Blade Taylor, the founder and CEO of 3DXtremes, is developing a prototype for bio-friendly face masks to aid in the fight against the coronavirus. He is collaborating with Sentara Healthcare to design and produce custom face masks that utilize various filter methods. The masks will be made with eco-friendly plastic and medical-grade silicone, and designed to be reusable, easy to disinfect, and to accommodate different types of filters. The company aims to produce between 50 to 60 masks per day. The design will also be made available to other 3D printing capable entities for production and donation.
Introduction
From Inside Business By SANDRA J. PENNECKE
3DXtremes’ Innovative Mask Design
Blade Taylor, founder and chief executive officer of 3DXtremes, has never geared his business to print toys and trinkets. He’s more interested in serious product development and part fabrication.
Now, the 23 year old, who started his company in his dorm room at Old Dominion University his freshman year, is hard at work on a prototype for a protective face mask to help with the ongoing battle against the coronavirus.
Collaboration with Sentara Healthcare
“We’re in conversation with Sentara to start designing and producing custom face masks that will use other filter methods that are still available to be purchased,” Taylor said.
Dr. Alan Wagner, a vitreoretinal surgeon and ocular oncologist, said he was asked by Dr. Jordan Asher, senior vice president and chief physician executive for Sentara Healthcare, to find creative, out-of-the-box solutions to the supply chain challenges.
Design and Production Process
Wagner was led to Taylor and 3DXtremes by his wife, Jody, founder of Jody’s Popcorn, who had seen the fellow small-business owner in action.
Taylor said his company is working to create a design, build a prototype, validate its functionality, clear the required testing and ramp up production.
“We’re aiming to start producing anywhere between 50 to 60 masks a day that are reusable and can be disinfected easily with filters that can be swapped out,” he said of the N95 equivalent masks that will be made from a bio- and eco-friendly plastic with some medical grade silicone.
Mask Features and Functionality
Taylor said Asher looked at the original digital design, and provided feedback on potential tweaks to make the mask more comfortable and more effective.
Taylor said he is making the masks to accommodate filters of different types, including the N95 mask, also called a respirator.
The newest version of the mask will seal fully around the face with a skin-safe silicone, so that it acts more like an N95 mask as far as the fit and seal.
Community Involvement and Impact
Taylor said the mask design will be available for others with 3D print capability to make and donate, too.
“This is not a ‘just us’ endeavor, we’re leading this endeavor with Sentara as far as designing it, prototyping the design and being the main producer,” he said.
Adapting to the Current Situation
During “normal” times, Taylor runs his print farm – with 40 3D printers and a variety of other machines – in a 2,000-square-foot space in Percolator, a co-working facility in downtown Norfolk.
The company turns concepts into products for private investors and companies via 3D printing, modeling, urethane casting and injection molding.
Some of the companies Taylor works with have temporarily closed their doors and put things on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Taylor has adjusted.
Conclusion
“We’re up for the battle and we’re ready for the job,” Taylor said.
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-222-5356, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com
Question & Answer
1. What is Blade Taylor working on to help in the fight against the coronavirus?
Blade Taylor is developing a prototype for bio-friendly face masks to aid in the fight against the coronavirus.
2. How many masks does 3DXtremes aim to produce per day?
The company aims to produce between 50 to 60 masks per day.
3. How will the masks be designed to accommodate different types of filters?
The masks will be designed to accommodate filters of different types, including the N95 mask, and will be made from eco-friendly plastic with some medical-grade silicone.
4. Will the mask design be available for others to produce and donate?
Yes, the mask design will be available for others with 3D print capability to make and donate as well.
