3D Printing and the Pandemic: Lab Community Joins Together to Fight COVID-19

As the world takes on the unprecedented challenge of fighting the rapid spread of COVID-19, the healthcare community faces a staggering shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and life-saving medical devices. Since 3D printing has been identified as an ideal solution—the equipment can be printed on demand and the materials can be reused after sterilization—laboratories and manufacturers with 3D printing equipment are stepping in to help. 

These industry heroes are bridging the gap in the resource supply chain by printing desperately needed equipment like headbands for face shields, face masks, nasal swabs and ventilator parts—then donating it or charging only to cover expenses. If there was ever a time to be proud of our industry, it’s now.

With laboratory workloads down an average of 92%, many lab owners across the country are using their downtime to put their 3D printers to work in the fight against COVID-19....