Maker Mask Introduces New Mask Versions and Ventilator Prototype
Nonprofit organization’s global network of community-based small batch production sites delivers an estimated 100,000 masks to protect people from the COVID-19 virus
SEATTLE, June 2, 2020 – Maker Mask, a nonprofit, rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis organized by leaders in technology, industry, and government, today announced new versions of the Maker Mask and a patent-pending 3D printable design for a Maker Mask Ventilator. The Maker Mask global network of small batch production sites, which has delivered an estimated 100,000 masks to protect people from the COVID-19 virus, continues its expansion with members now in more than 156 countries.
“The Maker Mask team continues to innovate, adding enhancements to the original Maker Mask and developing new versions of the mask that are easier and faster to make using 3D printers. We’ve introduced a child’s version of the Maker Mask Respirator, a new Rapid version that only takes 1.5 hours to print, a new three-vent Maker Mask Radius which provides increased airflow, and a patent-pending Maker Mask Ventilator prototype which is a very exciting development,” said Jonathan Roberts, co-founder of nonprofit RPrime and founding partner at venture capital firm Ignition Partners. “We believe that making masks and wearing masks are vital to COVID-19 recovery. Some reports indicate that a COVID-19 vaccine may not be developed for 12 to 18 months which means we need to remain vigilant. As Governors across the country begin to reopen their states and businesses begin to reopen, more people will be returning to work and gathering in groups. This is a crucial time for all of us to wear masks to protect both ourselves and the people around us so we can prevent the spread and resurgence of COVID-19.”
New Mask Models
All of the 3D printable mask designs and CAD files for the latest versions of the new Maker Mask versions described below are available for free download at makermask.com.
Maker Mask Rapid - This mask version has only three parts and is easy to 3D print in approximately 1.5 hours. This model is undergoing National Institutes of Health (NIH) assessment.
Maker Mask Radius - This model of the Maker Mask, which takes approximately 2 hours to 3D print, features three vents which increases airflow and allows wearers to breathe easily. This model is undergoing NIH assessment.
Maker Mask Respirator - The original NIH-approved Maker Mask Respirator, now at Version 2 4.26, can be made within 3 hours using a 3D printer. The mask includes a HEPA filter that is replaceable and a child’s size is now available. This mask model is intended to be made by individuals with a deep knowledge of 3D printing.
Maker Mask Ventilator – This ground-breaking protype design will be unveiled during the webinar on Thursday, June 4. Register: https://bit.ly/2XeTYk1
Maker Mask Network Growth Continues
More than 10,500 makers have joined Maker Mask’s global network of small batch production sites 3D printing protective masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19. These members represent 6,241 maker/hobbyist communities, 214 healthcare organizations, 179 universities, 161 companies, 67 government agencies, 144 nonprofits, and 331 other groups that have downloaded more than 156,000 free open-source computer aided design (CAD) files for printing the Maker Mask. People from 156 countries have visited the website resulting in more than 778,000 global website page views. From a recent survey of our Maker Mask members, results from more than 400 respondents indicate that an estimated 100,000 protective masks have been made and delivered to people around the world.
As the network expands, the Maker Mask team is focused on recognizing the many #MakerMaskStories of hard work and dedication to helping others demonstrated by makers across the country and around the world. Michael Thomsen and his family in Pleasanton, California; Brian Furr in Baltimore, Maryland; and Isaac Whitehouse in London, are all great examples of people who are making a difference, one mask at a time. The Thomsen family of Michael, Angela, and son Erik (14) has been making Maker Masks for the past month as “our way to contribute during the COVID-19 crisis” and they have produced more than 60 masks so far. Brian Furr is an enterprising business student at the University of Baltimore’s Merrick School of Business in Baltimore, Maryland who "wants to use 3D printing to bring STEAM learning to inner city kids." Isaac Thomson Whitehouse (15) of Lincolnshire in the UK is a self-proclaimed “tech geek who loves anything to do with computers, coding, making, and 3D printing” who has been working with pi-top tools since he was 12. His Maker Mask builds have been featured on his Twitter feed and his masks have been delivered to hospitals and schools.
Maker Mask will host a webinar on Thursday, June 4 starting at 1 pm PDT/4 pm EDT focused on the new versions of the Maker Mask and the growth of the Maker Mask network of makers around the world. Register: https://bit.ly/2XeTYk1 For more information about joining the Maker Mask Movement, visit makermask.com. To make a donation to offset the costs of mask-making materials and platform development, visit https://www.makermask.com/donate.html
About Maker Mask
Maker Mask is a rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis. The nonprofit organization is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly to reduce the spread of disease, protect more people, lighten the burdens on medical facilities, the Department of Defense, and government agencies. The Maker Mask initiative gives people around the world something they can do to be part of the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic while the organization works toward its long-term goal of building and training local production capability for the future. Maker Mask is an RPrime Initiative and currently funded by the RPrime Foundation. The RPrime Foundation, co-founded by Jonathan Roberts, is a nonprofit digital platform connecting individuals to communities of all types including faith-based, education, government, NGO and all service organizations, to meet societal and community needs. Roberts is also a board member and investor in NavigatorCRE which is driving the powerful ViralInsights/NavigatorCRE data analysis and visualization platform that is an important part of the Maker Mask initiative.
Media Contact
Megan McKenzie
McKenzie Worldwide
meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
+1 503.470.0197 (mobile)
+1 503.625.3680 (office)
Nonprofit organization’s global network of community-based small batch production sites delivers an estimated 100,000 masks to protect people from the COVID-19 virus
SEATTLE, June 2, 2020 – Maker Mask, a nonprofit, rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis organized by leaders in technology, industry, and government, today announced new versions of the Maker Mask and a patent-pending 3D printable design for a Maker Mask Ventilator. The Maker Mask global network of small batch production sites, which has delivered an estimated 100,000 masks to protect people from the COVID-19 virus, continues its expansion with members now in more than 156 countries.
“The Maker Mask team continues to innovate, adding enhancements to the original Maker Mask and developing new versions of the mask that are easier and faster to make using 3D printers. We’ve introduced a child’s version of the Maker Mask Respirator, a new Rapid version that only takes 1.5 hours to print, a new three-vent Maker Mask Radius which provides increased airflow, and a patent-pending Maker Mask Ventilator prototype which is a very exciting development,” said Jonathan Roberts, co-founder of nonprofit RPrime and founding partner at venture capital firm Ignition Partners. “We believe that making masks and wearing masks are vital to COVID-19 recovery. Some reports indicate that a COVID-19 vaccine may not be developed for 12 to 18 months which means we need to remain vigilant. As Governors across the country begin to reopen their states and businesses begin to reopen, more people will be returning to work and gathering in groups. This is a crucial time for all of us to wear masks to protect both ourselves and the people around us so we can prevent the spread and resurgence of COVID-19.”
New Mask Models
All of the 3D printable mask designs and CAD files for the latest versions of the new Maker Mask versions described below are available for free download at makermask.com.
Maker Mask Rapid - This mask version has only three parts and is easy to 3D print in approximately 1.5 hours. This model is undergoing National Institutes of Health (NIH) assessment.
Maker Mask Radius - This model of the Maker Mask, which takes approximately 2 hours to 3D print, features three vents which increases airflow and allows wearers to breathe easily. This model is undergoing NIH assessment.
Maker Mask Respirator - The original NIH-approved Maker Mask Respirator, now at Version 2 4.26, can be made within 3 hours using a 3D printer. The mask includes a HEPA filter that is replaceable and a child’s size is now available. This mask model is intended to be made by individuals with a deep knowledge of 3D printing.
