As part of De La Salle University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty members from the Gokongwei College of Engineering are developing face shields for hospitals and the Philippine National Police.
The initiative is led by GCOE Dean Dr. Jonathan Dungca, University Fellow and Manufacturing Engineering and Management (MEM) Full Professor Dr. Elmer Dadios and MEM Full Professor Dr. Ryan Rhay Vicerra.
Dr. Argel Bandala of the Electronics and Communications Engineering Department and Dr. Armyn Sy and Engr. Marlon Musngi of the MEM Department spearheaded the 3D printing of the visors.
Other team members are Dr. Nilo Bugtai, Dr. Rosemary Seva, Francisco Munsayac, and Catherine Manuela Ramos.
DLSU responded to the urgent request of De La Salle University Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, and the PNP Explosive Ordnance Device/K9 (EOD/K9) Group for Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
Through the MEM Department and the Intelligent Systems Laboratory, the University has been producing the requested equipment for more than a week now.
The PNP EOD/K9 group headed by Director General Jonathan Ureta provided the logistics to deliver the 3D printer materials needed for the fabrication and to escort personnel for the travel of DLSU members.
The team’s face shield is based on universal specifications prescribed by medical practitioners, and the design is available online.
“We already started giving face shields to the PNP EOD/K9 group, and as of the moment, we have 50 face shields for DLSU Medical Center and another 50 more for the PGH for distribution,” says Dr. Dadios.