Men’s shed members happy to help NHS
3D printed visors protect heroes on the frontline
Kinross and District Men’s Shed (KDMS) is doing its bit for the common good during the coronavirus crisis by making face shields for key workers.
Members are using 3D printers to produce the polylactic acid (PLA) face shields and orders have been coming in from organisations and businesses at a fantastic rate, according to chairman David Connor.
He explained: “KDMS wanted to help and one of our shedders Jim Forbes started working in his shed at home to come up with a solution to meet the demand for this lifesaving protective equipment.
“The shedders have really stepped up and there is a team of around 12-15 of us involved in taking and recording orders, administration, printing, assembly, quality checks and delivery.
“More and more shedders are becoming involved each day to lend a helping hand to this cause.
“Orders are coming in thick and fast from NHS workers, carers, testing hubs, postal workers and shop workers across Ayrshire, Perthshire, Fife, Forth Valley and Clackmannanshire.
“We had to set up a business model quickly and efficiently to get this right.
“Everything is done safely from our homes and we communicate through phone and video calls.
“We have fulfilled over 100 orders so far and now have an order for 100 more.
“We have been receiving photographs and video calls from the key workers when they have received their face shields and it makes everything that we are doing worthwhile.”
Jim Forbes (81) added: “Every single item is checked and the shield comes with an instruction leaflet for the end user.
“We initially had our one shed 3D printer and my machine but now Culture Perth and Kinross has dedicated its five printe bringing us up to seven solely dedicated to this task.
“A local lady in Powmill who has been printing hundreds of shields has also bought herself another one and offered that second printer to help us if she has any free space.
“We are now able to produce an output of 40-50 shields per day.
“When it comes to delivery, there is obviously no contact.
“The order is simply placed in our gardens when we are notified that the person is on their way to collect.”
But KDMS says supplies of materials for the shields are now running low and the group has set up a Go Fund Me page to raise cash for future orders.
To help members meet demand go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/cjbsr-faceshields and make a contribution.
KDMS has also created assembly instructions, spreadsheets, an instruction leaflet and 3D printer files it is happy to share with other sheds interested in helping its members with orders or wanting to replicate its model in their own local areas.