Western University is doing its part to ensure frontline healthcare workers have the personal protective equipment they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An advanced manufacturing team with the university's machine services is producing hundreds of medical face shields to be sent to area hospitals within days. The low-cost shields are being created using polycarbonate, an impact-resistant and transparent plastic, and 3D-printed Velcro fasteners that allow for adjustable head placement.
Machine services, which typically does lab-to-pilot scale laboratory equipment, computer numerical control machining, and 3D-modelling and printing, switched its area of focus to the much needed medical equipment as hospitals began reporting shortages.
“A few of our team members have spouses working at the hospital, so this really hit close to home. This wasn’t a job we had to do but when I mentioned it (to the team), everyone stepped up,” said Western Machine Services Manager Clayton Cook. “Now, the hospital needs us and Western is letting us get to work. It feels great to do our part.”
Cook and his team collaborated with the university's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry to ensure the face shields meet hospital standards.
The first prototype was produced last Monday with the team now able to churn out up to 300 medical face shields a day.
