Matthew Gullickson is a farmer, an engineer, and now a manufacturer of 3-D masks. This new COVID-19 pandemic has made him do something different. He has to try to do something to make things better.
He saw on-line the face mask they have developed in Billings using a 3-D printer. Matt can make two at a time using his 3-D printer. It takes six to seven hours to make two masks. He will also create, with his 3-D printer, the little square which holds the filter into the masks. These masks are highly sought after, because of the shortage of N95 masks. These masks can be sterilized and reused just by replacing the new filters.
He went on-line to get the STL file for the computer. The STL file makes the most-simple triangles that layer on top of each other, which combines to make each layer of the mask. Matt said, "It's really easy to do. It's as simple as pushing a button. Once you've made one after that, it's easy. Once you have programmed the computer for the first one, it's so repeatable. I could easily justify the cost of the plastic, for a good cause. The plastic mask fits your face comfortably-it's a pretty high-quality piece."
When I first called to interview Matt, there was a loud noise in the background, and he needed to call me back. I discovered he had heard, there might be a shortage of flour, and he has two smaller wheat grinders that can make about 20 pounds of flour a day. So, Matt is making flour, if anyone needs flour, if it becomes a shortage, he wants everyone who needs flour to contact him, and he'll give it to you. Matt will even deliver it to you in town. Contact him through the Big Sandy Needs Facebook page.
"I like to do what I can, especially in our community, because everyone pitches in and helps when they can." He has learned over the years of growing up here, that people help people when the need is apparent.
