initial idea

Ventilation for carers

With the situation of the Coronavirus worsening and a national effort to produce PPE starting, we thought what could we do help out and do my bit? 
As with so many others, we reached out to existing contacts at various companies asking for support to make face visors; this was successful and we received enough plastic sheet and foam to produce 70 visors. However, at the time our workshop didn't have a 3D printer and had no ability to print the head band, so we were reliant on safety goggles to fasten the visor screen to. With demand and lead times for these goggles high, we considered what could we do in the meantime? 
This was around the time horrific images of nurses with bruising and heat rash were being released across the media so it was obvious this was something which needed a solution.

the design process

Standard components

We started by finding generic components with plenty of stock which is unlikely to be used. This includes 40 x 40mm mini computer fans and USB A to A cables.
Once the theory had been proven, we set about designing the fan housing on CAD to be 3D printed.
  • The first 3D print required support material adding expense and increasing print time - Central Scanning modified the design to print on a 45 degree angle without support.
  • Version 2 has increased airflow with more space inside to duct the air over the visor frame where it meets curves and chamfers to direct the air away from the users ear and across their face.
  • Version 3 has the addition of foam and an optional headband mounting strip, to further reduce the weight on the users visor and stop it sliding about - for example whilst moving about a lot.

the people that have made this possible

It wouldn't have been possible to develop this prototype product without the support of several companies. With all that is going on they have gone out of their way to donate materials, supplies and expert advice - Thank You!
Note - any cooling fans manufactured MUST be donated free of charge to healthcare professionals and carers. This is not a business and shall not be profited from.
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