Medtronic In Warsaw Building Face Shields In Response To COVID
WARSAW – Medtronic workers in Warsaw are using 3D-technology to produce shields that will be distributed across the country in an effort to prepare healthcare workers for the COVID-19 outbreak.
Last week, Warsaw Engineering was contacted by Product Development at Operation Headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn., with an opportunity to help support national health care professionals.
The Medtronic network is working in a group effort, led by Stratasys, to bring the company’s network of 3D printing capabilities together to produce much-needed face shields and help supply hospitals with supplies needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said in a statement.
The U.S. is experiencing a shortage of supplies for healthcare workers, and Medtronic in Warsaw is rapidly moving to assist and help in the crisis.
Engineering Manager Ray Blair is leading a team that includes Stacy Grubbs, Scott McDevitt and Mike White.
Within five hours ,work was in production and the first group of 60 units was ready for shipping by Friday morning, March 27.
The team has established a schedule to ensure the face shields are produced 24/7 with an expected output of 200 units per week, the company said.
Once manufactured, the face shield will be shipped to Minneapolis for distribution to needed U.S. medical workers to aid in the fight against the COVID-19 virus.
The goal of the Medtronic manufacturing / Stratasys network is to produce over 5,000 face shields over the next week and potentially continue production until supplies reach needed levels across the U.S., the company said.