Corby's RS Components 3D printing experts to join battle for frontline NHS 'heroes'

The company is donating raw materials for 3D printers to make into 20,000 visor frames for health workers
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Staff at Corby electronics giant RS Components (RS) have joined forces with 3D printers across the UK to produce much-need visors for heath staff battling Covid-19.

The company has gone into partnership with the UK's National 3D Printing Society (N3DPS) members to enable them to print off personal protection equipment (PPE) for frontline health workers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

RS has donated 400kg of plastic PLA filament, the raw product used in 3D printers, to N3DPS from end-of-reel-supplies and will also be printing the visor holders at a newly-set-up 'printing farm' at their Corby HQ.

Robbie Dunion who will be taking turns to staff the printing 'farm'Robbie Dunion who will be taking turns to staff the printing 'farm'
Robbie Dunion who will be taking turns to staff the printing 'farm'

Robbie Dunion, who will be helping to staff the farm of ten printers, said: " Most of us know someone who works for the NHS, whether they’re a relative, friend or neighbour.

"They are true heroes, fighting every day to save people’s lives.

"We strongly believe that they shouldn’t have to put their own lives at risk whilst doing that, but sadly that is the reality that we find ourselves in.

"We will do everything that we can to help protect them."

Some of the 3D printersSome of the 3D printers
Some of the 3D printers
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The printing farm is due to start production this week (April 20), boosting the number of 3D printers making visor frames for use by health professionals across the country.

Mr Dunion, 31, social media and outreach manager, added: "By working with the National 3D Printing Society we are able to support healthcare staff and care workers around the country, including those here in Northamptonshire.

"It also enables us to ensure that all visors produced will be correctly assembled and sanitized before being provided to those who need them.

“There has been a real community spirit at the heart of this project from everybody who has been involved. We want the NHS staff to know that the entire RS Components family is by your side.”

The 3D printers have the capacity to produce 1,000 visor holders a weekThe 3D printers have the capacity to produce 1,000 visor holders a week
The 3D printers have the capacity to produce 1,000 visor holders a week
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Plastic filament donated to other 3D printer user is estimated to be enough to produce up to 20,000 visor frames and is available to people who join the N3DPS campaign with their standard visor design which is simple, quick and inexpensive to produce and approved by NHS bosses.

Since the beginning of April, more than 1,500 people have volunteered their time and 3D printers to produce these visors, with weekly production capacity now exceeding 30,000.

Joining forces across the county, Northampton-based plastics manufacturer igus®, which is acting as the main distribution hub and providing its facilities and staff to assemble the visors.

The company has also donated the plastic sheets that are added to each 3D printed frame before they are distributed by MedSupplyDriveUK.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mike Bray, VP of Innovation at RS, said: “In this global pandemic it is critical that we all work together with the same shared goal of keeping frontline staff, health workers and patients safe.

"This collaborative effort among the 3D printing community will go some way to providing PPE that is currently in such desperately short supply amid this crisis.”

If you have a 3D printer, and would like to help, click hereTo produce each complete visor and deliver it safely costs £1.50. To protect 10 staff will cost just £15.00.

The National 3D Printing Society has a Just Giving page for any donations to help towards these costs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Related topics: