Vivad printing masks with Durst template

Melbourne printer Vivad is producing what it is calling Community Masks, with full filter systems, using the IP and template from equipment supplier Durst. 

 

Ewen Donaldson, managing director at Vivad said, "The imperative from the Victorian premier is causing strong demand. The masks are an area we can turn our hand to.

"We have been talking to Durst for a while, and now are in full production. It is a great initiative, especially as we can help the community in these times."

Donaldson said, "The Community Masks have a certified filter membrane (type N95) with hydrophobic properties and microporous structure. Despite the high filtration efficiency of up to 95 per cent, they are particularly breathable and suitable for long wearing. The masks are not sold as medical grade."

Customers will be able to apply their own branding or choose an existing design. The masks will be available for purchase through Vivad’s web-to-print portal at www.vivad.com.au in the coming days, but stocks will be limited until production can be increased to meet the demand.

Durst has made its IP for masks available to its entire Rhotex installation base. The company developed the template when Italy went into lockdown in March, as its main manufacturing base is in the north of the country near the epicentre of the outbreak.

Matt Ashman, managing director of Durst Oceania said, “The Durst design is not just a basic covering, it has a reusable filter, which is manufactured and supplied by Durst. Both the mask and the filter are reusable.” The N95 filter is based on those used to stop clogging of ink nozzles in the company's inkjet printers by micro particles.

Ashman said, “I have been wearing my mask for the past three weeks in Melbourne, and every day someone asks me where I got it from.”

Durst has adapted filter systems that take on a cleaning function in the printing press to filter out microparticles in the ink supply systems so print heads do not become clogged. Durst laboratories subjected the filter membrane to a detailed effectiveness test. Durst also said it would verify the measured values with an independent institute.

The masks are essentially two parts: the textile printed mask itself, and the filter which slips into a pocket inside the mask. Both can be cleaned with IPA products and reused.

Christof Gamper, CEO of Durst, said, “In a web shop with a specially programmed editor, the masks can be individualised with graphics, images, and text. Our workflow software then sends the designed file directly to the printing machine, and then the printed material is processed by a cutting system.

The masks produced by Durst Rhotex have an efficient filter membrane, while at the same time provides good air permeability. The community masks have a three-layer structure. The polyester fleece textile materials are comfortable to wear, and they are washable. The filter membrane can be disinfected with alcohol and reused.

Durst points out that this is not a protective equipment in accordance with VO (E) 2016/425 or a medical device in accordance with Directive 93/42 /EEC.