Welcome to Smarter Every Day! I’m Destin, and today, we’re diving into an exciting project that combines technology, community effort, and a bit of ingenuity to help fight COVID-19. We’re in a warehouse that once worked on the Saturn V rocket, but now, it’s the hub for a new mission: creating and distributing 3D printed face shields for healthcare workers.
COVID-19 is a serious global issue, and our healthcare workers are on the front lines, risking exposure every day. Protective equipment is crucial for their safety, but the sudden demand has strained supply chains worldwide. In less populated areas like North Alabama, resources are often redirected to more densely populated regions, leaving local healthcare workers in need.
Recognizing this need, we decided to take action. The goal was to produce protective gear, specifically face shields, and ensure they reached the healthcare workers who needed them most. This wasn’t just about making the shields; it was about coordinating efforts to create an efficient distribution network.
Enter Joe Prusa, founder of the Prusa 3D printer company in the Czech Republic. His team designed a 3D printable face shield that could be easily made using common materials. This design quickly spread online, inspiring makers worldwide to contribute. However, simply printing shields isn’t enough; they must meet medical standards and be delivered efficiently.
To streamline the process, we established a communication network with local hospitals to determine their exact needs. We shared this information through local online communities, encouraging anyone with a 3D printer to join the effort. Over 350 people signed up, and we coordinated their efforts through a centralized system.
While 3D printing is effective, it’s not the fastest method. Injection molding, for example, can produce parts much quicker. When a local injection molding shop owner offered help, we collaborated to fund materials and design a mold, significantly increasing our production capacity.
Producing face shields is just one part of the process; ensuring they’re safe for use is another. We reached out to experts who helped us set up a disinfection line. Nurses and dental hygienists guided us in developing a system to properly sanitize each shield. We also organized a drive-thru drop-off point for community members to safely contribute their 3D printed parts.
Once sanitized, the face shields were packaged and distributed to local medical facilities. We created instruction sheets and procedures to streamline the process for volunteers, ensuring everything ran smoothly. The community’s response was overwhelming, with thousands of parts collected in just a few hours.
The key takeaway from this project is the power of community action. By working together, we can address local needs and make a significant impact. If you’re inspired to help, find local leaders, join forces, and share your knowledge with others. Use the hashtag #[your city]FightingCOVID to connect with like-minded individuals and contribute to the global effort.
This is a challenge we can tackle together, even from home. Let’s unite our skills and resources to support our healthcare heroes. Remember, teamwork is essential. I’m Destin, and you’re getting smarter every day. Don’t forget to wash your hands and stay safe. Goodbye!
Join a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to design and print a simple object using a 3D printer. This activity will help you understand the basics of 3D printing technology and its applications in creating essential items like face shields.
Participate in a simulation game where you will take on roles such as healthcare workers, logistics coordinators, and community volunteers. Your task is to efficiently distribute resources, like face shields, to areas in need. This will teach you about the importance of communication and coordination in crisis situations.
Work in teams to brainstorm and design improvements to the existing 3D printed face shield model. Consider factors like comfort, durability, and ease of production. Present your designs to the class and discuss the potential impact of your innovations.
Research different methods of disinfecting medical equipment and present your findings to the class. Focus on the processes used to ensure the safety of 3D printed face shields. This will enhance your understanding of the importance of hygiene and safety in medical settings.
Create a social media campaign to raise awareness about the importance of community action in supporting healthcare workers. Use the hashtag #[your city]FightingCOVID and develop content that encourages others to get involved in similar initiatives.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hey, it’s me, Destin. Welcome back to Smarter Every Day. I’m alone, so I can take this off. I am in a warehouse that was once used to work on the Saturn V rocket, and we have just spent the whole day preparing a line to disinfect and sanitize 3D printed materials. These materials come in from the community, and we disinfect them throughout the process. We dry them off right here, and then we package them up, ready to ship out to doctors and nurses.
I want to make a video to show you how we did this. It’s one thing to create a 3D printed face shield; it’s quite another to manage the logistics to get it out to the community so we can fight COVID-19 together. This involves a lot of cooperation among people, and I would like to show you how we set this up.
Here’s where we’re at right now: COVID-19 is serious. There’s no miracle drug that will just heal someone once they get it, and our healthcare workers are out there every day fighting this virus. Some of them are becoming exposed because they are on the front lines, and they need protective equipment. However, our supply chains were stressed because this hit everywhere all at once, globally. If you live in a place like North Alabama, you’re likely aware that most protective equipment is being shipped to more densely populated areas.
A couple of weeks ago, I noticed this situation and thought, “It’s on us.” I visualize the problem like this: the medical community is the front line of defense in our fight against the virus. These healthcare workers need to be protected, so they wear various protective gear that reduces the likelihood of them getting sick. Right now, we don’t have enough of this protective gear. These trained professionals are not people we can easily replace if they become ill.
