Milestone for 3D printers as firm makes 2m face shields

Specialist work to help care workers is set to change manufacturing

Innovative 3D printing experts at Photocentric in Peterborough have manufactured more than two million face shields for health workers.

The triple Queen’s Award winning company turned its expertise to manufacturing personal protective equipment for care workers at the start of the covid outbreak.

Nowthecompany, basedin Oxney Road, says the lessons from the covid crisis that has allowed to it reach the new milestone will enable it to create a new mass manufacturing process free from the constraints of import shortages and a reliance on equipment that is also often made overseas.

The company is also set to use its expertise in the creation of a new UK Centre of Excellence in Peterborough and in the education provided at the planned University of Peterborough.

Paul Holt, founder of Photocentric, said: “A few weeks ago we passed the milestone of making two million face shields – all with 3D printed parts made here in Peterborough, using 3D printers and resin that we made in the same building.

“Without the ability to print millions of items of PPE to help in the pandemic we wouldn’t have had the focus or dedication to make this happen.

“We have now developed a disruptive new process that we will enable the world to make a huge number of items, creating benefits to manufacturing, but it wouldn’t have been possible without covid.”

Photocentric will use its expertise to power its new UK Centre of Excellence for 3D printing that will open in Peterborough next year.

The 3D printing process at Photocentric.

Paul Holt, founder of Photocentric.