3D Hubs launches COVID-19 manufacturing fund to rapidly-produce crucial equipment
3D Hubs B.V., an online manufacturing platform headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, has launched a fund to manufacture critical parts for crucial equipment for COVID-19 initiatives. The company explained that, globally, initiatives have been launched to help with the rapid development and production of such equipment, but many are struggling to access the funds and manufacturing capacity required to act quickly.
In order to increase accessibility to crucial equipment, 3D Hubs has launched the COVID-19 Manufacturing Fund, connecting these projects with both the funds and means of production they need to rapidly produce vital equipment such as protective masks and ventilator parts.
The company believes its global network of manufacturing partners places 3D Hubs in a unique position to offer such projects access to a virtually unlimited manufacturing capacity that is able to sustain the rapid production of parts. The fund will reportedly provide access to various manufacturing technologies including Additive Manufacturing, injection moulding and CNC machining. The company states that this capacity and speed is vital to producing parts in these times of crisis.
3D Hubs reports that in less than twelve hours after launching the fund, it has raised over $18,000. The company has so far partnered with Make4Covid and The University of Denver to manufacture up to 10,000 protective face shields for hospitals in Denver, Colorado, USA. Key components for the Prusa face shield RC2 are reportedly being produced to be used in hospitals that are facing shortages. 3D Hubs has also partnered with Project Open Air to work on ventilator splitters to increase the capacity of existing ventilators.
“Thousands of designers and engineers around the world are stepping up to design parts for life-saving applications,” commented Brian Garret, Co-founder and CPO of 3D Hubs. “We want to make sure these parts reach those in need as soon as possible. By launching this fund, and committing our global manufacturing capacity, we’re accelerating these initiatives as fast as we can.”