Maker Mask Ventilator – This ground-breaking protype design will be unveiled during the webinar on Thursday, June 4. Register: https://bit.ly/2XeTYk1
Maker Mask Network Growth Continues
More than 10,500 makers have joined Maker Mask’s global network of small batch production sites 3D printing protective masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19. These members represent 6,241 maker/hobbyist communities, 214 healthcare organizations, 179 universities, 161 companies, 67 government agencies, 144 nonprofits, and 331 other groups that have downloaded more than 156,000 free open-source computer aided design (CAD) files for printing the Maker Mask. People from 156 countries have visited the website resulting in more than 778,000 global website page views. From a recent survey of our Maker Mask members, results from more than 400 respondents indicate that an estimated 100,000 protective masks have been made and delivered to people around the world.
As the network expands, the Maker Mask team is focused on recognizing the many #MakerMaskStories of hard work and dedication to helping others demonstrated by makers across the country and around the world. Michael Thomsen and his family in Pleasanton, California; Brian Furr in Baltimore, Maryland; and Isaac Whitehouse in London, are all great examples of people who are making a difference, one mask at a time. The Thomsen family of Michael, Angela, and son Erik (14) has been making Maker Masks for the past month as “our way to contribute during the COVID-19 crisis” and they have produced more than 60 masks so far. Brian Furr is an enterprising business student at the University of Baltimore’s Merrick School of Business in Baltimore, Maryland who "wants to use 3D printing to bring STEAM learning to inner city kids." Isaac Thomson Whitehouse (15) of Lincolnshire in the UK is a self-proclaimed “tech geek who loves anything to do with computers, coding, making, and 3D printing” who has been working with pi-top tools since he was 12. His Maker Mask builds have been featured on his Twitter feed and his masks have been delivered to hospitals and schools.
Maker Mask will host a webinar on Thursday, June 4 starting at 1 pm PDT/4 pm EDT focused on the new versions of the Maker Mask and the growth of the Maker Mask network of makers around the world. Register: https://bit.ly/2XeTYk1 For more information about joining the Maker Mask Movement, visit makermask.com. To make a donation to offset the costs of mask-making materials and platform development, visit https://www.makermask.com/donate.html
About Maker Mask
Maker Mask is a rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis. The nonprofit organization is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly to reduce the spread of disease, protect more people, lighten the burdens on medical facilities, the Department of Defense, and government agencies. The Maker Mask initiative gives people around the world something they can do to be part of the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic while the organization works toward its long-term goal of building and training local production capability for the future. Maker Mask is an RPrime Initiative and currently funded by the RPrime Foundation. The RPrime Foundation, co-founded by Jonathan Roberts, is a nonprofit digital platform connecting individuals to communities of all types including faith-based, education, government, NGO and all service organizations, to meet societal and community needs. Roberts is also a board member and investor in NavigatorCRE which is driving the powerful ViralInsights/NavigatorCRE data analysis and visualization platform that is an important part of the Maker Mask initiative.
Media Contact
Megan McKenzie
McKenzie Worldwide
meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
+1 503.470.0197 (mobile)
+1 503.625.3680 (office)
Laplink Supports Maker Mask Production of 3D Printed PPE to Fight COVID-19
Software company donates $10,000 to the production of respirator-style masks for public, government and frontline workers
May 07, 2020 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
SEATTLE & BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Laplink® Software, Inc., the global leader in PC migration and creator of the only software of its kind recommended by Microsoft®, Intel® and all major PC manufacturers, and Maker Mask, a nonprofit, rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis organized by leaders of technology, industry and government, today announced that the organizations are working together to boost the production of respirator-style masks for the public and essential workers. Laplink has donated $10,000 to Maker Mask to support this critical initiative – and will focus its upcoming 37th anniversary sales promotions around additional support for the nonprofit.
Maker Mask launched in March 2020 to help fill the critical need for high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization designed an open source 3D printable protective mask, approved by the National Institutes for Health (NIH), which is available for free download at makermask.com. Within a month, makers from around the world downloaded more than 125,000 free open-source computer aided design (CAD) files for printing the Maker Mask. The Maker Mask network currently supports a global community of nearly 10,000 members, each operating small batch production sites making masks for their local communities. The masks can be manufactured using commonly available materials and hobbyist-grade 3D printers for a cost of about $2.00 to $3.00 per unit for materials.
Laplink’s 37th anniversary occurs in May, and while the company was planning its annual celebration, Thomas Koll, Laplink’s CEO, suggested a different sort of celebration. A former Microsoft executive, he read an interesting article about Maker Mask published by the Microsoft Alumni Network and immediately saw an opportunity for his company to help a worthy cause.
“The world is at a critical tipping point in its battle with COVID-19, and at Laplink we want to do everything we can to support communities who are fighting to defeat this virus,” said Koll. “Not only are we donating now, but instead of our traditional anniversary activities, we’ll change the focus to supporting Maker Mask. Our hope is that we can drive more awareness of their important mission in addition to our financial support.”
According to Jonathan Roberts, leader of the Maker Mask Initiative, the donation will be used to offset some of the costs of mask-making materials and other operational expenses as the nonprofit organization continues to support the Maker Mask network.
“I’ve known Thomas for more than 30 years from the time when we worked together at Microsoft. I appreciate his support not only as the CEO of Laplink Software, but also as a friend. The COVID-19 pandemic is an ‘all hands on deck’ crisis and Maker Mask is thankful for the help that his company is applying to this part of the COVID-19 response,” said Roberts, co-founder of nonprofit RPrime and founding partner at Ignition Partners. “This donation will be very helpful as we work to provide support to the Maker Mask network of makers around the world. We believe that it's more important than ever before for us to build a global supply chain powered by community-based small batch production sites to ensure resiliency during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.”
While the article about Maker Mask that the Microsoft Alumni Network sent out was intended to highlight how former Microsoft employees are having a positive impact on their world, not as a request for financial support, everyone involved is happy how it turned out.
“During times of crisis, to make a big impact quickly, you must rely on your connections. The Microsoft Alumni Network is proud to facilitate alumni supporting fellow alumni – that’s the power of the Network,” said Ali Spain, Executive Director of the Microsoft Alumni Network. “In the case of Microsoft alumni Jonathan Roberts of Maker Mask and Thomas Koll of Laplink Software, we were able to facilitate a quick connection after Thomas read the story about the Maker Mask Initiative in our alumni news.”
To join Laplink’s support for Maker Mask, please donate here - https://store.laplink.com/59/purl-20200507-PR-LL37-MakerMask-MMgfm.
About Maker Mask
Maker Mask is a rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis. The nonprofit organization is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly to reduce the spread of disease, protect more people, lighten the burdens on medical facilities, the Department of Defense, and government agencies. The Maker Mask initiative gives people around the world something they can do to be part of the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic while the organization works toward its long-term goal of building and training local production capability for the future. Maker Mask is an RPrime Initiative and currently funded by the RPrime Foundation. The RPrime Foundation, co-founded by Jonathan Roberts, is a nonprofit digital platform connecting individuals to communities of all types including faith-based, education, government, NGO and all service organizations, to meet societal and community needs. Roberts is also a board member and investor in NavigatorCRE which is driving the powerful ViralInsights/NavigatorCRE data analysis and visualization platform that is an important part of the Maker Mask Initiative.
About Laplink Software, Inc.
