covid-19 face shields

Do you need a face shield for your work on the front lines of this public health crisis? Are you located in Kansas?

HOW WE ARE HELPING

When the coronavirus public health crisis began, we knew we wanted to help.

Groover Labs has been working on three separate efforts. We started by sewing cloth masks and then began collaborating to supply 3D-printed headbands for face shields based on a design by PrusaPrinters. Concurrently, we also began investigating other face shield designs that could be produced on our laser cutters, using materials that could be easily cleaned and reused.

A clear plastic face shield can provide an additional barrier between a health care worker and an infectious patient. It reduces the risk of viral transmission via airborne droplets and reduces the virus load on face masks worn underneath a face shield. Face shields are currently in short supply due to the overwhelming and immediate demand.

LASER CUT DESIGN

Once we recognized the immediate need for PPE, the staff at Groover Labs moved quickly to obtain the necessary materials (4’x8’ sheets of PETG plastic) to provide up to 2,000 face shields. These large PETG sheets have become extremely hard to acquire, so one of our early goals was to create a face shield design that used the material most efficiently. Each face shield requires only a piece of clear PETG sheet measuring 9.5” x 12” along with one widely available non-latex tourniquet band.

Another early goal was that the face shield wouldn’t require any 3D printed parts, which makes the face shield faster to produce, easier to clean, and able to be shipped flat. While there are other ongoing efforts to produce similar face shields, we believe the design we are producing is especially efficient in its use of time and material for manufacturing and is the best use of the limited PETG sheets we have on hand. We can make up to 1000 face shields per day with our existing laser cutters and staff.

DESIGN/USABILITY GOALS

• Covers the front and side of user’s face

• Has good optical transparency

• Is easily assembled

• Is easily adjustable with a stretchable band

• Is comfortable to wear for up to 12 hours continuously

• Is easily cleaned for reuse

FABRICATION GOALS

• Primary source material: clear PETG or PC sheet, 0.5mm to 0.75mm thick

• Quick production using our 100w CO2 laser cutter

• Efficient use of constrained material supply

• Provide a complete kit - no extra tools or material required

• Can be shipped in a flat envelope

• No 3D-printed components

• Open Source design

SUGGESTIONS FOR CLEANING FACE SHIELD

Our face shield is made from a thin clear PETG plastic sheet and a non-latex tourniquet band. These materials can be cleaned using common methods that don’t involve temperatures over 160F (71C). This article by PrusaPrinters discusses tested methods that work for similar types of products and use isopropanol or household bleach solutions.

Assembly Instructions

Supplies are limited, and we are currently fulfilling orders for local pickup only, in quantities up to 100. We will send you an invoice; payment is required in advance.

Legal Disclaimer: This face shield design and specifications are being provided as a free service to the community during this public health emergency. This product has not been cleared for medical use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product has not been evaluated for the prevention of specific diseases or infections, the filtering of surgical smoke or plumes, the filtering of specific amounts of viruses or bacteria or the killing or reduction of the amount of viruses, bacteria or fungi. Individuals or organizations that manufacture face shields utilizing the design and specifications are responsible for any federal or state regulatory requirements that apply to the manufacture of face shields intended for medical use, and are responsible for informing health care providers to which the masks are supplied that they are responsible for decisions regarding appropriate personal protective equipment for their personnel. Individuals and organizations are free to use, copy and share this design and specifications, including for commercial manufacture, without payment of any fees or charges, but may not assert ownership in the design and specifications, ownership of which belongs to Groover Labs and/or the individuals who created the design. EXCEPT WHERE SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED BY LAW, NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND ARE OFFERED FOR THE FACE SHIELD DESIGN AND SPECIFICATIONS, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.