Coquitlam’s IoT Design Shop is a member of an initiative dubbed the BC COVID-19 Printing Group. The program is where each one from hobbyists in their organization to business enterprises throw several 3D printers at the duty of shielding health care employees.
With a dozen 3D machines and laser cutters, Coquitlam’s IoT Design Shop is usually in the business of creating one-off prototypes for the “internet of things.”
The founder, Trent Shumay of Port Moody said this: “Turns out the equipment is pretty handy for printing face shields as well.”
Shumay is among the several firms and people around the Lower Mainland recycling their manufacturing lines in a non-profit project known as the BC COVID-19 Printing Group. Through tapping of open-source pattern- specs from other additive manufacturing across the globe, anybody with a printer, from a hobbyist in their foundation to marketing enterprises throwing several devices at the project may participate.
Also, health care staff are advised t connect straight with producers so they may request order and meet supply with demand.
All things, as well as materials and time, are given and one of the maxims of the crew is no money is to switch hands.
Many of the requests have been for Royal Columbian Hospital and a neighboring COVID-19 screening hospital operated by several nurses, doctors and other employees from Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Port Moody, and New Westminster.
Until now, the team has had requests put for over 3,000 plastic guarding visors created from 2 parts: an additively manufactured frame and granted synthetic sheeting, laser-cut to scope and form.
The team has as well begun to make another little-known comfort called as ear savers that have turned out to be very popular among healthcare staff serving for extended hours behind the masks.
“These folks are wearing face masks all day long. They say, ‘This whole ear strap thing is becoming a problem,’” stated Shumay. “It takes the two earlobe straps and holds them off the ears. The world has changed,” he continued, noting the DIY tech approach to a supply issue. “I’m just happy to do something that helps.”
