A 3D printer in Manchester Central Library is producing personal protective equipment (PPE) for health and social care workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Before the lockdown the high-tech equipment in the Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) could be used by local businesses.
But staff are now using it to make protective face shields as part of a national effort to donate hundreds of thousands of PPE to those at the frontline of the crisis through the ShieldNHS scheme.
A single mask takes around 90 minutes to print, and the simple design is being used around the world.
Around 40 headbands have already been made which are ready to be attached to acetate sheets. BIPC staff are hoping to create 15 to 20 new shields a day.
The printer is running at the home of a staff member who has also built a second device to double the potential output.
Staff are being supported by engineer Nik Sheppard, who runs the Shielding Stockport PPE initiative, to source the necessary materials to make the 3D printer work.
Coun Luthfur Raman, executive member for skills, culture and leisure at Manchester council, said: “The BIPC is in normal times a fantastic resource for local people who want to grow their existing small business, or start a new venture.
“It’s no surprise that its staff have come up with this brilliant way to use the latest technology to support frontline health and care workers during the coronavirus pandemic.”
For more information about ShieldNHS, click here.
