How is the 3D printing community responding to COVID-19?

During the last few days, a wide range of initiatives have emerged across the world to face the current health crisis. It’s no secret that global stocks are running low for essential products such as masks or ventilators. Hospitals are the first to suffer from the lack of equipment. The 3D printing community has mobilised and put online a number of resources that will help face the current crisis. In such times, it is very encouraging and positive to see such a response from the AM community and players. It’s true that 3D printing can offer a lot of flexibility – simply unachievable with traditional manufacturing technologies. If you own a 3D printer, in a matter of hours you could make a mask or create a ventilator. The model just needs to exist in a digital file such as an STL file and sent to the 3D printer. Below, you will find all the details on the initiatives that have been launched up to this date.

3D Printed Masks and Ventilators

Copper3D has launched its Hack the Pandemic global initiative, which aims to mobilize all manufacturers of machines, 3D printing services, or fablabs to produce their NanoHack mask. This mask can be used as a replacement for N95 masks. NanoHack is antiviral, washable, reusable, recyclable and affordable. The company has released the STL file to the mask, and also instructions on how to print it and assemble it. Copper3D filed a patent, which it has also shared on its website. It explains that a team of scientists from the US and Chile are behind the development of NanoHack. You can find the file HERE.

As we were telling you at the beginning of the week, in Italy a few companies mobilised to 3D print valves for respiratory intensive care equipment in a hospital in Brescia. The intervention could save the lives of 10 COVID-19 patients – a showcase of the efficiency of 3D printing technologies in emergency cases. We contacted the designer behind the 3D printed valve that was attached to the ICU equipment, Christian Fracassi who told us: “I can’t share the file because at the moment only 150 parts are needed. If a hospital gives me the correct code for the valve and they have contacted their supplier who told them that they cannot deliver on time, then I will send them the file. The Prime Minister called me personally and asked me not to share anything.”