York creatives get together to 3D print safety visors for key workers – and you can help
Dozens of creative makers, council workers, schools and university staff in York are coming together to use their 3D printing skills to fight Covid-19.
Using a design that’s been successfully printed across Europe, the group’s aim is to supply free visors to anyone in York and the surrounding areas who work in shops and other frontline services. But they need 3D printers and money for supplies.
The idea blossomed from talks between York St John University’s music technology teacher David Young and Dave Fleming, Explore York Library & Archives inclusive arts & media coordinator and has attracted support far and wide, including from the Guild of Media Arts.
“The intention is to offer a free safety visor to anyone in contact with the public during the pandemic,” said Chris Bailey, clerk of the guild.
“This includes shop assistants, teachers, cleaners, care workers, transport staff and delivery drivers. Our Guild is just one organisation helping to spread the word about this community-led initiative.”
How to help
The aim is to get as many visor inserts printed as possible to match up with laminate sheets being created by laser cutting companies.
Those who need visors or anyone who can help with materials or printing should email [email protected] with either ‘I have a 3D printer’, ‘I have materials’ or ‘visor please’ in their subject line.
The group is also helping coordinate safe collection and distribution, tech support and materials.
More details are available at 3D Printed Visors for Frontline workers York area Facebook group.
David said:
The majority of those helping are self-employed workers, soon to be unemployed workers, who want to use their skills to support key workers in these difficult times.
If you don’t have a 3D printer you can still make a difference by sharing the group’s Facebook address with your network and donating towards the funding.
This will pay for the cost of printing materials such as plastic filaments, UV lights to sterilise the visors, elastic, and fuel.
The group has set up a GoFundMe page. Any money left unused will be donated to Cavell Nurses Trust.
The initiative has already raised £2,340.