During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, NASCAR’s R&D Center began focusing on producing 3D printed personal protective masks and shields for local healthcare workers and first responders. After contacting the Piedmont Plastics Charlotte branch, we were able to donate the materials they needed for the project.
Just before North Carolina announced their stay-at-home order in 2020, the Center just received a new 3D printer. After experimenting with two prototypes, the Center was able to review the designs with a local health care professional and began producing them. The Center made 200 masks and donated them to that local health group, however orders began coming in from across the country.
The reaction of these healthcare workers has been generally grateful, and the need for these items is great. No compensation was requested for these masks and this project was 100% donation based. Piedmont was proud to donate these materials, especially for a great cause.
The masks are made by printing two separate parts – one for the top that goes against your forehead, and one for the bottom that maintains the curved shape of the shield. Their machine was able to print three masks every two hours, and a team of volunteers monitored the machine around the clock.
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