EOS launches 3DAgainstCorona platform to support fight against COVID-19
April 1, 2020
EOS GmbH, headquartered in Krailling, Germany, has launched an online platform and LinkedIn group to to allow the Additive Manufacturing community to participate in tackling the challenges caused by coronavirus (COVID-19). The company explained that it is currently developing solutions and utilising its network to facilitate inspirational exchange and it has leveraged its global network of suppliers, partners, customers and the broader EOS community. The open platform features relevant data, impactful projects, and offers valuable files free to download – ready to print.
“Improving people’s lives with the help of 3D printing has always been our aspiration,” stated Marie Langer, CEO of EOS. “The current pandemic now calls for a joint approach, more than ever before. Today, we are asking all supporters to join us in tackling the challenges that lay ahead of us. Let’s do what our technology is enabling us for: Let’s think differently and push the boundaries of what is possible.”
She continued, “We are extremely proud to work alongside so many brilliant minds inside and outside of EOS who are developing and delivering critical solutions for those in need.”
According to EOS, along with supporting the AM community’s response to COVID-19, the company also emphasises its commitment to maintaining a safety first approach as well as focusing on the advantages of AM, such as on-demand capabilities at this crucial time.
Safety first
EOS states that whilst helping is a top priority for the company, it also wants to make sure that the projects it supports are effective, lasting and of a quality that is mandatory when human lives have to be saved. In order to ensure that everything shared on the online platform is safe and a valuable contribution, the company’s global expert team reportedly screens every contribution first to ensure that it meets the high medical standards needed in a pandemic.
During a pandemic, scalable and on-demand capabilities become key
The company explains that the key goal for governments worldwide currently is to maintain adequate patient care. Those fighting COVID-19 on the frontlines are often lacking proper protection equipment due to difficulties in supplying the vast numbers required for healthcare providers. At the same time, the challenges continue while trying to meet the immense demand for medical devices, protective clothing and masks. Federal governments are approaching both traditional and Additive Manufacturing manufacturers to support production scaling of medical equipment needed in a pandemic.
EOS believes that one of the most valuable benefits Additive Manufacturing can contribute in this situation, is that it can help to reduce the sole dependance on traditional supply chains. Based on AM, critical shortages can be more rapidly addressed,a nd traditional manufacturing ramp up is accelerated and further supply chain shortages can be eliminated via digital manufacturing.
Langer added, “We want to provide sustainable support. Current activities range from filling critical needs, to helping repurpose existing equipment or providing rapid tooling for traditional manufacturing. And with a future perspective, digitise critical items to avoid future problems or shortages.”
EOS encourages the AM community to access and participate in its online platform and LinkedIn group to share its #3DAgainstCorona movement.
