A team of Florida Polytechnic University faculty, staff, and students are using 3D printers on campus to create components for protective face shields. After the 3D-printed headbands and other pieces are done, they will be assembled at AdventHealth’s Nicholson Center and distributed to the provider’s locations throughout Central Florida.

The effort is in partnership with AdventHealth and will help address the shortage of protective supplies facing healthcare organizations nationwide.

“In this time of crisis, we are happy to be able to help because we have the equipment and the facilities to make a difference,” said Dr. Matt Bohm, director of industry engagement and capstone projects at Florida Poly.

The face shield components are being printed on 20 of the University’s 3D printers, and an additional 10 printers will get to work in the next few days. Depending on the printer, one to two headbands can be produced in four to five hours. Bohm said he hopes 3,000 to 4,000 face shield components can be completed by the end of April.

Bohm is part of a team of eight at Florida Poly that is working to complete the face shield components. They are ensuring their own health and safety by only allowing one person in the lab at a time and sanitizing tools after they are used.