Coronavirus: SYS Systems & Y Soft 3D print face shields01 April 2020
3D-printing specialist SYS Systems and enterprise office solutions provider Y Soft Corporation have joined the fight against Coronavirus by 3D printing protective face shields.
Derbyshire-based SYS is putting its range of Stratasys 3D printers at its Additive Manufacturing Centre HQ to work, with the aim of creating as many of the masks as possible and distributing them to those in most need. It has also contacted all customers who own the relevant 3D printers required to do the work and sent them clear, Stratasys-approved designs and instructions to get started.
SYS Systems MD Matt Fulton says: “Like everyone else we have been inspired by the efforts of NHS staff and our emergency services in these uncertain times, so we felt it was our duty to do something to assist.
“3D printing is proving an essential part of the global response to the Covid-19 epidemic due to how quickly and reliably it can produce parts related to shields, masks and ventilators among other things, helping to address shortages.
“We hope our customers will join us in doing everything we can to arm key workers with the tools they need to perform their essential duties, and we thank them in advance for their support.”
To help maximise hygiene and for ease of shipping, SYS Systems – a Stratasys UK platinum partner and part of the Carfulan Group - is recommending that those able to print protective face shields allow letting the provider or end user of the items to assemble them. Those who can produce visors or shields in bulk but who do not have a customer for them are being urged to send them to SYS Systems for wider distribution.
Y Soft Corporation, meanwhile, is also using its 3D printers to produce protective face shields and binder strips for hospitals across the world. It is currently producing around 500 of the shields per day.
The face shields - which are being produced using the Y Soft be3D eDee printers, designed for the education sector – are being donated for free to hospitals to help protect medical workers. In the UK, Y Soft is currently supplying three hospitals with the face shields: University Hospital Bristol, Devon Partnership NHS Trust and UHCW NHS Trust.
“The world was not prepared for the current situation. While we cannot handle massive production, it turns out that everyone can voluntarily contribute their own efforts. That's why we got involved as a company,” says Y Soft founder Václav Muchna.
“Our office workers around the world also use affordable 3D printers to print protective equipment for healthcare professionals. It is a way to help people in hospitals. I’m extremely proud of how YSofters have come together to do this kind of work without prompting from anyone. We are in this together.”
He continues, “Our manufacturing isn’t outfitted for ongoing mass production, but clearly a little bit from everyone can help. We see the contribution as a small and simple step to helping the global pandemic.”
Adam Offord
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