From the course: 3D Printing: Short-Run Production
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Case study: Manufacturing personal protective equipment
From the course: 3D Printing: Short-Run Production
Case study: Manufacturing personal protective equipment
- [Instructor] Replacing physical distribution with digital files and on-demand printing seems like an obvious way to use home 3D printers. There's a tempting analogy to personal computers where everyone would have a small, cheap, 3D printer at home to make things. That vision never quite caught on because of materials challenges and the burden on the user compared to just ordering something. However during the COVID 19 pandemic, supply chains were broken as factories had to shut down. Or transportation was not available to keep supplies of parts flowing. The normal supply chain for personal protective equipment was stretched beyond its capacity. Equipment was also needed in unusual places. There was an immediate desire by many people with 3D printers to create that equipment, but there was some early missteps. For one thing, sterilization can be challenging for a 3D printed part. Attempting to sterilize with heat will…
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