Versaflo TR-300 Respirator
Client
3M
Description
Powered air purifying respirator
Date
2010
Activities
- Human Factors, Usability and Inclusivity
- Industrial Design
- Mechanical Engineering
- Production Support
- Prototyping
- Research and Strategy
- Software Development
- Systems Engineering
- Testing and Evaluation
The TR-300 Powered Air Respirator is significantly smaller than other similar products on the market. It sits closely against the user’s back and is profiled to be comfortable for users worldwide. The low profile product envelope, coupled with a self-adjusting breathing tube, allows users to work in tight spaces with less chance of snagging their equipment on nearby objects.
This is complemented by the low weight of the product, with the centre of mass positioned close to the body to minimise the torsional loading which can make this type of equipment feel heavy.
Providing users with a low profile, lightweight and powerful respirator
The product was carefully designed to minimise the volume of the consumable filter element. The filter’s compact curved design and high pleat density exploited 3M’s manufacturing technologies to provide a consumable with a reduced amount of disposable waste. This is housed within robust removable exterior cover mouldings, secured with an innovative metal clip mechanism to provide a low profile, durable closure.
This approach delivers a product system with controlled consumable costs within a maintained and serviceable platform.
