Vancouver studio uses 3D printers to make face shields for hospital workers

A Vancouver marketing company has retooled its 3D printers to make face shields for front line health care workers fighting COVID-19. But they can’t keep up with demand. As Isabelle Raghem reports, it’s now asking others with 3D printers to join them.

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A Vancouver studio is putting its 3D printers to work making face shields for healthcare workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

LNG studios typically uses the machines to create realistic models of architectural projects but when they heard news of a shortage of protective equipment they found a way to use their skills and equipment to pitch in.

https://twitter.com/lngstudios/status/1243318898847604737

“We started printing some prototypes and we dropped off a few at Richmond Hospital. We have some approval from them and they just immediately said, ‘I need 50 right away,'” said Leon Ng, CEO.

“We’re definitely in a unique position to give back. The traditional supply chain is completely stressed, and it takes probably one or two weeks for these face shields to get to them. So we thought that it was a good deed on our side to do what we can here.”

But even at full speed, the studio can’t meet the demand fast enough.

So LNG is asking others in the 3D printing community to lend their tools to the task and for others to help fund production.

“Only after receiving confirmation that the face shields work and can actually be used at the individual hospitals, did we decide to call out to the rest of the 3D printing community to help us with producing higher quantities,” says a GoFundMe page set up by the studio.

“Hospitals and health clinics across the lower mainland have put out a call for help. There is a massive shortage of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) supplies in facilities to adequately protect front line medical workers.”

By Sunday over $12,000 had been raised.

“We need to increase production to get these face shields in the hands of thousands of doctors and healthcare workers. We’re calling on the 3D printing community in Vancouver as well as other businesses to help fund this project. Together, our coalition will help save more lives and make a bigger impact,” the page says.

“Our own LNG Studios staff have families and friends who are working tirelessly in the different hospitals across the city, and we just want to contribute and help where we can.”

Ng says the studio has no plans to slow down, at least not until hospitals have what they need.

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