Ursinus student makes 3D printed face shields to help local organizations
Ursinus student Tiffini Eckenrod (UC’20, History Major) is helping PA organizations in a major way by making and providing 3D printed face shields to individuals and organizations who have a need for protective equipment during this time of crisis. Tiffini is working under the guidance of Maureen Cumpstone (Entrepreneur-in-Residence, U-Imagine Center) and faculty members Casey Schwarz (Assistant Professor of Physics) and Lisa Grossbauer (Instructor of Mathematics). The 3D printers have been graciously donated for home use from the U-Imagine Center and the Math & Computer Science Department. In just under one week Tiffini was able to print 60+ plastic head pieces. These adjustable head pieces will be used to keep a plastic shield in place on the users face and help provide a protective barrier between the user and the environment.
The UC team is a part of a larger network across Berks County called the Berks PPE Resource Network that was formed to produce, collect and distribute 3D printed face shields to help protect some of our most vulnerable members of our community, essential employees and medical workers. To date the network has produced over 7000 face shields and served 105 organizations. Organizations include companies, small businesses, grocery stores, healthcare systems, and police departments. Adelle Shade, Director of the Science Research Institute at Albright College, is part of the team leading this effort. Shade and Schwarz have a history of collaboration and linking students together on interesting projects.
The UC team is also looking to help some local organizations that may be in need. If you are a local organization in need of face shields provided at no cost to you please registered at http://berkspperesourcenet.org/. If you also have a 3D printer and would like to help please or if you would like to volunteer or donate please do so at http://berkspperesourcenet.org/.
Examples of organizations requesting face shields: Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Reading, HCR Manorcare, Berks County Jail System, Tilden Township Police Department, Pottstown Police Dept, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Douglass Township Police Department, Exeter Township Police Department, Laureldale Police Department. Wyomissing Borough Police Department, Mohnton Police, Brecknock Twp Police Dept, Albright College Security, Eye Consultants Of Pennsylvania, Digestive disease associates, Berks Cardiology, Eye Consultants of Pa, Cardiology Care for Children, Integrated Security, Prime Pain Specialists Group.