As the coronavirus continues to spread, medical facilities and hospitals are under an increasing amount of strain, often lacking critical medical equipment needed to effectively fight COVID-19. All over the world, initiatives have been launched to help with the rapid development and production of such equipment, but many are struggling to access the funds and manufacturing capacity required to act quickly.
Prusa Face Shield in Action in Denver
In order to increase accessibility to this crucial equipment, 3D Hubs has launched the COVID-19 Manufacturing Fund, connecting these projects with both the funds and means of production they need to rapidly produce vital equipment such as protective masks and ventilator parts. Thanks to its global network of manufacturing partners, 3D Hubs is in a unique position to offer such projects access to a virtually unlimited manufacturing capacity that is able to sustain the rapid production of parts. Providing access to various manufacturing technologies including 3D printing, injection molding and CNC machining, this capacity and speed is vital to producing parts in these times of crisis.
In less than 12 hours after launching, the fund has raised over $18,000 (€16,200). 3D Hubs has so far partnered with Make4Covid and The University of Denver to manufacture up to 10,000 protective face shields for hospitals in Denver. Key components for the Prusa face shield RC2 are being produced, to be used ‘in the field’ in hospitals that are facing shortages in the midst of this deepening crisis. 3D Hubs has also partnered with Project Open Air to work on ventilator splitters to increase the capacity of existing ventilators.
Co-founder and CPO of 3D Hubs, Brian Garret comments: “Thousands of designers and engineers around the world are stepping up to design parts for life-saving applications. We want to make sure these parts reach those in need as soon as possible. By launching this fund, and committing our global manufacturing capacity, we’re accelerating these initiatives as fast as we can.”
Learn more about the COVID-19 Manufacturing Fund here.
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