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Facial protection from the 3D printer

©Fraunhofer-Institut für Materialfluss und Logistik IML

©Fraunhofer-Institut für Materialfluss und Logistik IML

The Fraunhofer IML in Dortmund supports the production of medical equipment.

Whether disinfectants, masks or face visors: Medical equipment for protection against the coronavirus is currently in great demand, but many hospitals, medical practices and care facilities are experiencing bottlenecks. Simple manufacturing processes which companies implement locally and on their own initiative, can help here.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) has developed a solution for producing headbands for face visors quickly and efficiently using 3D printing. The basis for this was an open source print template from the printer manufacturer Prusa. The first headbands are already in use at the lung clinic of the university hospital in Essen. Their weight of only 24 grams and the soft material surface increase wearing comfort.

Companies and research institutions that have 3D printers with laser sintering technology and want to help with the production can download the digital construction plan for the headbands online.