“Print at home” and help provide vital PPE to frontline healthcare workers

An Irish based 3D printing company has encouraged businesses and private individuals who own 3D printers to “print from home” and manufacture face shields for healthcare workers, by making their custom design files freely available to make it happen.

3D Technology Ltd. (MedScan3D), based at Galway Technology Park, has commenced an innovative project that allows other people to print 3D face shields by sharing their design files with the public. As the demand for PPE for frontline healthcare workers continues, 3D Technology Ltd. founder James Wall believes sharing their work with others is the best way to help fight the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

“Since starting the 3D printing of face shields, we have been continually supplying to healthcare organisations across the country. 3D Technology Ltd. are encouraging those who wish to print the product to focus on nursing homes, family care clinics and pharmacies and as they do not receive the same supply priority despite being essential services.”

“There are lots of organisations and members of the public out there who want to play their part in supporting our healthcare workers via the provision of much needed PPE equipment. For anyone that owns a 3D printer, this initiative provides a great way to do so.”

In addition to providing these 3D printing files to the general public, sister company MedScan3D has also been leading the way in the provision of 3D printed face shields to health organisations, with the added benefit that these particular face shields have a reusable brim, therefore reducing waste for the end user. According to Jacqui O’Connor, Technical Director at MedScan3D, the reusable face shields have proved even more popular with healthcare professionals.

“We are very fortunate to have access to print a reusable face shield designed by industry leaders Markforged which we print in-house from engineering grade nylon. What this means is that health organisations can reuse the brim of the face shield by placing in an autoclave. This significantly reduces waste, while the comfort and usability of the face shield has also been highlighted by our end users.”

For instructions on how to “Print from Home” please click below. Design credit: Johannes Warner

More information regarding 3D Technology Ltd. and MedScan3D can be found at www.3DTechnology.ie and www.MedScan3D.ie respectively.