NCR Dundee has responded to the national shortage of PPE equipment for frontline staff by using its 3D printers to help produce face shields.
NCR’s printers are being used to make the headband and then they are being assembled into protective visors to be used by front line staff.
Dundee-based Signature Signs has used its laser cutting equipment to cut specialist shields to be used with the NCR headband.
The visors are already in use at Ninewells Hospital and at two doctor’s surgeries in Dundee.
Lisa Dickson, director of hardware engineering, said: “We received designs from another 3D printing company and they were approved by Ninewells Hospital last week.
“They have very strict guidelines on the designs they are able to use. They’ve got to be able to disassemble them and rebuild them again.
“So far 44 have already been produced given to Ninewells and they are urgently asking for more.”
Face shields were being manufactured at a rate of 12 a day and there were already back orders for the next two weeks.
Shields are also being made for use by NCR’s engineers who are keeping ATM and point of sale terminals running within supermarkets.
“Everybody wants to be able to help any way they can and it was important for us that we’ve been able to help our local hospitals and front line staff,” Ms Dickson added.
Meanwhile Dundee printing firm Tradeprint has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £10,000 to produce 4,000 face shields.
Managing director Charlene Douglas said: “We have all seen the reality of the current situation in producing and supplying protective equipment, delays in production, product not being delivered and shortage of supplies.
“We have a robust and scalable operation which we have mobilised to produce as many face shields as we can.
“While these are not official PPE products we have received many calls for assistance from frontline caregivers who are desperate for our help and we have already sent this equipment to those who have asked for help and they are already in use.
“All monies raised will go purely towards the cost of production and distribution of the product and will not be used in any other way, purely for the benefit of those who are in the greatest need of this type of equipment.”
