By Theresia Titus
Western Australian company Frontier 3D has recently approached Lumen Christi College to borrow two college-owned 3D printers to be used to produce face shields for healthcare workers in response to COVID-19 situation.
The 3D printers are usually used to provide students with hands-on printing experience; however, the current COVID-19 crisis has resulted in an urgent need for more personal protective equipment (PPE).
Recognising this need and their ability to help, Frontier 3D contacted the Gosnells-based co-ed school to utilise its 3D printers – Lumen Christi staff were happy to help with the project, loaning two of their printers to the cause.
Principal Karen Prendergast believes the current coronavirus-led crisis has led to many looking for ways to combat the spreading of COVID-19.
“We commend Tim Courtland from Frontier 3D for this fantastic initiative of using 3D printers to create face shields,” Ms Prendergast said.
“If our equipment can be used to help create PPE and assist our healthcare workers, then we want to make sure that it is being utilised.
“That’s why we were more than happy to be able to loan Frontier 3D our 3D printers and contribute to the production of face shields,” she continued.
Ms Prendergast said the initiative provided a learning point for the students on “how 3D printing technology can be used to find solutions to real-world problems”.
With Frontier 3D’s existing printers, plus those loaned from Lumen Christi as well as others loaned from Willetton Senior High School, an output of 40 face shields can be produced daily, with each one taking about two hours to print using polylactic acid for the headpiece, which is fitted with a laser-cut clear polyethylene terephthalate face shield.
The face shields, which can be thoroughly cleaned and reused, will be used by medical personnel to act as a barrier for droplet spread and help them to refrain from inadvertently touching their face.
“We hope that we can come together as a community, whether that be in person or virtually, and support one another through this challenging time,” Ms Prendergast added.
“In a time of such unease, we want to make sure that our students and staff still feel connected and to our College community.
“We also hope that we will come out of this with a stronger appreciation for time spent with one another and the experiences that we get to share in as a community,” she concluded.