For over 37 years, Laplink has been a global leader in consumer, SMB and enterprise PC migration software, and has earned the loyalty and trust of millions of organizations and customers worldwide. The company’s PCmover software saves time and budget, reduces migration risks and increases efficiency. Only PCmover’s proprietary technology includes full selectivity that transfers data, applications and settings from an old PC to a new one, even if the versions of Windows are different. The privately-held company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.
Contacts
Maker Mask Media Contact:
Megan McKenzie
McKenzie Worldwide
meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
503.625.3680
Laplink Media Contact:
Ashley Schulte
Connect2 Communications
Laplink@connect2comm.com
919.435.9112
Software company donates $10,000 to the production of respirator-style masks for public, government and frontline workers
May 07, 2020 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
SEATTLE & BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Laplink® Software, Inc., the global leader in PC migration and creator of the only software of its kind recommended by Microsoft®, Intel® and all major PC manufacturers, and Maker Mask, a nonprofit, rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis organized by leaders of technology, industry and government, today announced that the organizations are working together to boost the production of respirator-style masks for the public and essential workers. Laplink has donated $10,000 to Maker Mask to support this critical initiative – and will focus its upcoming 37th anniversary sales promotions around additional support for the nonprofit.
Maker Mask launched in March 2020 to help fill the critical need for high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization designed an open source 3D printable protective mask, approved by the National Institutes for Health (NIH), which is available for free download at makermask.com. Within a month, makers from around the world downloaded more than 125,000 free open-source computer aided design (CAD) files for printing the Maker Mask. The Maker Mask network currently supports a global community of nearly 10,000 members, each operating small batch production sites making masks for their local communities. The masks can be manufactured using commonly available materials and hobbyist-grade 3D printers for a cost of about $2.00 to $3.00 per unit for materials.
Laplink’s 37th anniversary occurs in May, and while the company was planning its annual celebration, Thomas Koll, Laplink’s CEO, suggested a different sort of celebration. A former Microsoft executive, he read an interesting article about Maker Mask published by the Microsoft Alumni Network and immediately saw an opportunity for his company to help a worthy cause.
“The world is at a critical tipping point in its battle with COVID-19, and at Laplink we want to do everything we can to support communities who are fighting to defeat this virus,” said Koll. “Not only are we donating now, but instead of our traditional anniversary activities, we’ll change the focus to supporting Maker Mask. Our hope is that we can drive more awareness of their important mission in addition to our financial support.”
According to Jonathan Roberts, leader of the Maker Mask Initiative, the donation will be used to offset some of the costs of mask-making materials and other operational expenses as the nonprofit organization continues to support the Maker Mask network.
“I’ve known Thomas for more than 30 years from the time when we worked together at Microsoft. I appreciate his support not only as the CEO of Laplink Software, but also as a friend. The COVID-19 pandemic is an ‘all hands on deck’ crisis and Maker Mask is thankful for the help that his company is applying to this part of the COVID-19 response,” said Roberts, co-founder of nonprofit RPrime and founding partner at Ignition Partners. “This donation will be very helpful as we work to provide support to the Maker Mask network of makers around the world. We believe that it's more important than ever before for us to build a global supply chain powered by community-based small batch production sites to ensure resiliency during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.”
While the article about Maker Mask that the Microsoft Alumni Network sent out was intended to highlight how former Microsoft employees are having a positive impact on their world, not as a request for financial support, everyone involved is happy how it turned out.
“During times of crisis, to make a big impact quickly, you must rely on your connections. The Microsoft Alumni Network is proud to facilitate alumni supporting fellow alumni – that’s the power of the Network,” said Ali Spain, Executive Director of the Microsoft Alumni Network. “In the case of Microsoft alumni Jonathan Roberts of Maker Mask and Thomas Koll of Laplink Software, we were able to facilitate a quick connection after Thomas read the story about the Maker Mask Initiative in our alumni news.”
To join Laplink’s support for Maker Mask, please donate here - https://store.laplink.com/59/purl-20200507-PR-LL37-MakerMask-MMgfm.
About Maker Mask
Maker Mask is a rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis. The nonprofit organization is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly to reduce the spread of disease, protect more people, lighten the burdens on medical facilities, the Department of Defense, and government agencies. The Maker Mask initiative gives people around the world something they can do to be part of the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic while the organization works toward its long-term goal of building and training local production capability for the future. Maker Mask is an RPrime Initiative and currently funded by the RPrime Foundation. The RPrime Foundation, co-founded by Jonathan Roberts, is a nonprofit digital platform connecting individuals to communities of all types including faith-based, education, government, NGO and all service organizations, to meet societal and community needs. Roberts is also a board member and investor in NavigatorCRE which is driving the powerful ViralInsights/NavigatorCRE data analysis and visualization platform that is an important part of the Maker Mask Initiative.
About Laplink Software, Inc.
For over 37 years, Laplink has been a global leader in consumer, SMB and enterprise PC migration software, and has earned the loyalty and trust of millions of organizations and customers worldwide. The company’s PCmover software saves time and budget, reduces migration risks and increases efficiency. Only PCmover’s proprietary technology includes full selectivity that transfers data, applications and settings from an old PC to a new one, even if the versions of Windows are different. The privately-held company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.
Contacts
Maker Mask Media Contact:
Megan McKenzie
McKenzie Worldwide
meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
503.625.3680
Laplink Media Contact:
Ashley Schulte
Connect2 Communications
Laplink@connect2comm.com
919.435.9112
Maker Mask partners with pi-top enabling schools to fight COVID-19 with 3D-printable respirator masks
Edtech company pi-top has created lesson plans that teach users how to make a 3D printable NIH-approved respirator mask, using readily available materials found at local hardware stores
Austin, Texas, May 5, 2020 - pi-top, creators of computing devices that combine digital making, coding, and practical projects, today announced their partnership with Maker Mask. The collaboration comes as a result of both organizations’ goal to give teachers, students and makers everywhere the ability to make a positive impact on their communities by 3D printing respirator-style masks for those in need.
Schools around the world use pi-top to teach core STEM skills in coding, robotics and AI. Teaming with Maker Mask, pi-top has released a video content series that teaches 3D printing. Detailed lesson plans on the fundamentals of 3D printing and how to 3D print the Maker Mask can be found on Further, pi-top’s online learning space.
As a response to the desperate need for locally sourced personal protective equipment (PPE), the Maker Mask team has created the first National Institutes of Health (NIH)-approved, open-source 3D printable mask which is available for free download at makermask.com. More than 10,000 makers around the world are using their 3D printers and the Maker Mask design to make protective respirator-style masks at small batch production sites in 145 countries. Printing one of the Maker Mask masks takes about four hours and has the equivalent lifetime use of 300 N95 masks.
“We’re proud to partner with pi-top to teach kids valuable hands-on 3D printing skills so they can make Maker Masks. The Maker Mask Initiative is a grassroots response to the COVID-19 crisis and it’s an all hands-on-deck effort that can also empower motivated kids to be part of the solution,” said Jonathan Roberts, leader of the Maker Mask Initiative, co-founder of RPrime, and founding partner of Ignition Partners. "It's wonderful that pi-top is taking this opportunity to teach kids valuable skills and allowing them to make a real contribution to supporting the front line workers, who are the true heroes of this COVID-19 crisis."
With the Maker Mask project, pi-top are adding to a previous world-first in the realm of 3D printing. Founders Jesse Lozano and Ryan Dunwoody created the first 3D printable laptop in 2014, as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2017.
Jesse Lozano, pi-top’s co-founder and CEO, said, “We have always been on the forefront of 3D printing and when the opportunity to join together with Maker Mask was presented we, of course, jumped in with both feet. For six years we have championed the ability of makers everywhere to positively affect education and the world around them. By completing this Maker Mask learning pathway, teachers, students and makers everywhere can help save lives in the face of this unprecedented global threat.”
