COVID-19: Rapid prototyping and production of face shields via flat, laser-cut, and 3D-printed models
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has become essential to reduce the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as it prevents the direct contact of body fluid aerosols expelled from carriers. However, many countries have reported critical supply shortages due to the spike in d...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Results in Engineering |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123022001220 |
| _version_ | 1811336116893122560 |
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| author | Sean O'Connor Snehamol Mathew Foram Dave David Tormey Una Parsons Mel Gavin Paul Mc Nama Ruth Moran Mark Rooney Ross McMorrow John Bartlett Suresh C. Pillai |
| author_facet | Sean O'Connor Snehamol Mathew Foram Dave David Tormey Una Parsons Mel Gavin Paul Mc Nama Ruth Moran Mark Rooney Ross McMorrow John Bartlett Suresh C. Pillai |
| author_sort | Sean O'Connor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has become essential to reduce the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as it prevents the direct contact of body fluid aerosols expelled from carriers. However, many countries have reported critical supply shortages due to the spike in demand during the outbreak in 2020. One potential solution to ease pressure on conventional supply chains is the local fabrication of PPE, particularly face shields, due to their simplistic design. The purpose of this paper is to provide a research protocol and cost implications for the rapid development and manufacturing of face shields by individuals or companies with minimal equipment and materials. This article describes a best practice case study in which the establishment of a local manufacturing hub resulted in the swift production of 12,000 face shields over a seven-week period to meet PPE shortages in the North-West region of Ireland. Protocols and processes for the design, materials sourcing, prototyping, manufacturing, and distribution of face shields are described. Three types of face shields were designed and manufactured, including Flat, Laser-cut, and 3D-printed models. Of the models tested, the Flat model proved the most cost-effective (€0.51/unit), while the Laser-cut model was the most productive (245 units/day). The insights obtained from this study demonstrate the capacity for local voluntary workforces to be quickly mobilised in response to a healthcare emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T17:34:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fba494868e2b4912980a77a0506d1e25 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2590-1230 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T17:34:44Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Results in Engineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-fba494868e2b4912980a77a0506d1e252022-12-22T02:37:26ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302022-06-0114100452COVID-19: Rapid prototyping and production of face shields via flat, laser-cut, and 3D-printed modelsSean O'Connor0Snehamol Mathew1Foram Dave2David Tormey3Una Parsons4Mel Gavin5Paul Mc Nama6Ruth Moran7Mark Rooney8Ross McMorrow9John Bartlett10Suresh C. Pillai11Department of Environmental Science, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, Ireland; Corresponding author.Centre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing (PEM) Centre, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, Ireland; Nanotechnology and Bio-Engineering Research Group, Department of Environmental Science, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, IrelandCentre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing (PEM) Centre, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, Ireland; Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, IrelandCentre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing (PEM) Centre, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, Ireland; Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, IrelandFaculty of Engineering & Design, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, IrelandContract Research Unit, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, IrelandContract Research Unit, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, IrelandContract Research Unit, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, IrelandYeats Academy of Arts Design & Architecture (YADA), Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, IrelandFaculty of Engineering & Design, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, IrelandDepartment of Environmental Science, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, Ireland; Contract Research Unit, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, IrelandCentre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing (PEM) Centre, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, Ireland; Nanotechnology and Bio-Engineering Research Group, Department of Environmental Science, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Sligo, IrelandThe use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has become essential to reduce the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as it prevents the direct contact of body fluid aerosols expelled from carriers. However, many countries have reported critical supply shortages due to the spike in demand during the outbreak in 2020. One potential solution to ease pressure on conventional supply chains is the local fabrication of PPE, particularly face shields, due to their simplistic design. The purpose of this paper is to provide a research protocol and cost implications for the rapid development and manufacturing of face shields by individuals or companies with minimal equipment and materials. This article describes a best practice case study in which the establishment of a local manufacturing hub resulted in the swift production of 12,000 face shields over a seven-week period to meet PPE shortages in the North-West region of Ireland. Protocols and processes for the design, materials sourcing, prototyping, manufacturing, and distribution of face shields are described. Three types of face shields were designed and manufactured, including Flat, Laser-cut, and 3D-printed models. Of the models tested, the Flat model proved the most cost-effective (€0.51/unit), while the Laser-cut model was the most productive (245 units/day). The insights obtained from this study demonstrate the capacity for local voluntary workforces to be quickly mobilised in response to a healthcare emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123022001220COVID-19Personal protective equipment (PPE)Medical face shield3D-printingMicro-supply chains |
| spellingShingle | Sean O'Connor Snehamol Mathew Foram Dave David Tormey Una Parsons Mel Gavin Paul Mc Nama Ruth Moran Mark Rooney Ross McMorrow John Bartlett Suresh C. Pillai COVID-19: Rapid prototyping and production of face shields via flat, laser-cut, and 3D-printed models Results in Engineering COVID-19 Personal protective equipment (PPE) Medical face shield 3D-printing Micro-supply chains |
| title | COVID-19: Rapid prototyping and production of face shields via flat, laser-cut, and 3D-printed models |
| title_full | COVID-19: Rapid prototyping and production of face shields via flat, laser-cut, and 3D-printed models |
| title_fullStr | COVID-19: Rapid prototyping and production of face shields via flat, laser-cut, and 3D-printed models |
| title_full_unstemmed | COVID-19: Rapid prototyping and production of face shields via flat, laser-cut, and 3D-printed models |
| title_short | COVID-19: Rapid prototyping and production of face shields via flat, laser-cut, and 3D-printed models |
| title_sort | covid 19 rapid prototyping and production of face shields via flat laser cut and 3d printed models |
| topic | COVID-19 Personal protective equipment (PPE) Medical face shield 3D-printing Micro-supply chains |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123022001220 |
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