We at 3DVerkstan are accustomed to developing solutions and 3D-printed models to meet different needs of our customers, but like many others in this strange time, we chose to reorganize the planned business and focus on producing simple, fast products for healthcare that are already struggling with inadequate resources and adequate protection. This is what additive manufacturing is all about, a manufacturing method that quickly develops not just prototypes or individual parts but fulfills a need that arises here and now. Now mass production of our faceshield has started by injection molding in many places which is needed for demand is great, but the hundreds of thousands of visors that were 3D printed during these weeks have saved lives!
The design for our 3D-printed visor was developed to be printed quickly on a number of different 3D printers, and with the help of a plastic film and a hole punch, it provides sufficient splash protection for those working in various healthcare agencies around the world. Large hospitals, home care, elderly homes and local heroes in Europe, India, the US and Africa - all have shared the same enthusiasm and gratitude. The visa has been safety tested at various hospitals and has been well received and approved by both staff and authorities, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States.
3DVerkstans Lead Engineer Erik Cederberg, is behind the final design of 3DVfaceshield, which is now mass-produced globally: "Initially, the vision was that we could give everyone who had access to a 3D printer in Sweden an opportunity to help, but we never imagined which It was a better response than we could have ever dreamed of from all parties, and it has been amazing to see how many thousands have been printed around the country, and delivered to hospitals, nursing homes and health centers.
How non-profit actors like Stockholm Makerspace stepped forward and with a volunteer-driven printer farm printed over 20000st in two weeks, but also how companies like Prototal and Emmaljunga manufactured injection molds at the highest possible speed and now deliver over 20,000 visors every day. And then we only talk about the Swedish part ... the international became even bigger. "
It is absolutely impossible to thank everyone, we have tried as best we can for everyone we have been in contact with or who have shown their efforts via # 3DVfaceshield. All the fantastic makers and companies in our elongated country, all these initiatives that have popped up and people's willingness to help non-profit. We wish that we could gather all the power and thought and cheer we received from those who received the visor, from those who feel lifted from being able to help in this difficult time and from those who cannot help but see that this benefits - together we make a difference!
With supply chains breaking all over the world due to high demand, panic buying and closed borders, 3D printers now have even greater impact with time-to-market; to manufacture locally and fill the gaps where traditional supply chains fail. We who work with additive manufacturing already know this, this is not the future, the technology already exists and we are ready for all possible challenges that will come. We will continue to do what we can, develop products and tools where needed, whether in healthcare, industry or anything else, and we are happy to share our time and broad knowledge.
In these uncertain times, we have really seen what a great community and collaboration we have in the 3D printing industry. Throughout the world, ideas, knowledge and time are shared between hobbyists, designers, companies and volunteers. By working together, we can really help those who desperately need products and parts that are getting harder and harder to get by day by day.
Below we have collected some of the articles that have been written in recent weeks about our faceshield and other 3D-printed aids, but also linked to good reading to think about when it comes to precisely 3D manufacturing of products, including in healthcare.
3dverkstan.se
