3D Printing and COVID-19, April 20, 2020 Update

21 Apr, 2020

The Shell Technology Center Amsterdam (STCA) is using its 3D printers to produce a number of medical products in the Netherlands and abroad. With a foundation called Air Wave, the oil giant is developing a new face mask that uses a motor to filter air, similar to those used in asbestos remediation. One particular issue with such a mask is the loud sound of the motor, which can distract a medical worker. Shell is in the process of modifying the mask to reduce the noise and airflow from the device in an oxygen tight environment, virtually eliminating the chance that particles will enter the parts during printing.


Via British Shell, the petro company is 3D printing face masks with varying levels of hardness so that the area touching the wearer’s face is the softest. Shell is also lending its efforts to a team at TU Delft, who have developed a ventilator for Dutch hospitals. Shell is printing the nylon connectors and housing for electrical equipment. So far, the conglomerate has printed parts for 80 ventilators. Additionally, Shell has printed 35,000 clips designed to secure face masks.


Goodyear is also making face shields, starting with the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, for whom the tire maker made 500 face shields using its own 3D printers. Others performing similar tasks are Titan Robotics, which is using its large-scale pellet extrusion system, Atlas, to print face shield brackets at a rate of one per 5.5 minutes in the U.S. In Italy, Weerg and PressUP have made 500 face shields. Nexteer Automotive is making face shields in Poland, aiming at a rate of 100 per day. Paragon Rapid Technologies and RPS have made over 5000 face shields for hospitals in North East England. FIT AG has so far delivered 5,000 filter carriers using a drive-in service in Germany.


3D Systems has contributed its efforts to the production of nasal test swabs. The availability of testing systems and trained staff varies from location to location, with Todd Goldstein, director of 3D Design and Innovation at Northwell Health, indicating that Northwell’s providers had no issue with machines or staff, but needed to ensure a steady supply of test swabs.



Plastic tool and industrial parts maker Extol has developed a 3D printable adapter for respirator/filter face masks that can be used in place of N95 masks. This allows firefighters and emergency medical personnel to extend the lives of their N95 masks. Masks can be requested on this page. Extol is working on creating pre-cut filters with the masks, but filters can otherwise be created by cutting out other antimicrobial masks.


Daimler AG, with its Mercedes-Benz subsidiary, has responded to the COVID-19 outbreak in a number of ways. It is making face shields using 3D printers at its Mercedes-Benz plant, so far making 2,000 such devices. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team is a part of a larger consortium of Formula one teams that are producing CPAP devices that are already in use in other hospitals. The information for making the devices is available online.