Tim’s 3-D printer and some of the masks he’s produced with it.

Tim Gluth

Digital solutions manager Tim Gluth has been 3-D printing respirator masks for medical professionals fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I was aware of a few respirator mask printing projects that had sprung up online, but this was the first that I had seen locally,” says Tim, who learned about Concordia University Wisconsin’s mask printing initiative from one of his son’s teachers on Facebook.

“I have had a 3-D printer for close to four years and use it to create an array of items, creating parts and gear for my radio-controlled car collection, making replacement parts for broken household items, printing toys and game pieces for my kids, and creating items to use during Cub Scout meetings that my wife and I lead,” he says. “Anything you can dream up, you can create, which is one of the many reasons I find 3-D printing exciting.”

Tim had already printed a few “Montana masks” using a design found online and more than 100 “extenders” used to help front-line workers wear their masks more comfortably over long periods of time. When he learned about Concordia’s efforts, he began printing N95-style respirator masks again, ending up with 20 masks and filter “grilles” to donate.

“Ultimately, I just wanted to do something to help those who were helping so many others. Since I was working from home, I was able to keep the printing process going throughout the day and into the night, making sure that everything was working smoothly,” Tim says. “Having the ability to turn a hobby into something that can truly help those around you is a great feeling to have.”