All across our community and our country, businesses are finding ways to pivot and support the emergency efforts of COVID-19. Here we highlight Austin Young Chamber Corporate Members who have found ways to make a difference. If you are interested in contributing your member story, please contact us here.
re:3D is working on a number of different projects related to 3D printing and COVID response. Our Houston factory is helping to support two efforts. The first is supporting the efforts of TXRX and the amazing maker-community organizing taking place around Houston. re:3D is donating 3D printed face shields as well as hosting a community donation box for makers in the Clear Lake area who are printing the face shields at home.
At our factory, the batches are consolidated and sent to TXRX for assembly and distribution to hospitals and first responders in the Houston area. Second, the re:3D design team is working on a custom face shield design, in conjunction with doctors from the Texas Children’s Hospital. The new design incorporates a pre-cut clear plastic face shield with a 3D printed holder/headband.
In Austin, re:3D is starting to rally the local maker community. While there are a number of people working on the 3D printed PPE issue in the Austin area, re:3D is hoping to help organize the community. The Austin team is designing hands-free door pulls, and we will be releasing all of the 3D printable open-source designs that we have created, including face shields, door pulls and anything else we develop, free of charge.
We are opening Austin community drop boxes at multiple locations where anyone who 3D prints can donate their COVID-19 parts. location information will be released as soon as it’s finalized. Anyone who wants to volunteer and find out more information should fill out this form.
In Puerto Rico, re:3D is supporting efforts led by Engine-4 on 3d printing face masks and ventilator splitters. Our Gigabot has been relocated from Parallel18 to Engine-4 to print for this effort and we are hosting weekly calls for healthcare professionals, designers and makers to organize the community to support creating PPE unique to the needs on the island.
We are connecting with every Gigabot owner on the island to help them join the cause.
By Michael Strong and Charlotte Craff
Michael Strong is the Chief of Staff and Charlotte Craff is the Community Liaison for re:3D, a large-format 3D printer manufacturer and service provider. re:3D is an Austin Young Chamber Corporate Member.
