MONROE – It takes approximately an hour-and-a-half to 3D print the visor portion of a face shield.
Then, additional materials including plastic sheets, an elastic cord and foam are used to fully assemble the shield.
That is what Steve Hrubes, Maker Studio coordinator at the Monroe Township Public Library, is doing with the library’s 3D printer from his home.
So far, 130 face shields have been made and donated to health care professionals
“After the library closed to the public, I was trying to figure out an additional way to use the library’s resources for the benefit of the community,” he said. “Having read about the lack of PPE (personal protective equipment) at hospitals, I did a little research and ran across an article of a 3D printer company in New York that had developed a 3D printable face shield.”
Hrubes contacted the company, Budmen Industries, a technology, art and design business, for more details.
“Their design has undergone review in a clinical setting and is approved by the National Institutes of Health,” he said.
With support of Monroe Township Library Director Leah Wagner, Hrubes uses the library’s 3D printer from his home to make the shields.
Face shields have been donated to Saint Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick, Jersey City Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, Monroe Village Senior Living Community, My InstaDoc Urgent Care of Marlboro and Monroe Park Pharmacy.
For more information, visit www.monroetwplibrary.org/.