America Makes launches repository for COVID-19 health care needs
March 30, 2020
America Makes, Youngstown, Ohio, USA, the country’s National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, has initiated the next phase of its response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) by launching the COVID-19 Health Care Needs and Additive Manufacturing (AM) Capabilities Repository. Established in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the repository will mean users can upload AM designs to be reviewed and placed on the NIH 3D Print Exchange.
According to the institute, the designs submitted through the America Makes design submission form in connection with NIH 3D Print Exchange, will be placed in a fast track workflow for faster review. Designs not submitted through the America Makes process may not be considered for the fast track workflow. All designs will reportedly be publicly accessible through the NIH 3D Print Exchange website with its designation.
“We have seen so much innovation throughout the additive manufacturing industry related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated John Wilczynski, Executive Director of America Makes. “The question we’ve repeatedly been asked is ‘are these products safe and reliable in a healthcare setting?’ The design portion of the repository seeks to put clarity around that question for both manufacturers and providers. We believe it is a critical part to allowing the additive industry to effectively meet the needs of front line health care workers.”
