Like many other brands in the fashion space, sportswear giant adidas has repurposed its California-based manufacturing facilities to produce 3D-printed face shields for the medical community. The initiative is headed by adidas, in partnership with its digital manufacturing partner Carbon.
For the 3D-printed face shields, the collaborators are utilizing Carbon's 3D-printed lattice structures to create innovative molds. This approach allows the enhancement of "the overall comfort of the product," as well as an "increase [in] printing times." As of right now, more than 18,000 3D-printed face shields are produced per week.
Carbon has also reportedly opened up the medical print files to its entire network which means that anyone with its brand of printer can start manufacturing face shields for members of their community.
3D-Printed Face Shields
Carbon & adidas are Providing COVID-19 Relief with Protective Equipment
Trend Themes
1. 3d-printed Face Shields - Opportunity for 3D printing companies to collaborate with medical industry to produce protective equipment at a faster rate.
2. Fashion Brand Repurposing - Fashion brands can repurpose their manufacturing facilities to contribute to COVID-19 relief efforts by producing essential protective equipment.
3. Open-source Collaboration - Open-sourcing medical print files enables wider participation from 3D printing community in producing face shields for their local communities.
Industry Implications
1. Sportswear Manufacturing - Sportswear manufacturers like adidas can explore 3D printing technology to create innovative and comfortable face shields for the medical community.
2. 3D Printing - 3D printing companies can capitalize on the high demand for protective equipment by collaborating with medical industry to produce 3D-printed face shields.
3. Fashion Industry - Fashion brands can contribute to COVID-19 relief efforts by repurposing their manufacturing facilities to produce 3D-printed face shields for healthcare professionals.