Frequently Asked Questions

MyMask Movement is social enterprise with a 501(c)(3) foundation built by volunteers dedicated to addressing the shortage of face masks by creating a virtual supply chain powered by 3D scanning, generative design, and digital manufacturing. Our mission is to save as many lives, as quickly as possible, by protecting front line workers. Founded in March 2020, our international group of volunteers has backgrounds ranging across 3D modeling, computer vision, engineering, medicine, computational fluid dynamic modeling, and more.

We have developed a free iPhone app that utilizes Apple's Face ID depth sensing technology, found in iPhone X and later models. The app will create a facial scan that can be sent to 3D printers to create a personalized, custom-fit face mask.

The demand for PPE has only increased since the beginning of the pandemic, especially as all medical workers return. When the pandemic and PPE shortage first began, there was a 4-6 month backlog in the supply chain. While PPE manufacturers scramble to keep up with the demand, the pandemic only worsened, and the US is reaching new peaks everyday.

Mask machines take 6 months to manufacture and cost upwards of 5 million dollars with multi-year payback periods. The just-in-time nature of the supply and demand market dynamics of the N95 market makes shortages an inevitable market reality during times of crises and shocks to the demand curve (i.e., pandemics, forest fires, etc.).

We are collaborating with numerous global generative design and additive manufacturing experts to produce masks using the personalized facial scans created by our iPhone app. Currently, we are in the process of providing masks to priority healthcare workers who are in the highest risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Our headquarters are in Stanford, California, but our remote team of over 100 volunteers spans across the globe.

Using Apple's facial recognition technology, we have redirected its use to creating precise 3D scans of the user's face to create a form fitting mask. All it takes is an iPhone X or higher model, our free mobile application, and yourself.

Injection molding these masks would lead to mass produced, ill-fitting masks. One size does not fit all, and we want to individually manufacture each mask to fit you. We don’t just want to break the mold; we want to make the mold extinct.

Some 3D printed masks cannot be sterilized because the material cannot withstand repeated cycles of high temperatures and moisture. These face masks are manufactured with industrial grade TPU, a material capable of withstanding repeated cycles of high temperatures and moisture.

M3 masks are printed on industrial grade HP MultiJet Fusion Printers (4200 Series) at industrial scale. These printers create a complex lattice of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), blocking microscopic particles from penetrating through the mask and only allowing the flow of air through the filter. Masks printed on homebrew machines can be porous, impossible to sterilize, and even toxic for human use.

Unlike other common materials used for 3D printing, we use ESTANE® 3D TPU M95A-545, which is capable of withstanding high temperatures and can be repeatedly sterilized in an autoclave or other sterilization methods. You can sanitize and reuse the mask for up to 6 months.

High Accuracy, High Precision 3D Scanning. We use a multitude of advanced 3D sensing modalities, including structured light, structure from motion, and photogrammetry enhanced with photometric sensing techniques. We are able to produce consistently high-precision and high accuracy 3D scans that are simply impossible with any other mobile-based technique in use, especially around the nose bridge and chin.

Generative Design. Our highly accurate and precise 3D scans enable us to produce superior inputs for our generative design algorithms that create a perfectly fitting mask unique to each individual user. We first apply a sizing algorithm and then we apply morphing algorithms to achieve this.

Extensive Testing & Validation. We have invested heavily in the testing, calibration, and validation of our technology across a wide set of users, which we have done in partnership with Health Canada. This is also why we are pursuing full FDA approval with the goal of becoming the first and only FDA approved 3D printed mask and also the first and only FDA approved custom fitted mask.

Supply Chain. We have also invested significant time and resources into establishing supplier relationships (including minimum volume commitments) and a decentralized network of additive manufacturing partners that enable us to produce the masks we design at consistently high and uniform quality.

We have developed a robust supply chain with 3D printing manufacturers scattered throughout the United States in order to bring our proprietary technology to market. The manufacturers we currently collaborate with include AVID PD, Fathom, Forecast 3D, Forerunner, and Qualified3D. These 3D printing operations are located in the Bay Area, San Diego, Colorado, and Michigan, respectively. MyMask Movement’s long-term goal is to expand localized printing capabilities to every major region within the US healthcare space.

You will need access to an iPhone X or later model to be able to create a personalized facial scan. Please contact us at Jesse@mymaskmovement.org

We are currently prioritizing front line medical workers, but hope to scale our operations so we can protect other at-risk individuals. You will need access to an iPhone X or later model to be able to create a personalized facial scan. Please contact us at Jesse@mymaskmovement.org

Our operations are only possible through the support of our corporate sponsors' and the JJJ Foundation's support. If you're interested in donating, you can find the donation link here or at the top right of our website.

MyMask Movement is working to save as many lives as fast as possible, starting with the most impacted communities – healthcare workers, frontline workers, and the elderly. Your donation will help us provide masks to hospitals, retirement homes, and research institutes as far as Kenya.

Yes, we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We will send a donor letter at the end of the year.