Make is contributing via #thebigprint, set up by 3DCrowd, which currently has over 80,000 face shields in production for NHS frontline workers. Over 345,000 have been requested.
To date, Make has created 300 bands for the project and is one of almost 660 organisations to have created 16,704 items over the weekend alone.
Paul Miles, Make’s modelshop lead, said: “It’s a community-wide effort, and it’s great that we at Make can do our bit. As designers and makers, it’s great to be able to use our skills to help the national effort; I know many other practices are involved too. I made my first batch of 300 this weekend for #thebigprint, which will be collected tomorrow, assembled and with hospitals by the end of the week. The aim is to print 100 units per day, using 8 of our Ultimakers that came home with us from the studio. It’s noisy for the homeschooling, but it’s worth it.
“We’re following a ‘Prusa’ design which was verified by local trust, practice and infection control committees. Once created, DPD is providing free collection from our homes and delivering to a central assembly location. From there, the bands will be sterilised before delivery to hospitals.”
3DCrowd is looking for volunteers for a variety of roles, not just printing. To find out more, visit https://www.3dcrowd.uk/
