3DRap Calls and the Makers Respond: Over 500 Protective Visors Donated to Healthcare Workers

After responding to the appeal from the Brescia Fab Lab by producing 50 of the 500 kits of valves that convert snorkeling masks into emergency respiratory masks for several Italian hospitals in difficulty, and after organizing the same type of work to support the hospital in Ischia, 3DRap, together with the BabaAlRum association and thanks to the support of makers throughout Italy, FabLab Napoli and FabLabMilano, UPS and Eumakers, launched the “Maker for Covid-19” initiative, an exclusively non-profit project for the digital prototyping company based in Mercogliano, in the province of Avellino. Despite the suspension of production activities following the restrictive measures introduced by the Government, the 3DRap team managed to set up a solidarity network in just a few hours. It expanded day after day, involving not only makers, but anyone wishing to contribute by making their technologies available. Everyone joined forces to produce protective visors to donate to healthcare workers fighting Covid-19 on the front line. The kit consists of 3 components: the Plexiglas protective visors, the frame made of PLA (polylactic acid) using 3D printing, and the fastening strap.“We are truly moved by the wave of affection and solidarity we have received,” says Domenico Orsi, Co-Founder of 3DRap.

Visor Donations to Hospitals

 “Italy knows how to give its best in difficult situations, and we are proud to have created the conditions to demonstrate this once again. We managed to donate over 400 visors made using 3D printing and laser cutting: 300 to Moscati Hospital in Avellino; 86 to Frangipane Hospital in Ariano; 14 to Criscuoli Hospital in Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi. These facilities were identified together with the non-profit BabaAlRum association. In addition, thanks to the support of Coordinamento Campania Maker, we were also able to meet the requests received from Marcianise Hospital with 50 visors, as well as from other healthcare facilities in Campania, which received 54 visors.”“The common denominator in these solidarity initiatives,” Orsi continues, “is the collaboration of makers from Campania and Italy in general, which always allows us to achieve our goal and fulfill every request.

Thanks to the Maker Network

For this reason, we extend our deepest thanks to Coordinamento Campania Maker, FabLabMilano, FabLab Napoli, Eumakers, UPS, the Municipality of Mercogliano, and all the makers who are helping us accomplish this small but remarkable undertaking. Special thanks go to the BabaAlRum Non-Profit Association and its president, Carmine Tirri, for deciding to support us by purchasing the materials needed to complete the protective visors we are donating to healthcare facilities throughout Campania. We are proud to have created a national solidarity network that brings together makers, private individuals, and non-profit organizations.”