March 28, 2020
3D PRINTING SOLUTIONS FOR FRONTLINERS UPDATE
The unavailability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), particularly face shields, puts the lives of our medical frontliners at risk. The UP College of Engineering (UPCoE) recognized this critical need and initiated a project together with Meta-Tech laboratory to 3D-print face shield frames masks to address the dwindling supply of this critical equipment. 3D printers were pooled from the different UPCOE departments, members of the UP Diliman community, and industry partners. The project aims to produce a minimum of 100 face shield frames per day.
The following are some updates on the project:
- 3D-Printers and infrastructures
Eleven 3D printers are now installed at the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (EEEI) building, Velasquez Street University of the Philippines Diliman Q.C. Having a centralized facility was strategic as it boosted logistics and allowed the use of idle assets. The printers require minimal manpower. Transportation of raw materials to the venue will be handled primarily by UP Diliman resources. Measures are in place to reduce the health risk of team members going out to deliver printouts.
The project is still operating under capacity; hence, the team is still looking to add more 3D printers to boost the capacity of the printing farm. Please refer to the relevant appeal below.
- Face shield masks design
The initial design of the face shield frame and final product are shown in the images below. Further ergonomic design optimization is currently being performed. Also, additional assembly is required to construct the face shields, and this is being coordinated with other groups.
- Recipient
The Philippine College of Emergency Medicine (PCEM) will be the initial recipient of the printed face shields, and they will also be involved in its subsequent distribution.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Though the project is progressing steadily, it is still in need of ample assistance. The following are ways you can help the team in this undertaking:
3D Printer, Printing Supplies, Filaments and Consumables donations
The project is still in need of more 3D printers to add to the current pool. If you are willing to lend us your personal printer, or know of offices with idle printers that we may approach, please provide us the information via the following link:
bit.ly/UPCoE3DPrint
The team is also accepting donations of unused polymer filaments, or even leftovers of good condition. They are currently working on linking with raw material providers to access this important raw material. Donations of acetate shields (minimum size: 8.5×12 inch or long size acetate), and 3D printer parts are similarly welcome. In-kind donations can be dropped off at the University avenue gate (Guard house) with a label: 3D printing project (EEEI building).
Cash donations
For cash donations, please course through the UP Engineering and Research Development Foundation (UPERDFI) or UP Alumni Engineers (UPAE) accounts:
Account Name: UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc.
Bank & Account No.: BPI (Loyola Katipunan Branch),
C/A 3081-0292-44
Account Name: UPAEA, Inc.
Bank & Account No.: BDO Peso Savings (Katipunan Branch),
003570035829
Account Name: University of the Philippines Alumni Engineers Association, Inc. (UPAEA, Inc.)
Bank & Account No.: BDO Dollar Savings (Katipunan Branch)
103570152663
SWIFT CODE: BNORPHMM
Kindly send a copy of the deposit slip, or a screenshot of the electronic transaction, to Dr. Eden May B. dela Peña (ebdelapena@up.edu.ph), Associate Dean for Public Service College of Engineering UP Diliman, for accounting purposes. Donations will be acknowledged accordingly, and an audited report will be emailed to our donors.
For more information about this project, please send an email to: Dr. Gerald Jo Denoga (gjcdenoga@gmail.com), Associate Dean for Research and Project lead.
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