Fayette Co. man 3D printing masks at home for healthcare workers

BELLE VERNON, Pa. — A Fayette County man is using his time, money and resources to help make masks for health care workers.

“I’m getting a lot of thank you and God bless you,” said Pete Jaklitsch.

He said he’s been playing around with 3D printers inside his home and what was once a hobby has turned into a way for him to help people. He said he’s using the multiple 3D printers to make masks.

“I’ve had them running 24/7 since I started this,” Jaklitsch said.

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He told Channel 11 he is using a model from Rowan University’s College of Engineering to make the masks. Engineers worked to make the cup shaped mask printed from spools of plastic, fitted with a removable filter. The blueprints were then released for anyone with a 3D printer and a desire to help.

“There’s no value you can put on human life. I’m an asthmatic and there’s not much I can do to help. From here I can do this,” Jaklitsch said.

He said he just purchased more supplies so he can have six 3D printers going around the clock.

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