3D printed face shields for front lines workers
UPDATE:
This project has evolved beyond my imagination! I am truly humbled by both the support received, and the staggering need for PPE in our communities.
To date the project has sent out over 650 shields into the wild, to nursing homes, care homes, care in the community, community nurses, hospitals, doctors surgeries, mental health workers, and more.
This would not have been possible without your support! The project really is making a difference. Not only physically, but mentally too, with care workers feeling safer at work, and more prepared for the daunting jobs they face at this time.
Currently, the printers are coping with demand (though there is a short waiting list). I've just taken delivery of hundreds and hundreds of screens, which will now be processed ASAP. With that in mind, it is my intention that future funds go towards the ongoing material costs, a very small amount of advertising to continue to reach those in need and help spread the word.
Any excess donations at the end of the project will be donated to Gloucestershire NHS, as well as some used to service the equipment bought with donations, prior to gifting them to a school.
ORIGINAL:
I’m retrospectively raising funds to cover some (not all!) of the costs of producing emergency face-shields for front line workers in the local area who may be missed by the larger national efforts, or otherwise not qualify due to short supply. I have already spent this money out of my own pocket, this isn’t a plan, it’s an already delivering project
I do not charge a penny for these to front line workers - I make a loss not a profit. Each unit costs me approx. 60 pence!
____________Units/Production____________
Printers:
Creality CR10 (heavily modified)
Ender 3 Pro (Seeking funding for this!)
Controller(s):
Pi 3B+
Pi Zero W
Software:
Simplify3D
Octopi/Octoprint
50 off have so far been produced. I have the visor material for a maximum of 700 units. Time is of the essence and my current printer can only reliably produce 3pcs/hr despite three days of optimisation - this is a hard limit.
To mitigate this I have bought a second printer which has just arrived to double my output and provide more shields in a meaningful time frame. When/if local need dwindles, the parts I am printing are the design of a national collaboration, and can be fed into that broader supply chain instead.
____________Post COVID-19____________
Once this project is no longer necessary I will donate the printer(s) funded by this GoFundMe, materials and any useful tooling to a local school that does not currently have 3D printing capability.
This isn't for profit, I will end up making a large net donation to this project myself as I am *not* fundraising for the full amount spent, just for the kit detailed on this page. I may purchase a third printer if it is necessary.
____________Where are they going?____________
Being prepped for delivery:
o [20 off] Penna Homecare
o [20 off] Personal doctors/nurse friends and their colleagues
o [20 off] Gloucester Royal
Future:
o [20 off] Regent St GP Surgery (possible)
o [ ∞ off] Gloucester Royal.
The need is apparent.
____________What your ££ pays for____________
Happy to self audit and provide band statements and receipts for all purchases I would like support with, which include (but are not limited to):
- 7kg mixed filaments ~£100
- 700 off 240 mic acetate A4 binder blanks ~£100
- Second printer ~£240
- PPE (gloves, mask) sterilisation & sealing kit. ~£50
____________Sob Story____________
Having just bought a house, I've been furloughed to 80% salary. I've had to take a mortgage holiday to assist with that. However, this is important to me and I would be extremely grateful to have some support in this project.
Sitting around forcibly at home doing nothing (especially as a fit and healthy young person) whilst others work tirelessly to fight COVID-19 isn't something I can do.
I am willing to self fund entirely if necessary, and I intend to keep going until there is no longer a requirement.
