Employees and students of Wrocław University of Science and Technology have joined the campaign to produce protective gear that can be used by doctors during the ongoing epidemic. Thanks to the use of 3D printing technology, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering is producing protective visors, among other types of protective gear.

- Due to the current situation, many initiatives are being undertaken in the country and other parts of the world, under which volunteers support health care workers. One of such drives is the incremental production of protective gear, including visors. At WUST’s Department of Laser Technology, Automation, and Production Organisation, six devices have been activated, already resulting in almost 150 units having been produced - says  Head of the Department, University Professor Tomasz Kurzynowski, PhD, DSc, Eng.

Apart from direct printing and preparation of the visors to be assembled, the employees together with students of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering have optimised the visor design made available to them by the company Prusa Research.

- The model has been optimized to enable the replacement of the hard-to-come-by PVA/PETG sheet, used for the front screen, with A4 size binding film. Moreover, the printing time has been shortened and the comfort of using the visor has been improved - explains Professor Kurzynowski.

Now, based on this design, activists and volunteers from Wrocław and the surrounding area can print visors for local and nearby hospitals. - The demand for this type of protective gear is constantly growing and currently amounts to over 2,400 units - adds Professor Kurzynowski.

Owners of 3D printers are welcome to join the action. All details can be found in the coordination group for Wroclaw and the surrounding area.

For those who can’t print or assemble their visors but still want to support the initiative, there is a non-profit collection, founded by a student of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering - more information on the website.