3D printing is na advantage against the pandemic and new products are being born at INEGI
15-06-2020
Speed, low cost and customization - these are the keywords that characterize additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. The technology was already an asset for the industry by accelerating product development and reducing time-to-market, and it is now proving to be an important asset in combating the health crisis.
Knowing the potential of this new printing technology, INEGI, which has special capabilities in this field, is developing a set of products to help those at the forefront of combat the pandemic, and also respond to societys needs to reduce the potential for contagion.
“In view of the hospital environment but also the «new normal» of places where we spend a lot of time, we are developing components for mechanical ventilators, less invasive swabs for individual tests, more efficient supports for individual protection visors, disinfectant gel dispensers and hands-free devices for doors and other equipment”, says Jorge Belinha, responsible for the project at INEGI.
And what do these products have in common? Additive manufacturing, which will support its development and prototype production.
"Although not suitable for mass production, 3D printing will be used to design and produce functional prototypes at full scale, to be tested and calibrated by clinical partners in a real scenario", says the coordinator. "In a second phase, industrial partners will come into play to mass produce these products using injection molding technologies, also with our specialized support".
Project born of voluntary initiative and now FCT funding
The project “Assisting the prevention and control of COVID-19 with 3D printing solutions” is one of the 66 that will receive funding from for Science and Technology Foundation (FCT), under the “Research 4 Covid-19” program. The exceptional program aims to finance research and development projects and initiatives, already underway or to be developed, that answer the needs of the National Health Service (SNS) in its intervention in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.
INEGI’s initiative was born, however, from a voluntary production line that in March and April involved the mobilization of more than 120 3D printers, and made it possible to produce more than 5,000 visors, later donated to hospitals, centers health care, nursing homes, IPSSs and other similar institutions.
Now supported by FCT, the project does not lose its solidarity-driven mission. “We intend to develop functional solutions, and make them available so that they can be printed by anyone, anywhere in the world, for the common good,” says Jorge Belinha.
The project also has the collaboration of INESC-TEC - Institute of Systems and Computers Engineering, Technology and Science and the Vila Nova de Gaia / Espinho Hospital Center, in coordination with the Northern Regional Health Administration (ARN Norte).
Knowing the potential of this new printing technology, INEGI, which has special capabilities in this field, is developing a set of products to help those at the forefront of combat the pandemic, and also respond to societys needs to reduce the potential for contagion.
“In view of the hospital environment but also the «new normal» of places where we spend a lot of time, we are developing components for mechanical ventilators, less invasive swabs for individual tests, more efficient supports for individual protection visors, disinfectant gel dispensers and hands-free devices for doors and other equipment”, says Jorge Belinha, responsible for the project at INEGI.
And what do these products have in common? Additive manufacturing, which will support its development and prototype production.
"Although not suitable for mass production, 3D printing will be used to design and produce functional prototypes at full scale, to be tested and calibrated by clinical partners in a real scenario", says the coordinator. "In a second phase, industrial partners will come into play to mass produce these products using injection molding technologies, also with our specialized support".
Project born of voluntary initiative and now FCT funding
The project “Assisting the prevention and control of COVID-19 with 3D printing solutions” is one of the 66 that will receive funding from for Science and Technology Foundation (FCT), under the “Research 4 Covid-19” program. The exceptional program aims to finance research and development projects and initiatives, already underway or to be developed, that answer the needs of the National Health Service (SNS) in its intervention in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.
INEGI’s initiative was born, however, from a voluntary production line that in March and April involved the mobilization of more than 120 3D printers, and made it possible to produce more than 5,000 visors, later donated to hospitals, centers health care, nursing homes, IPSSs and other similar institutions.
Now supported by FCT, the project does not lose its solidarity-driven mission. “We intend to develop functional solutions, and make them available so that they can be printed by anyone, anywhere in the world, for the common good,” says Jorge Belinha.
The project also has the collaboration of INESC-TEC - Institute of Systems and Computers Engineering, Technology and Science and the Vila Nova de Gaia / Espinho Hospital Center, in coordination with the Northern Regional Health Administration (ARN Norte).
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