COVID-19 is pushing our healthcare resources to the limit. With the growing number of hospitals running out of face shields and the short term projected need being way beyond normal supply chain volumes, we have responded by shifting our own and our partners capacity to support the global call for PPE.

In an open letter published last week, Axial3D’s CEO, Roger Johnston said that the company is currently evaluating and prototyping various 3D printed devices, parts and equipment that will be essential in tackling the COVID-19 outbreak.

The response has been incredible, with many people and organizations reaching out to support, including the School of Science, Engineering and Construction at Belfast Met, who reached out to loan Axial3D a further 8 3D printers to expand our capacity to produce shields for hospitals and healthcare workers.

Since then, Axial3D and our partners have been busy producing face shields that can be used by frontline workers, the first batches of which have already been dispatched.

Strong work by @Axial_3D and @axial3Dan 3D printing visors to protect frontline staff from #COVID19 as the supply chain is under too much stress.#NotAllHeroesWearCapes pic.twitter.com/gaAjyAYrmL

— Alex Alamri (@AlexAlamri) March 31, 2020

Axial3D’s operations team has also been busy prototyping other parts including 3D printing parts for:

• COVID-19 test kits
• Swabs
• Masks
• Ventilators

Axial3D Face Shield

The face shield acts as a physical barrier that can protect health care workers’ faces from external fluids, and keep them safe as they treat patients during these unprecedented times.

The face shield comprises 2 parts:

• A reusable head band, that is easy to disinfect - this material meets the USP Class I-VI and US Food and Drug Administration’s (“FDA”) guidance for Intact Skin Surface Devices.
• Face shields - these can be single use or multi use, subject to a hospitals disinfecting policies.

The shields are easy to assemble, reusable, and comfortable for healthcare workers.

To find out more about the face shields, please reach out at contact@axial3D.com.

Up Next: Axial3D to showcase medical 3D printing at HIMSS 2020