How we fight COVID-19<\/span><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i>How we help<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>How you can help<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>We are at war against the coronavirus. Markforged is doing everything it can to support the medical community in the fight against COVID-19. The 3D printer is one of the most powerful and flexible tools engineers can bring to this fight. Together with our customers and partners, we have more than 10,000 globally distributed, cloud-connected industrial 3D printers. We look for the most impactful medical applications that we can bring into production across our network. If you have a great idea or need help, please get in touch with us by email markforged@mark3d.de<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWe have developed and tested an open-source 3D printable face shield for Markforged 3D printers. To learn more about how you can make a difference, please click here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/www.mark3d.com\/de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/asdff.png\" "\\"asdff\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>How we approach the problem<\/span><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>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:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>- <\/i><\/span>Testing. Knowing the location of the virus is the first step to stopping it, and we need to scale the test volume quickly.<\/span><\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>Fast PPE (personal protective equipment). We need to keep our frontline fighters safe and healthy during Corona so they can keep fighting.<\/span><\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>Robust PPE. We need more durable solutions that can be worn and reused over a longer period of time and provide complete protection.<\/span><\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>Patient equipment. Based on the experience of other regions, there is a critical shortage of life-saving patient equipment such as ventilators. We try to anticipate shortages and counteract them creatively.<\/span><\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>Optimization of the supply chain \/ workflow. In such a battle, all manufacturers must deliver critical items wherever possible. Industrial 3D printers can quickly optimize supply chains and work around obstacles as factory lines adapt. We stand ready to help any manufacturer that needs assistance.<\/span><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/www.mark3d.com\/de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/3d-printing-vs-Corona-covid19-markforged-mark3d-parts7.jpg\" "\\"3d-printing-vs-Corona-covid19-markforged-mark3d-parts7\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>What we do specifically<\/span><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Blog post<\/strong>
\nWe have summarized how we are actively helping in our blog. You can also find a TV report there. Find out more now.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>3D printed face shields<\/strong>
\nProblem: 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.<\/span><\/p>\nSolution:<\/strong> 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.<\/span><\/p>\nStatus:<\/strong> 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<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>3D printed nasal swabs<\/strong>
\nProblem: 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.<\/span><\/p>\nSolution:<\/strong> 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.<\/span><\/p>\nStatus:<\/strong> 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.<\/span><\/p>\nDurable PPE<\/strong>
\nProblem: 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.<\/span><\/p>\nSolution:<\/strong> 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.<\/span><\/p>\nStatus:<\/strong> Prototypes have been developed and are currently undergoing initial tests.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>How you can help<\/span><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Markforged and we support the helpers! In the current times, true heroes are showing themselves. Doctors, nurses and helpers are working for others for hours on end every day. We want to support these helpers with 3D printed parts for self-protection. <\/span><\/p>\nThis has led us to provide you with a set of print-ready .STL files. So you too can help!<\/span><\/p>\nThis set includes two different face masks, a respirator strap, a door opener, a virus protection mask and other useful files. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>3D printed face shields<\/strong>
\nMarkforged has designed and validated a 3D printable face shield that you can create and distribute. Before you start creating your own, please read these instructions. We currently only support Markforged customers and partners.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>- <\/i><\/span>Contact a hospital, medical service provider or other user before you start printing face shields.<\/span><\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>Do NOT produce shields<\/strong>if you or people close to you have been ill or show symptoms of COVID-19.<\/span><\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>Wear PPE (nitrile gloves) when printing and assembling these face shields. After you are finished, place the finished parts in a sealed and dated plastic bag.<\/span><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>
We are at war against the coronavirus. Markforged is doing everything it can to support the medical community in the fight against COVID-19. The 3D printer is one of the most powerful and flexible tools engineers can bring to this fight. Together with our customers and partners, we have more than 10,000 globally distributed, cloud-connected industrial 3D printers. We look for the most impactful medical applications that we can bring into production across our network. If you have a great idea or need help, please get in touch with us by email markforged@mark3d.de<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n We have developed and tested an open-source 3D printable face shield for Markforged 3D printers. To learn more about how you can make a difference, please click here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> 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:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Blog post<\/strong> 3D printed face shields<\/strong> Solution:<\/strong> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Status:<\/strong> 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<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> 3D printed nasal swabs<\/strong> Solution:<\/strong> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Status:<\/strong> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Durable PPE<\/strong> Solution:<\/strong> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Status:<\/strong> Prototypes have been developed and are currently undergoing initial tests.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Markforged and we support the helpers! In the current times, true heroes are showing themselves. Doctors, nurses and helpers are working for others for hours on end every day. We want to support these helpers with 3D printed parts for self-protection. <\/span><\/p>\n This has led us to provide you with a set of print-ready .STL files. So you too can help!<\/span><\/p>\n This set includes two different face masks, a respirator strap, a door opener, a virus protection mask and other useful files. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> 3D printed face shields<\/strong><\/span><\/div>How we approach the problem<\/span><\/h2><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>What we do specifically<\/span><\/h2><\/div>
\nWe have summarized how we are actively helping in our blog. You can also find a TV report there. Find out more now.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>
\nProblem: 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.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nProblem: 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.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nProblem: 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.<\/span><\/p>\nHow you can help<\/span><\/h2><\/div>
\nMarkforged has designed and validated a 3D printable face shield that you can create and distribute. Before you start creating your own, please read these instructions. We currently only support Markforged customers and partners.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>