The first video will be available beginning today on Maker Mask’s website. For more information on the partnership, and instructions on how to be part of this innovative solution visit pi-top.com/MakerMask
About pi-top
pi-top began in 2014 with the world’s first 3D printed Raspberry Pi laptop aimed at enabling people all over the world to make their own technology, rather than simply consuming it. Our mission is to inspire the makers of tomorrow to solve the global challenges of today, so that they can use technology to have a positive impact on the world. We do this by fusing STEAM, entrepreneurship and social values to unlock the innovation mindset that we believe resides in everyone. With our ever-expanding universe of products, we deliver unparalleled learning by making experiences that are fun, engaging and produce high-impact results.
About Maker Mask
Maker Mask is a rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis. The nonprofit organization is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly to reduce the spread of disease, protect more people, lighten the burdens on medical facilities, the Department of Defense, and government agencies. The Maker Mask initiative gives people around the world something they can do to be part of the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic while the organization works toward its long-term goal of building and training local production capability for the future. Maker Mask is an RPrime Initiative and currently funded by the RPrime Foundation.
The RPrime Foundation, co-founded by Jonathan Roberts, is a nonprofit digital platform connecting individuals to communities of all types including faith-based, education, government, NGO and all service organizations, to meet societal and community needs. Roberts is also a board member and investor in NavigatorCRE which is driving the powerful ViralInsights/NavigatorCRE data analysis and visualization platform that is an important part of the Maker Mask initiative.
Media Contacts
pi-top
For more information or interviews with Jesse Lozano, please contact:
US enquiries
Ross Romano, MindRocket Media Group
rromano@mindrocketglobal.com
UK enquiries
Andrea Buforn
andrea@pi-top.com
Maker Mask
For more information or interviews with Jonathan Roberts, please contact Megan McKenzie, McKenzie Worldwide for Maker Mask at meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com.
Edtech company pi-top has created lesson plans that teach users how to make a 3D printable NIH-approved respirator mask, using readily available materials found at local hardware stores
Austin, Texas, May 5, 2020 - pi-top, creators of computing devices that combine digital making, coding, and practical projects, today announced their partnership with Maker Mask. The collaboration comes as a result of both organizations’ goal to give teachers, students and makers everywhere the ability to make a positive impact on their communities by 3D printing respirator-style masks for those in need.
Schools around the world use pi-top to teach core STEM skills in coding, robotics and AI. Teaming with Maker Mask, pi-top has released a video content series that teaches 3D printing. Detailed lesson plans on the fundamentals of 3D printing and how to 3D print the Maker Mask can be found on Further, pi-top’s online learning space.
As a response to the desperate need for locally sourced personal protective equipment (PPE), the Maker Mask team has created the first National Institutes of Health (NIH)-approved, open-source 3D printable mask which is available for free download at makermask.com. More than 10,000 makers around the world are using their 3D printers and the Maker Mask design to make protective respirator-style masks at small batch production sites in 145 countries. Printing one of the Maker Mask masks takes about four hours and has the equivalent lifetime use of 300 N95 masks.
“We’re proud to partner with pi-top to teach kids valuable hands-on 3D printing skills so they can make Maker Masks. The Maker Mask Initiative is a grassroots response to the COVID-19 crisis and it’s an all hands-on-deck effort that can also empower motivated kids to be part of the solution,” said Jonathan Roberts, leader of the Maker Mask Initiative, co-founder of RPrime, and founding partner of Ignition Partners. "It's wonderful that pi-top is taking this opportunity to teach kids valuable skills and allowing them to make a real contribution to supporting the front line workers, who are the true heroes of this COVID-19 crisis."
With the Maker Mask project, pi-top are adding to a previous world-first in the realm of 3D printing. Founders Jesse Lozano and Ryan Dunwoody created the first 3D printable laptop in 2014, as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2017.
Jesse Lozano, pi-top’s co-founder and CEO, said, “We have always been on the forefront of 3D printing and when the opportunity to join together with Maker Mask was presented we, of course, jumped in with both feet. For six years we have championed the ability of makers everywhere to positively affect education and the world around them. By completing this Maker Mask learning pathway, teachers, students and makers everywhere can help save lives in the face of this unprecedented global threat.”
The first video will be available beginning today on Maker Mask’s website. For more information on the partnership, and instructions on how to be part of this innovative solution visit pi-top.com/MakerMask
About pi-top
pi-top began in 2014 with the world’s first 3D printed Raspberry Pi laptop aimed at enabling people all over the world to make their own technology, rather than simply consuming it. Our mission is to inspire the makers of tomorrow to solve the global challenges of today, so that they can use technology to have a positive impact on the world. We do this by fusing STEAM, entrepreneurship and social values to unlock the innovation mindset that we believe resides in everyone. With our ever-expanding universe of products, we deliver unparalleled learning by making experiences that are fun, engaging and produce high-impact results.
About Maker Mask
Maker Mask is a rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis. The nonprofit organization is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly to reduce the spread of disease, protect more people, lighten the burdens on medical facilities, the Department of Defense, and government agencies. The Maker Mask initiative gives people around the world something they can do to be part of the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic while the organization works toward its long-term goal of building and training local production capability for the future. Maker Mask is an RPrime Initiative and currently funded by the RPrime Foundation.
The RPrime Foundation, co-founded by Jonathan Roberts, is a nonprofit digital platform connecting individuals to communities of all types including faith-based, education, government, NGO and all service organizations, to meet societal and community needs. Roberts is also a board member and investor in NavigatorCRE which is driving the powerful ViralInsights/NavigatorCRE data analysis and visualization platform that is an important part of the Maker Mask initiative.
Media Contacts
pi-top
For more information or interviews with Jesse Lozano, please contact:
US enquiries
Ross Romano, MindRocket Media Group
rromano@mindrocketglobal.com
UK enquiries
Andrea Buforn
andrea@pi-top.com
Maker Mask
For more information or interviews with Jonathan Roberts, please contact Megan McKenzie, McKenzie Worldwide for Maker Mask at meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com.
Maker Mask’s COVID-19 Response Network of Nearly 10,000 Makers Delivering National Institutes of Health-Approved Protective Masks to Communities Worldwide
Community-based 3D printing makers mobilize to solve PPE shortage, helping protect police, fire and rescue, and other critical essential service providers from COVID-19 virus
SEATTLE, April 29, 2020 – Maker Mask, a nonprofit, rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis organized by leaders in technology, industry, and government, today announced that the organization’s network of nearly 10,000 members operating small batch production sites have been manufacturing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-approved masks using 3D printers and delivering them to local communities across the U.S. and around the world. In addition, the organization is building a global supply chain to empower community-based production capability for the future.
“It has been an action-packed month for the Maker Mask team. It’s been amazing and humbling to see the large number of makers around the world downloading our 3D printable mask designs and joining the Maker Mask Movement to help people during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Jonathan Roberts, co-founder of nonprofit RPrime and founding partner at venture capital firm Ignition Partners. “Rory Larson, the inventor of the Maker Mask, has developed new versions of the mask and we’re pursuing additional NIH approval on those models as well. We’re also expanding our catalog of NIH-approved devices and welcome submissions of other COVID19-related items to highlight on our digital platform. We’re looking forward to giving everyone an update on these milestones during our webinar on Thursday this week.”
