure to 'cauterize' the ends of the elastic with a soldering iron or flame to keep them from fraying.