It is demand that enhances the importance of the product. And if it is catastrophic or pandemic time then the demand for preventive measures pinnacles like a rocket. As almost the whole world is in the deadly trap of coronavirus, and medical experts are advising us what to do and what to not as precautionary measures at such a precarious situation, putting on masks, at this time, is one of the urgent preventive measures to keep the effects of Covid-19 in the air at bay. But to meet the challenge of snowballing demand of masks has almost failed. However, at such juncture, it is none other than 3D printer that is being used for mass production of face mask to overcome its consistently increasing demand across the world. Since the USA is most affected by coronavirus right now, a US 3D printing company Stratasys Ltd. has exuded its spontaneity and moved ahead to do the needful.
Providing face shield free of cost
To support the global war being fought against the spread of Covid-19 in different ways, the US-based Stratasys Ltd. has made announcement of a global mobilisation of its 3D printing resources and expertise, spanning its Stratasys, GrabCAD, Stratasys Direct Manufacturing and partner network with donated printing capacity in the entire region. Its first concentration is on procurement of thousands of disposable face shields to be used by medical professionals. In the US, Stratasys had set its first target of producing 5,000 face shields by March 27 which it accomplished at not even a single penny of cost to the recipients. It comprises both a 3D-printed frame and a clear plastic shield that cover the whole face. The company is able to enhance its production with much faster rate to meet the prevailing disastrous situation.
Approached by one of the world’s top hospitals
Stratasys has been approached by one of the world’s top hospitals that they use 1,530 disposable face shields every week even in normal days created by Covid-19 but currently it is not to the level of six days’ inventory on hand, with the pandemic still on its consistent prevalence. Stratasys apprised them that medical technology giant Medtronic and Minneapolis-based Dunwoody College of Technology would support in their endeavours to procure plastic shield material. “We are humbled by the opportunity to help. We see additive manufacturing as an essential part of the response to the Covid-19 global epidemic,” informed Stratasys CEO Yoav Zeif.
Based in Eden Prairie, Minn., in and around Austin, Texas, and Valencia, Calif Stratasys has a sizeable number of professional 3D printers available to meet the challenge of producing shields at scale, particularly across its Stratasys Direct Manufacturing facilities. Besides, several other big manufacturers and educational institutions with production grade 3D printers have shown their generosity to help. These comprise Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Queensborough Community College in New York City, and the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga.
Organisations will be helped with 3D printed products to curb the crisis
A web page has been set up by Stratasys where organisations can appeal for 3D printed products to help in the crisis, with the offer of 3D printing capacity, or request 3D printers or material for medical- or safety-related objectives. The company has also prepared itself to extend its support in the crisis in additional ways. An initiative led by anesthesiology residents of Massachusetts General Hospital called the CoVent-19 Challenge is likely to request engineers and designers to help develop a new fast deployable ventilator and other innovative solutions to the ventilator shortage, and Stratasys is planning to support the challenge and promote it via its GrabCAD community of more than 7 million professional designers, engineers, manufacturers and students, who are regarded as a bright ray of hope at such a dark time of ordeal.