24hr BLITZ PROJECT: COVID-19 FACE SHIELD ***PLEASE READ***
about 4 years ago
– Thu, Mar 26, 2020 at 04:32:25 PM
Hi Backers,
We decided to take a 24hr break in light of the current COVID-19 situation coupled with an idea we had for a face shield solution (for health workers). We are addressing your inquires but time is of the essence and we’d rather work the weekends to make up the time (we usually do anyway!). Following this post we are straight back onto any inquiries.
Introducing "PRINT SHIELD"....
PROBLEM:
Health professionals around the world are currently feeling the strain of this pandemic and in many locations, it's only going to get worse. Reports of doctors/nurses being advised to visit hardware stores as PPE is not available in many cases simply cannot happen.
They are our frontline in this battle and they need to stay safe from the virus.
Many 3D printing companies have opened their doors to allow their printers to manufacture face shields. This is absolutely fantastic and we’re sure our health care systems pays tribute to them.
However, many countries will not be so fortunate, they may not have access to 3D printers. Even in countries with access to sufficient additive manufacture, the demand may be too high. Although lead times are significantly cut down with 3D printing, they are still subject to delay in production.
As previously mentioned, this is something we are even experiencing as a business. We have multiple COFFEEJACK parts on order but we wouldn’t expect these companies to prioritise our parts over a device designed to protect our doctors/nurses.
OUR SOLUTION:
We have developed a protective shield ("PRINT SHIELD") to combat not only lead time issues but affordability and accessibility. After all, how do you manufacture a shield when production is down?!
Our shield can be printed using any standard desktop printer onto clear acetate. The downloadable file is shown below and we urge you all to push this solution through your social media channels, should you agree with its benefits.
The post to SHARE is available on Facebook here (this is so important to getting the concept out there so please be part of the effort):
We are not claiming that this solution is perfect. We appreciate it is not a fully sealed system but it certainly challenges the shields that are currently being used or worse yet, the shields our doctors/nurses are lacking.
Whether this is a quick solution before shield production catches up or the only option for many countries, it WILL provide a benefit and aims to minimise the effects of the virus.
It is free and completely open source. Simply click on the link below, download the file, print and assemble. It’s that simple. Instructions are yet to be made, this is something we can look into over the weekend/evenings should the post get some traction. Anything is worth a shot in this current climate.
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More than anything....WE NEED YOUR HELP!
In order for this idea to get traction on social media, we need you to share the post to get the word out there. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
FACEBOOK LINK:
*** PLEASE TAG ANYONE IN HEALTH PROFESSIONS ***
We appreicate some of you will not have Facebook but its currently the channel with the biggest chance of getting noticed.
We know that there are some fantastic engineers and creatives amongst you all. The contents within the link can be modified at any stage so if you feel that you can add anything to the design then we would like to hear from you.
We hope you understand this alternative update and its not one that we would normally post. Everyone has to provide their value at the moment and we hope ours can be in the form of rapid fire design!
Should you decide to have a go at making a PRINT SHIELD please support and send pictures to #PRINTSHIELD (Instagram/Facebook).
This is a time where we can work together in our Kickstarter group to actually make a big impact.....across our campaigns there are about 20,000 backers! Thats one hell of a voice if we all shout together!
Remember, if you know anyone in the healthcare profession, please remember to tag them as it may become useful during the coming weeks.
FACEBOOK LINK:
Stay safe
Thank you
Ashley and Matthew
