KraussMaffei Group GmbH acted quickly when hospitals, nursing homes and retirement facilities in Hannover, Germany, were short on personal protective equipment for health care workers treating patients with COVID-19.
The extrusion division at the German machine manufacturer’s Hanover site ventured into production of reusable facial visors made from a transparent film.
“At the moment, three of our staff members are released from their usual job and engaged in visor production. They produce approximately 120 visors per week, around the clock. Our 3D printers are continuously used for visor holder printing, even on weekends,” Matthias Sieverding, president of the extrusion technology segment, said in a news release.
The visors consist of five components: A rigid plastic holder produced on a 3D printer; a rubber strap to secure the visor to the head; a transparent film; and two screws designed to attach the film to the holder.
The visors, which are meant to be worn with a face mask, can protect the eyes in particular from pathogens that could enter the body by airborne infection. The visor is exchangeable and can be cleaned with hot water and disinfected using standard disinfectant spray solutions.
“Visors produced by KraussMaffei are not certified. However, we do not intend to supply bulk buyers, but rather small next-door institutions, which are in desperate need of masks, but are currently finding it difficult to get them,” Sieverding said. “As long as there is a need for facial visors and our effort remains within reasonable limits, we at KraussMaffei will continue producing them.”
Institutions interested in KraussMaffei face protections can send an e-mail to [email protected].