When Disaster Strikes: COVID19
2020 has been one hell of a year so far. These past few weeks, everyone in California has been stuck at home with nowhere to go and nothing to do. But that’s where makers come in.
Hospitals all around the world are in short supply for Personal Protective Equipment (or PPE). Nurses are struggling to protect themselves from the massive influx of patients with COVID19 and the health care system is overwhelmed. So what can we do about this? Prusa, the 3D printer company, has come up with a face shield design that is designed to completely cover a nurse’s face. It’s a relatively simple design, but it’s highly effective. Made out of only 4 major pieces, it can be sourced and 3D printed effectively and quickly.
Here is a video on the face shield assembly: https://youtu.be/pP7z3iw76GA
Although 3D printing isn’t a very optimal option for mass production, it’s a step in the right direction. 3D printing is meant for rapid prototyping and to get production started before expensive injection molded parts are made. I’m working with MakerNexus along with hundreds of other makers to help 3D print face shield bands before injection molding production gets ramped up. Anybody can help by just signing up on the MkaerNexus COVID help page. https://makernexuswiki.com/index.php?title=3D_printed_face_shields
As of April 10th, they have managed to get injection molding for the top face shield band, but the bottom brackets are still in development. Makers are urged to put more effort into printing the bottom brackets now. Any bit helps!