The global pandemic Covid-19 is sweeping fast across continents affecting millions of lives and changing the way we live. Worldwide, health authorities and scientists are racing against time to find ways to contain the further spread of the virus.
Two teams of FEU Tech students and alumni have accepted the challenge to provide solutions, from speeding up the detection of virus carriers and creating 3D-printed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to help the country and its frontliners.
The FEU Tech Shell-Eco Marathon Team led by Team Manager Lance Velasco, along with members of the online group "3D Printing for a Cause PH", are creating 3D-printed face shields in their own homes to be donated to hospitals all over the country for the safety of COVID-19 frontliners.
The Mechanical Engineering students repurposed their 3D printers,
originally meant to produce prototypes for their car entry in the Shell Eco-Marathon this April,
to create headpieces for the face shields. The team is able to deliver 40 face shields every day.With their virtual designing knowledge in prototyping using 3D printers, they were able to produce an out-of-the-box solution and apply it to the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) shortage crisis that our country is facing right now due to the continuing rise of COVID-19 cases.
There are obstacles here and there like sourcing supplies for acetate and foam, but Lance and the team remain optimistic, "The perseverance of our frontliners in helping those in need inspires us to continue producing these protective equipment."
For them, all these sacrifices and hard work are but a fraction of what the modern-day heroes go through every day. To be able to aid in their fight against the pandemic is already an honor for their team.
Do you have a 3D printer at home?
You too can be an FEU Tech student volunteer and help in printing face shields for our frontliners.
Email covid19innovations@feutech.edu.ph todayThe Shell Eco Marathon Team is composed of:
- Lance Hennric L. Velasco (Manager)
- Dakes Nicholas M. Ballano
- Glenn Ethan L. Cadorna
- Jerico Michael B. Capulong
- Elly John R. Castro
- Benjamin Gan
- Jan Michael P. Gonzales
- John Wells D. Ibarra
- Jerome James G. Jim
- Justinn Vincent L.F. Lai
- Peter Paul C. Manguilin
- Romuel Angelo Penafiel
- Leland Robinson C. Tan