Merced College is making safety gear to help protect health workers against coronavirus

Merced College is pitching in to help protect local health care workers against the coronavirus, by using a 3D printer to create components to make medical face shields.

The college said distribution of the shields is part of a statewide effort to increase production of personal protective equipment to aid in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first batch of 25 completed face shields was delivered Friday to Mercy Medical Center Merced, officials said.

“The staff that has seen them and used them is really excited about them,” said Bryan Tassey, dean of Merced College’s School of Industry and Manufacturing. “We’re kind of on target to start producing 20 to 25 a day. And then it just depends on the hospital’s need, what type of volume.”

Tassey explained that the 3D printer uses heated plastic to create the portions of the shield that fit around the top of the wearer’s head. A clear, thin sheet of plastic is then fitted to the top portion to complete the protective section of the face shield.

The college already had a longstanding relationship with Mercy Medical Center Merced, given the school’s nursing program, Tassey said.

James Thornburgh, Merced College’s professor of drafting technology, came up with the way to create the components for the shield, Tassey said, thus providing important tools that can be utilized by the hospital.

It takes roughly 12-13 hours to print the components for 10-15 face shields. Working with instructional support technician David Wright, the school is increasing production of shield components for hospital workers.

“It’s been gratifying seeing our team pull together to make this happen,” Tassey said.

Instructors at first built prototypes using the printer, before customizing face shields to the hospital’s specifications.

Merced College’s efforts have been welcomed by hospital officials. “We appreciate that the college is stepping up to provide face masks to our healthcare workers during these trying times,” said Charles Kassis, Mercy Medical Center president and CEO, in a news release.

Merced College President Chris Vitelli said he is proud to see the school making a difference in the community.

“Students enroll in our programs to learn in-demand skills such as drafting and 3D printing technologies, and here is a solid example of how that education can be applied in real-life to make a positive impact,” Vitelli said in the release.

This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 5:00 AM.