How can I get plastic to make my own mask?

[Christine L]

The future of masks is probably more custom sized, or custom molded cushion designs for each patient.

You mean a different mask for every person? I think there will be something invented better than CPAP before that happens.

[Christine L]

The future of masks is probably more custom sized, or custom molded cushion designs for each patient.

You mean a different mask for every person? I think there will be something invented better than CPAP before that happens.

[archangle]

Same issue, they have pictures of the newer version strap, but if one orders, one gets the older version. However, I can design a better strap to go with my mask. Not sure If I can afford to have it stitched up, and I do not want to buy a sewing machine.

Know someone who sells Polycarbonate in a raw form, I think one takes a bunch of powder, mix it with ___, pour it into a form. And the form needs to be something that will not adhere to the hard plastic.

Polycarb is usually injection molded. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarbonate Uses substantial precisely machined metal molds, plastic heated to 300F or higher, injected under high pressure into the mold. The pressure is often more than 1000 PSI. Definitely not garage tinkerer type stuff.

Hard plastic CPAP mask parts made from other materials are probably mostly injection molded as well.

Some silicone plastic parts may be made by a "pour and set" process, but many of them are also injection molded, although that may not be at the temperature and pressure of polycarb, but it may be a vulcanizing process, i.e. inject cold and then bake to set it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injection_ ... one_rubber

You don't usually get the right kind of properties from pour molding. What you describe would be some kind of evaporating solvent plastic. That doesn't get used much except for paint or dipping types of plastic. The dimensional stability is usually bad because it shrinks as it dries. Epoxy plastics sort of work in a similar way, with a chemical hardening reaction after you mix the two parts, but that's usually either a dip or injection mold process.

Machining the parts from plastic blocks is a possibility, but doesn't seem that appropriate for the home tinkerer for complex parts in the right kinds of plastic.

A 3D printer might do the trick, but that's expensive, and the parts have to be designed to work with the mechanical properties of the material you're using to print the parts from. The types of plastic available for home 3D printing have a limited range of mechanical properties, but they might be useful for certain items.

[palerider]

I have to think I can really improve upon mask design, for myself. Many of the good ideas are under patent, but I would surely use them for my own benefit. Where can I can get the hard stuff to make plastic. Something to make forms,

you'd do a lot better to just get a 3d printer, and forget trying to mold and form plastics... injection molds can costs tens of thousands of bucks, and that's just for the molds, that's not counting the machines they fit into.

[Guest1]

Before you go the 3D printing route, there is a company - Metamason, that is yet to ship their first mask. I suggest you get in touch with them and see if their stuff fits your needs. Or else, you may contribute your ideas to that project.

[ChicagoGranny]

Before you go the 3D printing route, there is a company - Metamason, that is yet to ship their first mask. I suggest you get in touch with them and see if their stuff fits your needs. Or else, you may contribute your ideas to that project.

See also viewtopic.php?f=1&t=102893

[chunkyfrog]

I had (briefly) considered creating an inflatable cushion for the Mirage Quattro mask,
but once I started wearing nasal pillows, my motivation was gone (meh).
The idea was for a small pump (like in the famous sneakers) to adjust fit, even day to day.
Material would be a non-porous fabric, similar to Sleepweaver masks.
(((They have a full face design now--have you tried it ?)))
A good sewing machine can be gotten for under $200, but learning to sew is not a weekend project.

[BlackSpinner]

A good sewing machine can be gotten for under $200, but learning to sew is not a weekend project.

A needle and thread is much cheaper - We are not talking a full body suit here - you don't need a sewing machine to make some straps. Even a full head cover can be created using a needle and thread - it will just take longer. People made complex clothing long before the invention of a sewing machine.

[DeadlySleep]

HOW CAN I GET PLASTIC TO MAKE MY OWN MASK?

May I suggest you take on this project instead? - http://womanfreebies.com/videos/must-se ... ric-train/

[Janknitz]

There are thermoplastic materials used to make custom splints by OTs and Pts. They can be heated in hot water or with a heat gun and then manipulated into the desired shape. But I would not use this material for several reasons: it is too soft. It off-gasses fumes I would not like to breathe all night, and it breaks down fairly quickly.

I spent years in school learning to make simple splints from the materials and more years in practice but never felt mastery. An upper extremity is fairly simple in anatomy where total contact isn't essential. A face is very complex and dynamic. So I would not expect it to be easy at all.

Orthotists, professionals who make artificial limbs and more specific braces may have the materials and tools you would need but I doubt you could engage them in this as the technicalities and liabilities are enormous.

Still, I applaud your desire to tinker. Just don't expect it to be easy or inexpensive. I don't begrudge the cost of a good mask, just the ridiculous insurance rules that accompany masks and headgear.

I was admiring my Wisp mask just last night. I think the tiny flex joint in the top of the nasal cushion is genius--no pressure on my nose!

[palerider]

There are thermoplastic materials used to make custom splints by OTs and Pts. They can be heated in hot water or with a heat gun and then manipulated into the desired shape. But I would not use this material for several reasons: it is too soft. It off-gasses fumes I would not like to breathe all night, and it breaks down fairly quickly.

there's a low melting point plastic called shapelock that I believe doesn't have those drawbacks.

melts in hot water, goes solid at lower temps and is billed as being durable.

[Julie]

Thank you PR for that link - looks great! I can use it, though not for masks... more craft stuff.

[palerider]

Thank you PR for that link - looks great! I can use it, though not for masks... more craft stuff.

it's targeted at the maker community, (which includes crafts, I suppose )

[avi123]

purple, why don't you make a sketch of your idea and post it here as an image?

[Janknitz]

Here's a link to thermoplastics used in splinting. https://www.ncmedical.com/categories/Sh ... ds_16.html

They are all described as "rigid" but this is not the same rigidity as the polycarbonate used in mask frames.