Woodlands Robotics Team Designs Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Professionals
Our medical professionals are on the front lines of the pandemic and risking their lies to help others. The Woodlands College Park High School’s robotics team, Texas Torque, has united with other Texas robotics teams to support their local community’s response to COVID-19. These teams have refocused their talents on designing and creating face shields and other requested items for medical professionals in need of personal protective equipment (PPE).
A Conroe pediatrician requested assistance from Texas Torque due to the shortage of PPE by medical staff in the community. The team created a 3D printed design of a face shield and within a few days of modifications, they were able to provide a few dozen prototypes to local doctors to test. Two successful designs were created following additional prototyping and testing.
The robotics teams collaborated to have distributed over 100 of the 3D printed versions thus far and expect another 50 this week. The plastic face shields can be sanitized and reused offering increased durability and protection. The shield designs were provided by Team 148 Robowranglers of Greenville, TX, while waterjet cutting was completed by Team 118 Robonauts of League City, TX.
Texas Torque is further collaborating with engineers at Igloo in Katy to get the Robonauts’ and Robowranglers’ designs die cut in larger quantities or molds made for the 3D printed part of Texas Torque’s version.
The teams have used monetary donations to assist with the cost of production. A ten dollar donation helps produce 2 reusable face shields to protect frontline workers. To donate, please visit their gofundme.com account.
Texas Torque is continuing to discover ways to help the local medical community. The team is in process of designing an intubation box and a downloadable design for a bias tape to help people make surgical mask straps. All designs follow the standard guidelines outlined in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Face Masks.”
SOURCE: Hello Woodlands