With contributions from public and private institutions, more than a thousand units will be manufactured. The first models are already in use in hospitals in the region.

Responding to their motivation to make human and technological capacities available to the regional community, a group of academicsmic@sy officials of The University of La Serena organized the C19-ULS-3D+ initiative this week, activating a solidarity chain that will allow the manufacturing of face shields for health personnel in the Coquimbo Region in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The idea was born during teleworking and initially summoned a dozen academicsmic@sy ULS officials associated with the faculties of Sciences and Engineering, and is part of an alliance with other national universities to form a solidarity network that supports the fight against the pandemic.

Face shields are additional protections to the traditional mask that allow the entire face of health personnel to be covered, helping to prevent contagion. The model to be produced was selected from several open code options, considering the speed of production, the materials needed and the usefulness for health personnel.

“As this is an emergency, reducing manufacturing times allows us to generate more shields. In addition, it is key that the product is useful for health professionals. Considering all these factors, modifications have been made until reaching a definitive model that is quick to obtain and does not present condensation,” explains Raquel Salinas, administrator of the Technology Center of the ULS Faculty of Engineering.

The developed model is manufactured in 3D printers, using 1,75 mm PLA filament, 300 micron transparent mica and elastic, with times ranging between 1 and 2 hours maximum production per unit, depending on the printer model.

Today there are 14 3D printers that the University authorized to move to the homes of the members of this project to start production. In addition, 4 of them had a 3D printer in their residences and they also made them available to this initiative.

“It has been a collaborative and highly rewarding teleworking. It motivates us to contribute with what we know and have as academics and as an institution, helping to care for the most exposed health professionals who need so much today to have more materials to care for people's lives," says Rodrigo Olivares, Director of the Construction Engineering School.

First deliveries

Parallel to the production, another ULS team works on the management of contributions, contacting institutions and people who want and can buy supplies (filaments, micas and elastic) for this purpose. Until today, the C19-ULS-3D+ initiative has requests for more than 3 face shields, with contributions of supplies, both from hospitals in the region and from the Regional Corporation for Productive Development.

“We call on companies and unions in the Coquimbo Region, and also natural persons who can contribute supplies. As a University we can receive this contribution in materials and transform it into face shields for medical teams. Those who want to contribute to this initiative can contact us by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or WhatsApp +56 9 62470324 ”, indicates César Espíndola, an academic from the Department of Industrial Engineering.

We have a new channel to coordinate your contributions in supplies: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +56 994350491.