With the corona virus affecting millions around the world, there has been a call to take preventative measures to stop the spread of the disease. One of these measures has been to wear face masks whenever you go out into public, however this measure is increasingly becoming harder to do with the shortage of face masks sweeping the globe. In class, we talked about 3d printing, and how you can pretty much fabricate anything if you have the right design logistics for it. Now in this time of need, many 3d printing designers and manufactures are starting to produce 3d printed masks and respirators for people to use. According to an article posted by the 3d Printing Industry, “professional AM providers, makers and designers in the 3D printing community have already begun to respond to the global crisis by volunteering their respective skills to ease the pressure on supply chains and governments” (3d Printing Industry). This illustrates the power that 3d printing can have on our lives, where it can help produce things that can help keep us safe during difficult times. It’s also just not masks and respirators that are being 3d printed to help combat Covid-19, but also needed hospital values, door handle attachments (to help stop the spread of germs), and hand sanitizer holders.
I believe that the corona virus has really started to show people the power that 3d printing can have to help make our lives easier. It has really started easing the pressure on placed on companies that are having supply-chain issues because of the virus, and it has started to produce items that everyday consumers can use as well. I believe that we are only on the forefront of what 3d printing is going to be able to do, and the coronavirus has only highlighted the benefits that 3d printing can bring. It will be interesting to see the role that 3d printing will play after the pandemic is finally over.
3D Printing Community responds to COVID-19 and Coronavirus resources