Armie is a 3D printed hands-free handle, designed to prevent the spreading of COVID-19. The virus is said to live on hard surfaces for up to 72 hours, within that time many people may have touched the handles of the drawers or doors in your place of work. Armie promotes people to use their arms to open doors, as the user is less likely to transmit the virus using this method.

The device is designed to fit on most handle profiles, however, we are aware it may not fit onto all handles. Armie requires a minimum of two cable ties to successfully secure the 3D print to the handle. There is a left and right-hand version of the Armie, please print according to which side of the door your handle is situated. Installation instructions on how to install Armie can be found below. Together we can help prevent the spreading of COVID-19. Please get in touch if you have any feedback regarding the design or how it could be improved.

Supplies

To install an Armie hands-free handle device you will need the following:

3D Printer and Material
Cable Ties or Zip Ties - 4.8mm width x 300m length (ideal size but other sizes will work)
Cutters or Scissors
A Door or Drawer Handle

Step 1: Download 3D Files and Modify

Download the 3D files below and upload to Autodesk Fusion 360. Within Fusion 360 changes can be made to the model to either develop the design or modify Armie to fit your requirements. If you would like to go straight to a 3D Printing Slicing software, please download the STL File. There are two versions of Armie design (Right and Left) depending on which side of the door your handle is situated.

Step 2: Slice the 3D Model Ready for 3D Printing

Take the STL files or Fusion 360 model to create an STL file. Import the STL file into your prefered slicing software. Armie is designed to require no support material in order to print. We would suggest using a 0.2mm layer height and 30% infill. To achieve a quicker print time, use a bigger layer height or an 0.8mm nozzle.

Step 3: 3D Print the Design

We designed Armie to be small enough to fit on most 3D printer build plates. The design requires no support material or additional bed adhesion meaning minimal post-processing. We've mostly been producing the device in PLA.

Step 4: Place Armie Against the Door or Drawer

Place the device against the door or drawer, with the back face parallel to the door surface. Make sure the F (Front) on the front of the design is facing forwards.

Step 5: Slide Armie Underneath the Handle

Slide the Armie device underneath the handle. Make sure the back face of the design is still pushed against the door. If you are fitting the device to a pull handle, make sure to situate it towards the top of the handle.

Step 6: Thread Cable or Zip Ties Into the Device

Keep Armie pressed against the door and handle. Thread cable or zip ties through the holes of the device which are lined up with the door handle.

Step 7: Loop the Cable or Zip Ties Around Armie and the Handle.

Loop the cables or zip ties around Armie and the handle. Thread the cable or zip tie back through the holes aligned with the handle as shown in the picture above. Make sure the device is still pushed against the handle.

Step 8: Tighten the Cable or Zip Ties Around the Handle

Use the cable or zip tip around the handle to make sure it is secure. Make sure to fully tighten the ties to prevent the device from moving. Add additional ties if required. Use cutters or scissors to cut off any excess cable tie which is not required.

Step 9: Add Additional Cable or Zip Ties to the Top of the Handle

Add an additional Cable or Zip ties to the top of the handle using the holes on the device. This will prevent the device from sliding down when in use.

Step 10: Use Armie to Open the Door Using Your Arm

Using your arm, use the Armie device to open the door. This is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by stopping the user from transmitting the virus by touching the handle with their hand. Other installation instructions PDFs are available to download in order to attach Armie to other handles on drawers or doors. Stay safe, and together we can beat Coronavirus.