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Andrew Morgan is an accountant who uses a Creality Ender 3D printer for sophisticated financial data visualization. And because he’s a dad, he also uses the family’s printer to make dollhouse furniture for his 5- and 7-year-old daughters.
Then, last month, he took on a new project.
“As the COVID-19 virus spread around the world, there were a number of news articles and discussions online about the shortage of ventilator parts in Italy and of personal protective equipment (PPE) globally. I am a member of a number of 3D printing Facebook groups and the discussion there turned to how to print various items such as face shields and face masks.” When Shawn Lim, who runs a robot camp in North York called Bot Camp, posted in the Facebook group Open Source COVID19 Medical Supplies that doctors at Michael Garron Hospital had approved his face shield design, Andrew began printing them in the basement of their East York home.
“It is nice to be able to contribute in a small way to the overall fight against COVID-19,” says Andrew. “We don’t work in healthcare, but since we have a 3D printer at home we can help produce PPE for those on the front line.”
When Andrew’s partner Joanne Boyle found out about the need for mask holders, bands at the back of the head that hold surgical masks in place without injuring the ears, she added a new item to the production schedule.
“I knew that was something we could do easily and wanted to help in any way we could.”
Joanne and Andrew have both involved their daughters.
“Our kids are learning about the process of designing and printing various objects. They are also learning that it is important to help others,” says Andrew.
Joanne says the printing is giving their girls a sense of purpose in a challenging time, teaching them to look for ways they are capable of helping.
“Our daughters think it’s fun, they’ve always loved the printer, and understand that it’s important for everyone to contribute whatever they can.”
So far, they have made more than 80 visors and 50 mask holders, and are still going.
Michael Garron Hospital staff are grateful to the Boyle-Morgan family and everyone else who is contributing to The PPE Drive.
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Michael Garron Hospital is on the frontlines of the COVID-19 epidemic. Support our caregivers by donating and including a personal message of encouragement.
