3D Printing Face Shields for a Local Hospital

When the email came in at 8:50 pm on Sunday evening, April 5 with the subject “help with 3D printing face shields,” of course the answer was “yes”.

We had two 3D printers sitting idle at our school, and one of our parents trying to source PPE (professional protective equipment) for his physician wife’s local hospital.

Quickly we came up with a plan.

A staff member checked out a 3D printer code from the University of California San Francisco and confirmed that our printers could handle its dimensions. The staff member then picked up the printers and took them home, along with our 3D filament, and from there the printing began.

3D Printing PPE Face Shield Holders

Each face shield holder took about 2 hours to print, so we were thrilled when our staff member handed off the first batch of 30 holders on Wednesday, April 8 and we received a photo of the finished product from the physician. These unique quarantine days require creative problem solving and a willingness to be part of the solution. We are so grateful to help our school and community at large in this small way… and the 3D printers are still printing!

The photos show the 3D printed mask pieces, the finished mask, and McGinnis Woods student Leah with her mom, who is truly a healthcare hero!