Face shields production by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Bataan Peninsula State University has been ramped up with the use of plastic injection technology.
The Bataan Peninsula State University – Additive Manufacturing Research Laboratory (BPSU-AMREL) created a process that combines 3D printing and injection molding in creating face shields at a faster pace but in a more customizable manner.
The project is funded by the DOST – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development.
Two research and development institutes of DOST and the research laboratory in the state university devoted their resources to creating the face shields to be distributed to various hospitals in the country.
DOST Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), led by its Executive Director Engr. Robert O. Dizon, is now doing mass production of face shields using injection mold.
“Initially, we produced 3D printed face shields as our stop-gap measure. But we wanted to help meet the high demand for face shields, that is why we geared up for mass production. We fabricated the mold for the face shield frames at the DOST-MIRDC, and we mass produce using a technology called the plastic injection.
“The frame and the acetate together make up the face shield, these are secured with a garter. We have technology partners who joined us in this cause, and so now we are able to ramp up our production to around 5000 face shields per day,” said Executive Director Dizon.
MIRDC initially produced 40-50 face shields per day through the Additive Manufacturing Center that used five (5) 3D printers.
BPSU-AMREL Project Leader Dr. John Ray Dizon said that they looked at the process of using 3D printing, for creating customizable molds, and injection molding, for mass production of the face shields. He further said that this process can be used as well for other items that need customization but in a smaller quantity.
The Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), another DOST research and development institute, initially delivered to the Philippine Heart Center 100 3D printed face shields. Led by ITDI Director Dr. Annabelle V. Briones, the agency worked 24 hours to produce the face shields and more will be produced by the Philippine Science High School Main Campus with the materials provided by DOST-ITDI.
PSHS had recently lent its facilities to house patients and health workers from the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.
Face shields have been created by various groups to help protect our health workers and frontliners from COVID-19 infection, among them Batangas State University and UP Visayas students.
The DOST and many more groups have leveled up the face shield production to provide hospital frontliners more protective equipment in their fight against COVID-19. Pooling resources, talent, and ingenuity have helped to support our healthcare workers in battling the coronavirus pandemic.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to the DOST-Bataan Peninsula State University collaboration to provide more face shields to our health workers.
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