Niall uses 3D printers to make PPE at home
HAVING become one of the thousands of Irish people to be placed on temporary leave due to the coronavirus, Niall Whitty found that he suddenly had a lot of time on his hands.
However, unlike most of us, the 24-yearold Gorey man has a skillset which enables him to address one of the biggest shortages brought about by the pandemic.
A graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), Niall has a background in Product Design and with that comes a knowledge of how to make vital PPE equipment from the comfort his own home.
Using a 3D printer, Niall has started to make face shields and ear protectors for use in hospitals and nursing homes throughout the country.
He explained how the process works: ‘ There’s a standard file being used by the National 3D Printing Society which I’ve downloaded and put onto the printer. From there, it’s just a case of putting the plastic in; it’s like a roll of spaghetti, you feed it into the machine and it prints out the PPE equipment. Each one takes about 90 minutes to make.’
With each piece of equipment taking so long to print, Niall decided to try and expand his operation, to increase his output to meet demand. In order to do so he had to purchase some new printers, and they don’t come cheap.
Relying on the generosity of the general public, he set up a GoFundMe page with a target of €1,500; enough to buy two new printers and cover all associated costs.
That target was met within 24 hours, and the donations continue to come in.
‘I really wasn’t expecting the GoFundMe to reach its target so quickly, it’s been great to see it. People can continue to donate, any money that doesn’t get used to make PPE I’ll donate to the local hospitals.
‘ The money will be used to cover costs and delivery, and the electricity bill – I don’t think my mother would be too happy if I didn’t cover that. Because it’s not a large scale production and I’m making them on my own, I can only make approximately 30 a day,’ Niall said.
Having bought the two new printers from an Irish company in Carrick-on-Shannon, Niall is now ready to begin his new working life, one involving busy 12-hour days.
‘I’m approaching it as a 12-hour working day. I’ll turn the three printers on and start a new batch of equipment, but I don’t have to be there all the time, I can reply to emails and process orders while I wait for them to print.
‘When they come out, I’ll disinfect them in the house before sending them away. I’ve already been in touch with the local hospitals and Valentia Nursing Home to see if they want some.’
And when it comes to delivering the PPE to those on the frontline, Niall has received a further offer of support from a team of like-minded individuals.
‘ The guys at Bravo Charlie Tango have offered to come and collect them and deliver them to wherever they need to go. They’re a group of motorcyclists who’ve been bringing equipment to hospitals throughout the country,’ Niall said.
You can donate to Niall’s GoFundMe at www.gofundme.com/f/help-keep-ourfrontline-heroes-safe