During the past month since the makermask.com website was launched on March 30, nearly 10,000 members from 5,196 maker/hobbyist communities, 185 healthcare organizations, 149 universities, 140 companies, 58 government agencies, 116 nonprofits, and 258 other groups have downloaded more than 125,000 free open-source computer aided design (CAD) files for printing the Maker Mask. People from 145 countries have visited the website resulting in nearly 655,000 global website page views.
Seattle Academy’s Dean of Innovations Lysie Taylor said, “We’re thrilled to be working with Maker Mask and partnering with the experts at their small batch production hub at Epiphany Parish to launch our own site. They’ve provided valuable advice about how to fine-tune our production processes and helped organize our volunteers. Creating a production line at the school has been a great hands-on experience for our senior volunteers who are facing an uncertain future due to the COVID19 pandemic.”
The current Maker Mask design is approved by the NIH for all general community applications outside of the direct healthcare setting including front-line essential service providers such as Police/Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue and other Emergency Response service providers. In addition, the Maker Mask is approved for use by essential workers providing groceries, delivery, transportation, and other supporting services. Since the Maker Mask is designed with replaceable HEPA filters, the mask can be re-used simply by replacing a filter and sanitizing the mask. Typical usage patterns show that during a two month period a person would use only one reusable Maker Mask instead of using and throwing away 300 to 400 disposable N95 masks during the same time period. Due to the demand for mask-making materials, the build of materials for the Maker Mask is now included on the list of essential materials on Amazon.com.
Maker Mask will host a webinar on Thursday, April 30 starting at 2 pm Pacific/5 pm Eastern focused on small batch PPE production and Maker Mask’s COVID-19 data analysis and visualization platform. Register here. For more information, visit makermask.com.
During the past month, the Maker Mask Initiative has received more than $100,000 in donations to help offset the costs of mask-making materials and to further develop the platform. To make a donation, visit https://www.makermask.com/donate.html
About Maker Mask
Maker Mask is a rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis. The nonprofit organization is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly to reduce the spread of disease, protect more people, lighten the burdens on medical facilities, the Department of Defense, and government agencies. The Maker Mask initiative gives people around the world something they can do to be part of the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic while the organization works toward its long-term goal of building and training local production capability for the future. Maker Mask is an RPrime Initiative and currently funded by the RPrime Foundation. The RPrime Foundation, co-founded by Jonathan Roberts, is a nonprofit digital platform connecting individuals to communities of all types including faith-based, education, government, NGO and all service organizations, to meet societal and community needs. Roberts is also a board member and investor in NavigatorCRE which is driving the powerful ViralInsights/NavigatorCRE data analysis and visualization platform that is an important part of the Maker Mask initiative.
Media Contact
Megan McKenzie
McKenzie Worldwide
meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
+1 503.470.0197 (mobile)
+1 503.625.3680 (office)
Community-based 3D printing makers mobilize to solve PPE shortage, helping protect police, fire and rescue, and other critical essential service providers from COVID-19 virus
SEATTLE, April 29, 2020 – Maker Mask, a nonprofit, rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis organized by leaders in technology, industry, and government, today announced that the organization’s network of nearly 10,000 members operating small batch production sites have been manufacturing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-approved masks using 3D printers and delivering them to local communities across the U.S. and around the world. In addition, the organization is building a global supply chain to empower community-based production capability for the future.
“It has been an action-packed month for the Maker Mask team. It’s been amazing and humbling to see the large number of makers around the world downloading our 3D printable mask designs and joining the Maker Mask Movement to help people during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Jonathan Roberts, co-founder of nonprofit RPrime and founding partner at venture capital firm Ignition Partners. “Rory Larson, the inventor of the Maker Mask, has developed new versions of the mask and we’re pursuing additional NIH approval on those models as well. We’re also expanding our catalog of NIH-approved devices and welcome submissions of other COVID19-related items to highlight on our digital platform. We’re looking forward to giving everyone an update on these milestones during our webinar on Thursday this week.”
During the past month since the makermask.com website was launched on March 30, nearly 10,000 members from 5,196 maker/hobbyist communities, 185 healthcare organizations, 149 universities, 140 companies, 58 government agencies, 116 nonprofits, and 258 other groups have downloaded more than 125,000 free open-source computer aided design (CAD) files for printing the Maker Mask. People from 145 countries have visited the website resulting in nearly 655,000 global website page views.
Seattle Academy’s Dean of Innovations Lysie Taylor said, “We’re thrilled to be working with Maker Mask and partnering with the experts at their small batch production hub at Epiphany Parish to launch our own site. They’ve provided valuable advice about how to fine-tune our production processes and helped organize our volunteers. Creating a production line at the school has been a great hands-on experience for our senior volunteers who are facing an uncertain future due to the COVID19 pandemic.”
The current Maker Mask design is approved by the NIH for all general community applications outside of the direct healthcare setting including front-line essential service providers such as Police/Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue and other Emergency Response service providers. In addition, the Maker Mask is approved for use by essential workers providing groceries, delivery, transportation, and other supporting services. Since the Maker Mask is designed with replaceable HEPA filters, the mask can be re-used simply by replacing a filter and sanitizing the mask. Typical usage patterns show that during a two month period a person would use only one reusable Maker Mask instead of using and throwing away 300 to 400 disposable N95 masks during the same time period. Due to the demand for mask-making materials, the build of materials for the Maker Mask is now included on the list of essential materials on Amazon.com.
Maker Mask will host a webinar on Thursday, April 30 starting at 2 pm Pacific/5 pm Eastern focused on small batch PPE production and Maker Mask’s COVID-19 data analysis and visualization platform. Register here. For more information, visit makermask.com.
During the past month, the Maker Mask Initiative has received more than $100,000 in donations to help offset the costs of mask-making materials and to further develop the platform. To make a donation, visit https://www.makermask.com/donate.html
About Maker Mask
Maker Mask is a rapidly-growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis. The nonprofit organization is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly to reduce the spread of disease, protect more people, lighten the burdens on medical facilities, the Department of Defense, and government agencies. The Maker Mask initiative gives people around the world something they can do to be part of the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic while the organization works toward its long-term goal of building and training local production capability for the future. Maker Mask is an RPrime Initiative and currently funded by the RPrime Foundation. The RPrime Foundation, co-founded by Jonathan Roberts, is a nonprofit digital platform connecting individuals to communities of all types including faith-based, education, government, NGO and all service organizations, to meet societal and community needs. Roberts is also a board member and investor in NavigatorCRE which is driving the powerful ViralInsights/NavigatorCRE data analysis and visualization platform that is an important part of the Maker Mask initiative.
Media Contact
Megan McKenzie
McKenzie Worldwide
meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
+1 503.470.0197 (mobile)
+1 503.625.3680 (office)
National Institutes of Health Approves Maker Mask for
Use in All General Communities During COVID-19 Pandemic
Police, law enforcement, fire and rescue, and other critical essential service providers
on the front line fighting COVID-19 need protective mask supply to solve PPE shortage
SEATTLE, April 14, 2020 – Maker Mask, a nonprofit, rapidly growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis organized by leaders in technology, industry, and government, today announced that the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of the world's foremost medical research centers, approved the Maker Mask design last week for use in all general community applications for protection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Maker Mask design, an open source 3D printable protective mask for use during the COVID-19 crisis, has been approved by the NIH for all general community applications outside of the direct healthcare setting and this approval benefits critical front-line essential service providers including: Police/Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue and other Emergency Response service providers. In addition, the NIH states that the Maker Mask is also a great option for essential service resources providing our communities with food and other needed supplies including grocery, delivery, transportation and other supporting services. For more information, visit https://3dprint.nih.gov/discover/3dpx-013607
“We are extremely pleased that the NIH has officially approved Maker Mask for use in all general communities including front-line essential services,” said Jonathan Roberts, co-founder of nonprofit RPrime which is the sponsor of the Maker Mask Initiative, and founding partner at Ignition Partners, a venture capital firm based in Bellevue, Washington. “All of us rely on our hardworking police and law enforcement organizations, fire and rescue, and other emergency response service organizations to provide vital food, delivery, transportation and other services to our local communities. These workers are on the front lines of this battle against the COVID-19 virus and need protective masks to keep healthy. The Maker Mask team is working around the clock to mobilize small batch production sites across the country and around the world so we can help everyone who is in dire need of masks on a daily basis - no matter what front line they are so heroically defending.”
