To support frontline health workers in their battle to prevent the spread of current 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the government and the private sectors are initiating their respective production of protective face shields for medical frontliners.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is currently producing 3D-printed face shield frames for distribution to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and will be extended to other hospitals.
At the same time, the faculty and students of University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) are collaborating in producing face shields also with the use of 3D printers to produce laser-cut reusable acrylic plastic. They have produced 300 masks and plan to distribute more.
DOST’s Rappid-Admatec face shield project
Operating for 24 hours since March 23, the team of Engr. Fred P. Liza, project leader of the Research on Advanced Prototyping for Product Innovation and Development using Additive Manufacturing Technologies (Rappid-Admatec), started printing frames with an initial target of 1,000 pieces for the PGH.
“We are humbled by the opportunity to help in the urgent need of face shields, to cease the spread of this contagious disease. It will protect the face whenever a patient coughs or sneezes. Currently, we can print 10 frames every 1.5 hours,” Liza said.
The design for the 3D-printed frames will be optimized for further reduction of time during the production process.
“Currently, we are looking for ways to hasten production, such as using a larger nozzle size and modifying our printing parameters. Additional 3D printers are being reconfigured to augment our production volume,” he said.
“We are also looking into fabricating molds through DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center [MIRDC], and our technology partner, particularly Omnifab, for faster production of these frames using injection molding. Our goal is to deliver to the [PGH] every week via courier service,” he added.
Rappid-Admatec is one of the projects under Advanced Manufacturing Center R&D Program being supported by the DOST and is monitored by DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).
It focuses on advanced prototyping and speeds up its process by reducing the time it takes to fabricate components and products.
DOST Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara, for Research and Development, lauded the group for going the extra mile and contributing to the needs of our frontliners in battling Covid-19.
“As we make change happen through research and development, we maximize our assets to do our part in fighting Covid-19 with innovative solutions. We support our health workers with these visor shields that are products of our R&D facility,” she said.
DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit commended the group for their dedication during the enhanced community quarantine period.
“As strong believer and willing partner in enabling innovation, we will continue to support endeavors like this to meet the urgent needs of the public especially during this outbreak,” he said.
UST and DLS-CSB face shields
With safety and durability as the main features, the UST and DLS-CSB face shields are patterned after the collaborative design of students from UST, who are mentored by Industrial Design Prof. Manny Dacanay, who teaches in both institutions.
“As to how it actually developed, within the Industrial Design faculty, members were doing separate initiatives along with alumni, and eventually came into a united front when we all discussed and shared our ideas online,” DLS-CSB Industrial Design Chairman Romeo Catap Jr. said.
The team have likewise coordinated their efforts with the De La Salle Philippines, DLSU-College of Engineering, Benilde’s Fashion Design and Merchandising Program and the Benildean Industrial Designers to acquire and produce their own PPE substitutes for frontliners.
The group of volunteers resulted in a mix of Industrial Design faculty, students and graduates assembled by Industrial Design Professor and alumnus Joseph Rastrullo, supported by School of Design and Arts Dean Architect Asela Domingo and Associate Dean Architect Choie Funk.