What we can do is help make them protective gear so they can stay in the fight. However, it’s not just enough to make the gear; it has to be done in a coordinated way so that it reaches the front lines where it’s needed most. Makers are independent thinkers, but it’s crucial that we make what the hospitals need and create an efficient distribution chain to get it to them.
This video is not just about making face shields for your community; it’s about getting your hometown to rally together to meet the medical infrastructure’s needs as a team. Even though we may feel isolated, the collective effort is fully operational when it comes to protective equipment.
This is Joe Prusa, the founder of the Prusa 3D printer company in the Czech Republic. His team designed a 3D printable face shield that can be easily fabricated using old transparencies. This has been a huge success and has circulated widely on the internet. However, just because you have a 3D printer doesn’t mean you can print something and rush to the hospital. If everyone prints what they think is right, it can lead to confusion and frustration.
A more efficient way is to have everyone in the maker community interact with the medical community through one touchpoint. In our case, we did this through the supply chain. I recommend finding a leader in your area who has communicated with a hospital to find out exactly what they need. In our case, it was face shields.
We circulated this information in local subreddits and among bloggers, making a call to action for anyone with a 3D printer to print a specific STL file. People signed up through a Google form, and we quickly had 350 people 3D printing and the ability to communicate with them.
I’ve talked to many people doing this in their cities, and they say the same thing: once they established communication, most people just jumped in. However, there are always those who want to suggest alternatives. My advice? Just print the file as requested. It’s important to follow the doctors’ requests.
While your team is printing, it’s also essential to think ahead. For example, 3D printing takes about three hours for each part, while injection molding can produce a part every 25 seconds. When a local injection molding shop owner responded to our call for help, we funded materials, and he worked through the night to design a mold.
We initially focused on face shields, but we still needed to figure out how to collect and disinfect them. We reached out to a contact who had created a program called Operation Shields Up, which was further along in the process than we were. He provided guidance on setting up our disinfection line.
We established a system for cataloging incoming parts and began the disinfection process, ensuring that every face shield was sanitized properly. A group of nurses and dental hygienists helped us develop a system to disinfect the 3D-printed parts, and we optimized our process based on their expertise.
We also set up a drive-thru drop-off point for the community’s 3D printed parts, maintaining social distancing. In just two hours, we collected 3,800 parts, showcasing the diverse group of people united in this cause.
As we prepared these parts for distribution, we ensured that they were thoroughly disinfected. We created instruction sheets and procedures to streamline the process for volunteers. We also coordinated with local medical offices to inform them of the availability of these shields.
The key takeaway is to assume no one is coming to help. Find local leaders and amplify their efforts. Whatever you learn, share it with other communities in need.
If you’re in a city fighting COVID, use the hashtag #[your city]FightingCOVID to connect with others. We created a website to facilitate sign-ups for 3D printing, volunteering, and donations.
This is a global problem best fought at the local level. You need a team with various skills, and much of this can be done from home. I want to highlight some of the amazing people involved in #HuntsvilleFightingCOVID who have contributed to this effort.
This is something you can do for your city right now. The key is to work together. Now go find your team. Remember, #[your city]FightingCOVID. I’m Destin, and you’re getting smarter every day. Go wash your hands. Have a good one. Bye!
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This version maintains the core message while removing any informal language or personal anecdotes that may not be suitable for all audiences.
Face Shields – Protective devices worn on the face to prevent exposure to infectious agents or hazardous materials. – During the pandemic, engineers designed more efficient face shields to protect healthcare workers.
COVID-19 – A highly infectious respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. – The engineering team developed a new ventilation system to improve air quality in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.
Healthcare – The organized provision of medical care to individuals or a community. – Advances in biomedical engineering have significantly improved healthcare delivery systems.
Community – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. – Engineers collaborated with the local community to design a sustainable water purification system.
3D Printing – A manufacturing process that creates a physical object from a digital design by layering materials. – 3D printing technology was used to produce essential medical supplies during the health crisis.
Safety – The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury. – Engineers must prioritize safety when designing equipment for use in healthcare settings.
Disinfection – The process of cleaning something, especially with a chemical, to destroy bacteria. – Automated disinfection systems were engineered to reduce the spread of infections in hospitals.
Production – The process of creating goods and services. – The rapid production of medical devices was crucial in responding to the increased demand during the pandemic.
Distribution – The action of sharing something out among a number of recipients. – Efficient distribution networks are essential for delivering medical supplies to healthcare facilities.
Engineering – The application of scientific and mathematical principles to design and build structures, machines, and systems. – Biomedical engineering has led to the development of innovative technologies that improve patient care.