According to Rory Larson, Maker Mask’s chief engineer and inventor of the mask, “Our goal when we launched Maker Mask was simple: to get a free, open source high-quality respirator mask design out to the millions of 3D printing enthusiasts across the nation and around the world – even if they own an entry level $200 3D printer – so they could create desperately needed masks using commonly available supplies and materials. That’s why I designed the mask as the first over mouth mask of its kind (now approved by the NIH) specifically designed to work for widely available 3D printers that most commonly print using polylactic acid filament, better known as PLA. The NIH approval is great in that we now can get our mask into the hands of more of the first responders and frontline workers who need them.”
During the past few days since the makermask.com website was launched on March 30, the number of people joining the Maker Mask Movement has accelerated. People from more than 117 countries have viewed the website resulting in more than 414,000 pageviews. More than 7,500 members from maker/hobbyist communities, healthcare organizations, universities, companies, government agencies, and other groups have signed up to download more than 38,000 computer aided design (CAD) files for printing the masks. These mask designs and specifications files are being provided free of charge by Maker Mask to anyone who wants to build these protective respirator-style masks to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Small batch production sites making Maker Masks are rapidly going into operation across the U.S. and globally. For more information, visit makermask.com.
The Maker Mask digital platform, driven by powerful analytics providing valuable data to an ecosystem of users responding to this crisis, is designed to enable, organize, and coordinate the action of thousands of people at organizations of all types and sizes as well as individual makers working at small batch production sites around the world.
Maker Mask is a rapidly growing grassroots ecosystem response to the COVID-19 crisis. The nonprofit organization is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly to lessen the spread of disease, protect more people, reduce burdens on medical facilities, the Department of Defense, and government agencies as well as give people around the world. something they can do to be part of the solution to this pandemic, while building and training capability for the future. Maker Mask is an RPrime Initiative. The RPrime Foundation is a nonprofit online platform designed to bring together groups of different traditions or beliefs so they may build productive relationships of mutual respect.
Megan McKenzie
McKenzie Worldwide
meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
+1 503.470.0197 (mobile)
+1 503.625.3680 (office)
Use in All General Communities During COVID-19 Pandemic
Police, law enforcement, fire and rescue, and other critical essential service providers
on the front line fighting COVID-19 need protective mask supply to solve PPE shortage
SEATTLE, April 14, 2020 – Maker Mask, a nonprofit, rapidly growing grassroots ecosystem and digital platform response to the COVID-19 crisis organized by leaders in technology, industry, and government, today announced that the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of the world's foremost medical research centers, approved the Maker Mask design last week for use in all general community applications for protection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Maker Mask design, an open source 3D printable protective mask for use during the COVID-19 crisis, has been approved by the NIH for all general community applications outside of the direct healthcare setting and this approval benefits critical front-line essential service providers including: Police/Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue and other Emergency Response service providers. In addition, the NIH states that the Maker Mask is also a great option for essential service resources providing our communities with food and other needed supplies including grocery, delivery, transportation and other supporting services. For more information, visit https://3dprint.nih.gov/discover/3dpx-013607
“We are extremely pleased that the NIH has officially approved Maker Mask for use in all general communities including front-line essential services,” said Jonathan Roberts, co-founder of nonprofit RPrime which is the sponsor of the Maker Mask Initiative, and founding partner at Ignition Partners, a venture capital firm based in Bellevue, Washington. “All of us rely on our hardworking police and law enforcement organizations, fire and rescue, and other emergency response service organizations to provide vital food, delivery, transportation and other services to our local communities. These workers are on the front lines of this battle against the COVID-19 virus and need protective masks to keep healthy. The Maker Mask team is working around the clock to mobilize small batch production sites across the country and around the world so we can help everyone who is in dire need of masks on a daily basis - no matter what front line they are so heroically defending.”
According to Rory Larson, Maker Mask’s chief engineer and inventor of the mask, “Our goal when we launched Maker Mask was simple: to get a free, open source high-quality respirator mask design out to the millions of 3D printing enthusiasts across the nation and around the world – even if they own an entry level $200 3D printer – so they could create desperately needed masks using commonly available supplies and materials. That’s why I designed the mask as the first over mouth mask of its kind (now approved by the NIH) specifically designed to work for widely available 3D printers that most commonly print using polylactic acid filament, better known as PLA. The NIH approval is great in that we now can get our mask into the hands of more of the first responders and frontline workers who need them.”
During the past few days since the makermask.com website was launched on March 30, the number of people joining the Maker Mask Movement has accelerated. People from more than 117 countries have viewed the website resulting in more than 414,000 pageviews. More than 7,500 members from maker/hobbyist communities, healthcare organizations, universities, companies, government agencies, and other groups have signed up to download more than 38,000 computer aided design (CAD) files for printing the masks. These mask designs and specifications files are being provided free of charge by Maker Mask to anyone who wants to build these protective respirator-style masks to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Small batch production sites making Maker Masks are rapidly going into operation across the U.S. and globally. For more information, visit makermask.com.
The Maker Mask digital platform, driven by powerful analytics providing valuable data to an ecosystem of users responding to this crisis, is designed to enable, organize, and coordinate the action of thousands of people at organizations of all types and sizes as well as individual makers working at small batch production sites around the world.
Maker Mask is a rapidly growing grassroots ecosystem response to the COVID-19 crisis. The nonprofit organization is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly to lessen the spread of disease, protect more people, reduce burdens on medical facilities, the Department of Defense, and government agencies as well as give people around the world. something they can do to be part of the solution to this pandemic, while building and training capability for the future. Maker Mask is an RPrime Initiative. The RPrime Foundation is a nonprofit online platform designed to bring together groups of different traditions or beliefs so they may build productive relationships of mutual respect.
Megan McKenzie
McKenzie Worldwide
meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
+1 503.470.0197 (mobile)
+1 503.625.3680 (office)
Maker Mask Responds to COVID-19 Pandemic by Enabling Small Batch Production Sites Around the World to Produce Protective Masks
More than 88,500 pageviews, 1,500 downloads of designs for 3D printer masks in 48 hours
SEATTLE, April 1, 2020 – Maker Mask, a nonprofit initiative organized by leaders in technology, industry, and government, today announced significant and positive worldwide response to the group’s designs for producing the Maker Mask, a medically reviewed and Open Source 3D printable protective mask for use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Small batch production sites in communities in 88 countries around the world have visited the makermask.com website and many are using the free designs and specifications for printing the 3D printer protective masks.
More than 88,500 pageviews have occurred by more than 20,000 visitors on the makermask.com website during the past 48 hours to get information about the masks and more than 1,500 people from maker/hobbyist communities, healthcare organizations, universities, companies, and the government have downloaded the designs and specifications for the Maker Mask.
