How we fight COVID-19

We take a two-phase approach: design and scaling. In the first phase, we are working to design and validate effective parts - both internally and in collaboration with other teams. If we find applications that validate these criteria, we will scale production across our fleet and release to others for printing. Our overall stack rank for finding the most impact looks like this:

Blog post
We have summarized how we are actively helping in our blog. You can also find a TV report there. Find out more now.

3D printed face shields
Problem: Face shields are critical in the fight against infectious diseases: they protect the eyes (a vector of infection) and extend the life of N95 masks by protecting them from direct droplet flow. Unfortunately, personal protective shields are in short supply and are usually designed as disposable shields. For this reason, medical professionals either forgo shields or use disposable shields that far exceed their life expectancy.

Solution: The engineers at Markforged have developed a reusable face shield that can be produced with any Markforged 3D printer. It consists of a 3D printed frame, a face shield cut from PETg, a piece of foam tape and a standard elastic band. The clear face shields can be removed and replaced in less than 30 seconds.

Status: To date, we have produced over 300 face shields which we have distributed to local hospitals and first responders for testing purposes. These tests have been overwhelmingly positive and have provided us with some great feedback that will be incorporated into a second generation design that we plan to release at a later date. We have decided to open source the Generation 1 design so that Markforged customers and partners can print their own face shields. To find out more, please click here.

3D printed nasal swabs
Problem: Testing people and identifying COVID-19 infected patients is the first way to slow the spread of the disease. With the increase in global testing capacity, a new shortage has emerged: the specialized nasal swabs needed to perform the tests. To make matters worse, the main producer of these swabs is based in northern Italy, one of the most affected regions.

Solution: Markforged is working with a customer to design and test swab sticks that can be printed in just two minutes. These printed sticks can be flocked with rayon fibers to form functional nasal swabs. We believe that with a special print file we can produce 700 swabs per day per printer. For reference, this would mean that the 40-printer print farm where we print sample parts could produce 28,000 swabs per day.

Status: We are still testing, but plan to validate and certify our design in the coming days. After that, we plan to scale up production with key manufacturing partners.

Durable PPE
Problem: Medical providers are running out of the PPE they need to safely care for sick patients. Due to the massive global demand for this equipment, the shortage is likely to get worse before it gets better. Providers need durable, reusable devices that can withstand the duration of this outbreak.

Solution: Markforged is working with a number of local companies to develop an adapter that allows widely available HEPA filters to be fitted to full face snorkeling masks. This design combines the comfort and reusability of a face shield with the high-efficiency filtration that medical providers require.

Status: Prototypes have been developed and are currently undergoing initial tests.