“The response to the Maker Mask has been incredible. We’re seeing interest in the mask from a diverse mix of people and organizations around the world who are seeking protect their health during this global pandemic. The Maker Mask launch is a grassroots ‘ecosystem initiative’ to help people during this global pandemic. What we’re trying to do is to provide enough coherency with our digital platform to enable and coordinate the action of tens of thousands of people and organizations, without providing too much structure that would inhibit their actions or compromise their full ownership of their own production,” said Jonathan Roberts, co-founder of nonprofit RPrime and founding partner at Ignition Partners, a venture capital firm
based in Bellevue, Washington. “We’re striking a balance between helping to organize and coordinate efforts while at the same time unleashing the animal spirits and innovation of people around the world, in organizations of all types and sizes, and individuals working on their own. The common link is that they are all trying to do the right thing. They are all focused on equipping the true heroes, those on the front lines of confronting COVID-19, with the equipment they need to be safe and effective.”
During the past 24 hours, interest in makermask.com has jumped from four countries to 88 countries and continues to accelerate with small batch production sites rapidly going into operation across the U.S. and globally.
“The global downloads that we’re seeing show strong interest and download requests coming from across the U.S., all of the Western European countries, North Africa, the Middle East and a total of 88 countries and 69 languages,” said Taylor Odegard, CEO at NavigatorCRE, who is in charge of data science and digital logistics for the site. “These analytics really demonstrate the power of our digital platform that is providing valuable data and CAD models to an ecosystem of users responding to this crisis,”
The Maker Mask, developed by inventor Rory Larson, can be manufactured using commonly available materials and hobbyist grade 3D printers for a cost of about $2 to $3 each for materials. The design allows CAD-based 3D mask printing to be combined with readily available, replaceable components such as weather stripping, elastic, and vacuum cleaner bags. The mask is re-usable, has replaceable filters, and heat-molds to each wearer’s individual face for an airtight fit. Because it is reusable by just changing the filter, one Maker Mask is the equivalent of 300 disposable masks over a two month period. The Maker Masks are nearing NIH approval and a patent for the design is pending.
For more information about Maker Mask and how to make these masks, please join the webinar to be held on Thursday, April 2 at 1:00 pm PST. To register, please visit makermask.com.
The Maker Mask initiative is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly to lessen the spread of disease, protect more people, reduce burdens on medical facilities/Department of Defense/governments, and give people around the world something they can do to be part of the solution to this pandemic, while building and training capability for the future.
###
Megan McKenzie
McKenzie Worldwide
meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
+1 503.470.0197 (mobile)
+1 503.625.3680 (office)
More than 88,500 pageviews, 1,500 downloads of designs for 3D printer masks in 48 hours
SEATTLE, April 1, 2020 – Maker Mask, a nonprofit initiative organized by leaders in technology, industry, and government, today announced significant and positive worldwide response to the group’s designs for producing the Maker Mask, a medically reviewed and Open Source 3D printable protective mask for use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Small batch production sites in communities in 88 countries around the world have visited the makermask.com website and many are using the free designs and specifications for printing the 3D printer protective masks.
More than 88,500 pageviews have occurred by more than 20,000 visitors on the makermask.com website during the past 48 hours to get information about the masks and more than 1,500 people from maker/hobbyist communities, healthcare organizations, universities, companies, and the government have downloaded the designs and specifications for the Maker Mask.
“The response to the Maker Mask has been incredible. We’re seeing interest in the mask from a diverse mix of people and organizations around the world who are seeking protect their health during this global pandemic. The Maker Mask launch is a grassroots ‘ecosystem initiative’ to help people during this global pandemic. What we’re trying to do is to provide enough coherency with our digital platform to enable and coordinate the action of tens of thousands of people and organizations, without providing too much structure that would inhibit their actions or compromise their full ownership of their own production,” said Jonathan Roberts, co-founder of nonprofit RPrime and founding partner at Ignition Partners, a venture capital firm
based in Bellevue, Washington. “We’re striking a balance between helping to organize and coordinate efforts while at the same time unleashing the animal spirits and innovation of people around the world, in organizations of all types and sizes, and individuals working on their own. The common link is that they are all trying to do the right thing. They are all focused on equipping the true heroes, those on the front lines of confronting COVID-19, with the equipment they need to be safe and effective.”
During the past 24 hours, interest in makermask.com has jumped from four countries to 88 countries and continues to accelerate with small batch production sites rapidly going into operation across the U.S. and globally.
“The global downloads that we’re seeing show strong interest and download requests coming from across the U.S., all of the Western European countries, North Africa, the Middle East and a total of 88 countries and 69 languages,” said Taylor Odegard, CEO at NavigatorCRE, who is in charge of data science and digital logistics for the site. “These analytics really demonstrate the power of our digital platform that is providing valuable data and CAD models to an ecosystem of users responding to this crisis,”
The Maker Mask, developed by inventor Rory Larson, can be manufactured using commonly available materials and hobbyist grade 3D printers for a cost of about $2 to $3 each for materials. The design allows CAD-based 3D mask printing to be combined with readily available, replaceable components such as weather stripping, elastic, and vacuum cleaner bags. The mask is re-usable, has replaceable filters, and heat-molds to each wearer’s individual face for an airtight fit. Because it is reusable by just changing the filter, one Maker Mask is the equivalent of 300 disposable masks over a two month period. The Maker Masks are nearing NIH approval and a patent for the design is pending.
For more information about Maker Mask and how to make these masks, please join the webinar to be held on Thursday, April 2 at 1:00 pm PST. To register, please visit makermask.com.
The Maker Mask initiative is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly to lessen the spread of disease, protect more people, reduce burdens on medical facilities/Department of Defense/governments, and give people around the world something they can do to be part of the solution to this pandemic, while building and training capability for the future.
###
Megan McKenzie
McKenzie Worldwide
meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
+1 503.470.0197 (mobile)
+1 503.625.3680 (office)
Technology Leaders, Designer Launch Maker Mask Initiative to Offer Medically Reviewed Design for 3D Printing of Protective Masks to Assist with COVID-19 Response
Grassroots effort mobilizes community-based small batch production of masks to fill PPE shortages
SEATTLE, March 30, 2020 – Maker Mask, a nonprofit initiative organized by leaders in technology, industry, and government, today announced the availability of a medically-reviewed design for 3D printer protective masks to help fill the critical need for high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the COVID-19 pandemic using community-based, small batch production.
Maker Mask is making these respirator-style masks available to the public and government free-of-charge through an open source model. Developed by Rory Larson, inventor of Maker Mask, the masks can be manufactured using commonly available materials and hobbyist grade 3D printers for a cost of about $2.00 to $3.00 per unit for materials.
Building on the concept of a wide network of community-based manufacturing operations as a powerful tool for assisting in COVID-19 response efforts, Maker Mask has launched a crowd-sourcing pilot in Seattle. Equipped with 20 3D printers – with 20 more 3D printers to be operational within days --and supplies, the team is operating 24 hours a day manufacturing masks and will be making nearly 1,000 masks per week by Friday. Soon hundreds of small batch production sites are expected to be operating across the country.
The Maker Mask team is being led by Jonathan Roberts, co-founder of nonprofit RPrime which is funding the Maker Mask initiative. He is also a founder and partner at Ignition Partners, a venture capital firm based in Bellevue, Washington. Roberts recognized the potential for the Maker Mask concept to unleash the power of 3D printing across the public and private sectors. He quickly formed a group of leaders in industry, government, and technology to proliferate Larson’s design and to promote community production.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is an all-hands-on-deck crisis. It feels good to be able to take action and start getting respirators to clinicians, first responders, and essential service workers. Sophisticated hobbyists with a $300 3D Printer can get a respirator to their neighbors within hours,” said Roberts. “To help this effort scale, we’re establishing a strong ecosystem and a network of small batch production sites that will support tremendous production potential. It’s an opportunity for everyone from individuals, hospitals, communities, churches, schools, industry, to government organizations to cooperate and respond to this critical need. People who would like to help with this effort and need mask designs should go to the MakerMask.com website.”
The Maker Mask team, in collaboration with a rapidly growing ecosystem of outstanding organizations including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), America Makes, getusppe.org, InfraGard National, Matter Hackers, Nation of Makers, MITRE, Teach for America, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Military, Whiteford Taylor & Preston, and several other organizations and corporate partners, is working to address the nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment.
Maker Mask – Reviewed and endorsed by medical professionals
The Maker Mask is an open-source 3D printable mask and has been reviewed and endorsed by members of the medical community. The design allows CAD-based 3D mask printing to be combined with readily available, replaceable components such as weather stripping, elastic, and vacuum cleaner bags. The mask is re-usable, has replaceable filters, and heat-molds to each wearer’s individual face for an airtight fit. Because it is reusable by just changing the filter, one Maker Mask is the equivalent of 300 disposable masks over a two month period.
“I wanted to help with the COVID-19 response,” said Larson. “I’m good at 3D printing design and wanted to apply my skills to see if I could address the lack of masks issue. This mask is easy to make with a common hobbyist 3D printer yet closely matches the functionality of commercial masks.”
The Maker Masks are nearing NIH approval. In addition, several doctors in the Seattle area have endorsed the Maker Mask including Xuan Qin, PhD, D(ABMM), a professor of Laboratory Medicine at University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
The first set of masks are currently being used at Seattle Children’s Hospital, which has given provisional medical approval for these masks to be used by lab technicians processing samples.
Dr. Qin called Maker Mask, “nicely designed,” and “really useful” for laboratory technicians who process patient specimens for COVID-19. Dr Qin said that the mask “will help solve shortages of personal protective equipment.” She is overseeing a clinical study and has already deployed the masks to help fill a critical need.
People interested in learning more about the Maker Mask initiative and how to make these masks should join an educational webinar to be held on Thursday, April 2 at 1:00 pm PST. More information is available at www.makermask.com. The group designed the digital media platform to be a place where interested parties can collaborate, coordinate, and access information about the mask design, training, components, and production instructions. Maker Mask is receiving funding from nonprofit corporate sponsors through the RPrime Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. A patent for Maker Mask is pending.
The Maker Mask, a rapidly growing grassroots ecosystem response to the COVID-19 crisis. Maker Mask is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly will lessen the spread of disease, protect more people, reduce burdens on medical facilities/Department of Defense/governments, and give Americans something they can do to be part of the solution to this pandemic, while building and training capability for the future.
Megan McKenzie
McKenzie Worldwide meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
+1 503.470.0197 (mobile)
+1 503.625.3680 (office)
Grassroots effort mobilizes community-based small batch production of masks to fill PPE shortages
SEATTLE, March 30, 2020 – Maker Mask, a nonprofit initiative organized by leaders in technology, industry, and government, today announced the availability of a medically-reviewed design for 3D printer protective masks to help fill the critical need for high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the COVID-19 pandemic using community-based, small batch production.
Maker Mask is making these respirator-style masks available to the public and government free-of-charge through an open source model. Developed by Rory Larson, inventor of Maker Mask, the masks can be manufactured using commonly available materials and hobbyist grade 3D printers for a cost of about $2.00 to $3.00 per unit for materials.
Building on the concept of a wide network of community-based manufacturing operations as a powerful tool for assisting in COVID-19 response efforts, Maker Mask has launched a crowd-sourcing pilot in Seattle. Equipped with 20 3D printers – with 20 more 3D printers to be operational within days --and supplies, the team is operating 24 hours a day manufacturing masks and will be making nearly 1,000 masks per week by Friday. Soon hundreds of small batch production sites are expected to be operating across the country.
The Maker Mask team is being led by Jonathan Roberts, co-founder of nonprofit RPrime which is funding the Maker Mask initiative. He is also a founder and partner at Ignition Partners, a venture capital firm based in Bellevue, Washington. Roberts recognized the potential for the Maker Mask concept to unleash the power of 3D printing across the public and private sectors. He quickly formed a group of leaders in industry, government, and technology to proliferate Larson’s design and to promote community production.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is an all-hands-on-deck crisis. It feels good to be able to take action and start getting respirators to clinicians, first responders, and essential service workers. Sophisticated hobbyists with a $300 3D Printer can get a respirator to their neighbors within hours,” said Roberts. “To help this effort scale, we’re establishing a strong ecosystem and a network of small batch production sites that will support tremendous production potential. It’s an opportunity for everyone from individuals, hospitals, communities, churches, schools, industry, to government organizations to cooperate and respond to this critical need. People who would like to help with this effort and need mask designs should go to the MakerMask.com website.”
The Maker Mask team, in collaboration with a rapidly growing ecosystem of outstanding organizations including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), America Makes, getusppe.org, InfraGard National, Matter Hackers, Nation of Makers, MITRE, Teach for America, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Military, Whiteford Taylor & Preston, and several other organizations and corporate partners, is working to address the nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment.
Maker Mask – Reviewed and endorsed by medical professionals
The Maker Mask is an open-source 3D printable mask and has been reviewed and endorsed by members of the medical community. The design allows CAD-based 3D mask printing to be combined with readily available, replaceable components such as weather stripping, elastic, and vacuum cleaner bags. The mask is re-usable, has replaceable filters, and heat-molds to each wearer’s individual face for an airtight fit. Because it is reusable by just changing the filter, one Maker Mask is the equivalent of 300 disposable masks over a two month period.
“I wanted to help with the COVID-19 response,” said Larson. “I’m good at 3D printing design and wanted to apply my skills to see if I could address the lack of masks issue. This mask is easy to make with a common hobbyist 3D printer yet closely matches the functionality of commercial masks.”
The Maker Masks are nearing NIH approval. In addition, several doctors in the Seattle area have endorsed the Maker Mask including Xuan Qin, PhD, D(ABMM), a professor of Laboratory Medicine at University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
The first set of masks are currently being used at Seattle Children’s Hospital, which has given provisional medical approval for these masks to be used by lab technicians processing samples.
Dr. Qin called Maker Mask, “nicely designed,” and “really useful” for laboratory technicians who process patient specimens for COVID-19. Dr Qin said that the mask “will help solve shortages of personal protective equipment.” She is overseeing a clinical study and has already deployed the masks to help fill a critical need.
People interested in learning more about the Maker Mask initiative and how to make these masks should join an educational webinar to be held on Thursday, April 2 at 1:00 pm PST. More information is available at www.makermask.com. The group designed the digital media platform to be a place where interested parties can collaborate, coordinate, and access information about the mask design, training, components, and production instructions. Maker Mask is receiving funding from nonprofit corporate sponsors through the RPrime Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. A patent for Maker Mask is pending.
The Maker Mask, a rapidly growing grassroots ecosystem response to the COVID-19 crisis. Maker Mask is enabling communities to create necessary goods locally and quickly will lessen the spread of disease, protect more people, reduce burdens on medical facilities/Department of Defense/governments, and give Americans something they can do to be part of the solution to this pandemic, while building and training capability for the future.
Megan McKenzie
McKenzie Worldwide meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
+1 503.470.0197 (mobile)
+1 503.625.3680 (office)
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